Pete Brown, the famed lyricist for Cream, has died at age 82 after a long battle with cancer. His death was announced by the family of the band's bassist and songwriter, the late-Jack Bruce. Pete Brown will forever be remembered for his classic lyrics to such Cream standards as “I Feel Free,” “White Room,” “Politician,” “SWLABR,” and the band's signature tune, “Sunshine of Your Love.”
Bruce's family posted a message on Facebook, which reads in part:
We are extremely saddened to learn of the death of Jack’s long-term friend and writing partner Pete Brown who passed away last night.
Together, Jack and Pete wrote many of Cream's iconic songs. . . Pete and Jack continued to collaborate throughout Jack’s solo career, right up to Jack’s final studio album Silver Rails released in 2014.
Pete’s unique poetic genius has the ability to conjure up the most incredible imagery and we are so very thankful for his momentous contributions to the world of poetry and music.
We extend our sincere condolences to Pete’s wife Sheridan and Pete’s children as well as all his family and friends.
Love from the Bruce family
Not long before his death in 2014, Jack Bruce recalled to us the series of events that led to the formation of Cream with himself, Eric Clapton, and the late-Ginger Baker — arguably Britain's first “supergroup”: “I did play briefly with Eric in John Mayall’s band. . . he left the band, and then I left the band, and then I joined Manfred Mann for a while. . . to pay the rent; I was just getting married. Ginger had the idea of Cream; it was his idea. He approached Eric, and Eric said that he would love to do it but only if I was in the band and I was the singer. So that was how it came about. It was Ginger’s idea.” (22 OC: . . . was Ginger’s idea)
In addition to his work with Cream, Pete Brown also formed the band Brown & Piblokto!, collaborated with Graham Bond and Phil Ryan, served as a screenwriter, and owned his own production company.