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Today’s Music News: Cream bassist Jack Bruce dies at 71

by Staff

October 27, 2014

As bassist for CreamJack Bruce was part of the group—along with guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker—who helped to define the concept of a "power trio." On Saturday morning, Bruce's family confirmed that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee had died, at his home in Suffolk, at the age of 71. A cause of death was not announced, but Bruce had suffered from liver disease. "He was a great musician and composer, and a tremendous inspiration to me," said Clapton. (Rolling Stone)

"Thriller is allegedly the best album of all time," writes Chris Rock, "and that has at least two bad songs on it. There's no 'Baby Be Mine' on Purple Rain." The comedian pays tribute to Prince's album in the current issue of Billboard, as part of a tribute to the year 1984—which Billboard agrees with Rolling Stone was the greatest year in pop history, thanks in large part to Prince. "We were all like," remembers Rock, who was living in Brooklyn at the time, "'Where the f--k is Minneapolis?'" Rock will host Saturday Night Live on Nov. 1, when Prince and 3RDEYEGIRL will be musical guests.

Martin Scorcese will be producing an official documentary about the Grateful Dead, to be directed by Amir Bar-Lev. The film, reports Rolling Stone, "will be stuffed with never-before-seen archival footage plucked from the Dead's vaults, live performances and new interviews with band members."

Looking for a wedding DJ? Paris Hilton may be available—for $675,000. The hotel heiress and reality TV star reportedly earned $2.7 million for four nights' work DJing in Ibiza this summer. (NME)

Run the Jewels officially release their new album, RTJ2, on Oct. 28. But what the heck—they've just dropped the whole album as a free download, because why not. (Consequence of Sound)

She & Him announced that they'll release their new album Classics on Dec. 2. It's a covers album, recorded with a 20-piece orchestra. (Consequence of Sound)

Klaxons will sound no more: the nine-year-old British indie rock band have announced that their upcoming European tour will be their "last headline tour." It's unclear whether this means they're breaking up or if this is just a Beatles-style tour-no-more thing. (Consequence of Sound)

16 people—many underage—were hospitalized for drug overdoses after Skrillex's Chicago concert on Saturday night. "It’s not fair to make the promoter take care of kids who don’t know how to behave," said the employee who oversaw safety for the show's promoter. (Consequence of Sound)

Nov. 5 will be Britney Spears Day in Las Vegas. Spears, who's had a Vegas residency since December, will be presented with the Key to the Las Vegas Strip. (Billboard)

On Friday, John Denver became the latest musician to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition to his wildly successful music career, the late Denver frequently appeared on TV and in movies—including 1977's Oh God! (Billboard)

A new Jem and the Holograms—yes, the 80s toy rock stars—movie is set for release on Oct. 23, 2015. Scooter BraunJustin Bieber's manager, says the film currently in production is looking amazing; he was "blown away" by preliminary footage. Of course, Braun might be biased: he's producing the movie. (Billboard)

Listen to the Morning Show’s music news roundup on the Current every weekday at 9:00 a.m. to hear Jill Riley and Steve Seel discuss the latest music news.

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