NME News

Cream's Jack Bruce: 'Fuck off, Led Zeppelin, you're crap'

Jack Bruce isn't impressed with Jimmy Page's guitar playing

November 5, 2008 | 42 Comments
Led Zeppelin news RSS feed
More Led Zeppelin news, reviews, videos and tour dates
Post this on Twitter or Follow NME

Former Cream bassist Jack Bruce has described Led Zeppelin as "crap".

Bruce, who reformed Cream with original members Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker for a series of shows in 2005, also slated Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page.

Speaking to Classic Rock, Bruce said: "Everybody talks about Led Zeppelin [reforming], and they played one fucking gig – one fucking lame gig – while Cream did weeks of gigs [during their 2005 reunion]; proper gigs, not just a lame gig like Zeppelin did, with all the [vocal] keys lowered and everything. We played everything in the original keys.

"Fuck off, Zeppelin, you're crap. You've always been crap and you'll never be anything else. The worst thing is that people believe the crap that they're sold. Cream is 10 times the band that Led Zeppelin is."

The bassist then stated that Page is incomparable with Cream guitarist Eric Clapton, describing the Led Zeppelin guitarist as "crap".

Share this story:
Del.icio.us
Digg
Furl
Reddit
Bebo

Follow NME on Twitter

More News:

PREVIOUS Fucked Up add extra London dates this week

NEXT Death Cab For Cutie head out on tour - Ticket News

Buy NME Magazine right now

Subscribe here or get this week's issue delivered to your door

Comments (42)

Add a comment

radi0dave

Nov 5, 2008

Well said Jack I couldn't agree more, but even the thought of reforming again for a tour without plant makes me feel a bit sick. It's almost as bad as Queen without Freddie. Almost...

GreshamFlyer

Nov 5, 2008

Is it 1968 again, NME?

aphexbin

Nov 5, 2008

wow thats a bit harsh, ok that reunion gig was pretty lame but jimmy page isnt crap

vince_vega

Nov 5, 2008

is really disappointing to hear one band that i like slagging of another, one of my all time favourites...

mAttthhheaLy

Nov 5, 2008

there seems to be a bit of jealousy here, doesn't there? "we toured for weeks but they're still more popular... i'm telling!"

gravey

Nov 5, 2008

Clapton is without doubt the single most overrated guitarist in history. Not just my thoughts, but the opinion of a whole raft of polls by guitar players in titles such as Guitar Magazine over the years.

Soundedd

Nov 5, 2008

What planet is he on. Cream are a quality band yes, and Clapton is a god of course, but Led Zeppelin, next level mate, Jimmy Page I love you! Led Zep 4 alone is a better album than Cream's back catalogue!

captaincrunch

Nov 5, 2008

What completely moronic comments by Bruce. Led Zep and Page are so crap that literally millions desperately tried to apply for tickets to last years O2 gig. Made yourself look like a fool Mr Bruce.

BorstalBreakout

Nov 5, 2008

What a sad, bitter little man. I never even knew Cream reformed, and would not have given a fuck if I had known.Led Zeppelin are the greatest hard rock band in history. FACT!Eric Clapton is a dour, miserable cunt with less charisma than Jeremy Kyle.

rubbersoul7

Nov 6, 2008

Bit harsh isn't it. Led Zep are one of the all time greats and are anything but crap. I'm quite surprised Brudce has come out with this. The only thing I slightly agree on is that Clapton is a better guitarist than Page. Not knocking Jimmy by any means, its just that Eric is beyond incredible. Easily one of the finest blues players in history.

ronnyl

Nov 6, 2008

I have always loved and respected Jack Bruce for obvious reasons but I must say I am quite shocked by his infantile comments about Zep/Pagey. Granted, Cream paved the way for Zep's instrumental sound but Zep took things to a whole new level in my opinion. Perhaps Jack was drinking a "strange brew" at the time he made these outlandish comments.

tjcoffey

Nov 6, 2008

Maybe Pagey stole one of Bruce's birds back in the day -- it wouldn't be the first time!! Or maybe Bruce is pissed that Zeppelin outsells Cream in America by an obscene amount. Either way, I don't think Mr. Page gives a fuck about the comments of a musician that hasn't been relevant in 40 years.

lucius

Nov 6, 2008

Eric Clapton's career - 40years of adequacy.Jimmy Page's - 68-77 - 10 years AT THE TOP!"Its better to burn out, than it is to rust"Mr Bruce, you are a prize cock!

Orangeboy

Nov 6, 2008

Haha, great. Also reaffirming my opinion that the reason Plant won't agree to a reunion tour is because his voice ain't up to it anymore. Zeppelin are overrated in my opinion. Although Jimmy Page is and always will be a phenominal guitarist.

Revolver0001

Nov 6, 2008

Led Zeppelin IV doesn't touch most songs off Fresh Cream or Disraeli Gears, my friend.

LINK2K9

Nov 6, 2008

Fuck off, without Clapton Cream would of been shit.

gr33nw00d

Nov 6, 2008

ALRIGHT. ffs, shut up all you fucking led zeppelin fans. both bands are heroes in music history. CLAPTON is definately a better guitarist then page, listen to crossroads live by cream if you don't beleive me. don't be a stubborn rat, none of us will be better then either of them anyway. page is a great guitarist in his own right, but clapton is a freak. led zeppelin are a great band and so is cream. bloody hell...

its_rudimentary

Nov 6, 2008

Blur vs Oasis circa 1970. Get a grip people.

chrispaz

Nov 6, 2008

I don't think you can compare Clapton and Page as guitarists. Clapton is almost exclusively a blues/r&b player, whereas Page turned his hand to many different styles with Led Zeppelin. In terms of playing live, Clapton was more about feeling than speed, and in my opinion he seemed to able to always play the right note at the right time. Page was a better out-and-out rock guitarist and riffmaker, and his sloppyish playing seemed to suit Zeppelin's live playing. I love Cream and Led Zeppelin, but my preference is for Page. It just seems a shame that Jack Bruce had to stick his oar in like that. Fuck knows what his problem is. They're both among the greatest rock & roll bands of all time, just leave it at that.

gazhat

Nov 6, 2008

..........lol......the old guys, better than any shit out there now, not one single modern band can hold a candle to Cream or Zeppelin...funny comments by Mr Baker i thought....

cancelmysubscription

Nov 6, 2008

cream... just about 50 million records sold formed in 66... led zeppelin... over 300 million records sold formed in 68. watch page live, hes a wizard. all you middle aged cream lovers, they're not one of the greatest rock and roll bands ever at all, they're not held in the same vain as the beatles and the stones like zep are.

Soundedd

Nov 6, 2008

cancelmysubscription is so right! You can talk about Tier's in legendary status. Led would be A along with the Beatles, the Stones etc, Cream would be at best a B, possibly a C. And Gazhat how old are you? haha

websterasbo

Nov 7, 2008

a thought noel gallagher was supposed to cream not the other way around i say this as a glaswegien so is jack bruce (i think) but that is just silly zeppelin are class at least when noel popps a cheap shot its at the kaiser cheifs or somebody who deserves it jealousy among legends not cool well jimmy page is a legend jack bruce is a leg - end (penis) i was at the o2 that night and was more than satisfied so stay player haters all yous want i'm into everything apart from penis cream

websterasbo

Nov 7, 2008

eric clapton is a great guitarist first of his kind jimi hendrix took his sunshine then when there fire burned out page's ignited who cares about technicalities ripping off originality nobody rocks like page, or clapton in an icredibly boring way. love him hate him cant be him whos crying jack bruce and eric clapton whos laughing brucie, page is laughing constantly look at his big smile. i witnessed 10.12.07 and it was incredible only 20.000 where there so don't judge the gig if you wernt there lol

gazhat

Nov 7, 2008

.......Soundedd, i'm 35...

andalou

Nov 7, 2008

Jack WHO? Give me a break. Some nobody that was lucky enough to play with Eric Clapton... the fretless wonder is boring and uninspired and even his comments are lack luster. A week from now people won't even be able to remember this name.

Soundedd

Nov 7, 2008

gazhat are you John McCain in disguise

rubbersoul7

Nov 7, 2008

cancelmysubscription, what is that record sales comment all about? So what if Led Zep have sold more? Doesnt mean they are better. And in terms of tiers of status, Cream are definitely an A, anyone that doesnt think so seriously needs to get their ears cleaned out and go and buy Fresh Cream and Disraeli Gears. I have seen both bands live and Cream were definitely miles better. Yes, Page is a wizard, but even he's nowhere near as talented as Clapton.

woodstock135

Nov 7, 2008

My top ten guitarists:Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Carlos Santana, Angus Young, Pete Townshend, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Satriani, Ritchie Blackmore & Randy Roads.Rage Against The Machine

Soundedd

Nov 7, 2008

Thanks for that delight woodstock135, Glad to see Pete Townshend in your list the legend! Respect to gazhat, but do you like any modern bands, say that have come out after 2004?

Revolver0001

Nov 10, 2008

Any of you guys talking badly about Cream who have only ever heard their greatest hits albums should shut up...And dude who doesn't know who Jack Bruce is, obviously knows nothing and probably has never heard anything besides Sunshine of Your Love.

pygmygonks

Nov 10, 2008

Perhaps Jack Bruce should join Zeppelin as Plant's replacement?

Carl175

Nov 10, 2008

Jack Bruce - You can't get close to the talents Jimmy Page has. Do you think Jimmy just played guitar? Well look into what the man did with Zep. You nor Eric can come close to Jimmy's Talents, and by the way, Page is by far the best guitarist of his time.

woodstock135

Nov 10, 2008

Sorry, but I've been up to my eyeballs with family. â€œKillersâ€, for now; and I will respond with more choices I promise; but it wonâ€™t be easy. 2004 is a difficult start point for me; but I will try.Rage Against The Machine

todds mcgee

Nov 12, 2008

Jack Bruce seems to talk up cream alot like everyone is equal in the band... When everyone knows Clapton is the only reason why that band is famous! I don't think we need to even discuss such a ridiculous speech, I think Zeppelin defying so many generations and selling over 300 million albums says it all.

GOLDTOP

Nov 13, 2008

Firstly I like to say jack bruce is a toss, he should get down on his knees and beg for forgiveness to Jimmy Page , Cream are very ordinary ,I saw their re-union dvd and they sound like they are still on drugs,very boring to watch,shit vocals and harmonies,clapton is not god, not even a pimple on his arse,as for his guitar playing,it is fuckin simple,he plays the same shit solo for every song,in slow motion.Bruce cannot compare led zeppelin with cream , he has nothing to back it with, from what bruce has said, he is extremely jealous little man, clapton is overrated, Jimmy page wrote most of led zeppelin's music, which is second to none, and produced it, famous for the the biggest selling songs and albums in the world, it is a sad day when fellow musicians have to slag each other of,cream only had a couple of hits, nothing compared to led zeppelin, bruce needs to seek medical attention, sounds like he has dementia, God bless "led Zeppelin". And by the way fuck of "Cream " your crap, with your lame couple of songs.!!!

Animalian

Nov 17, 2008

Jack Bruce is a genius for kicking off such an entertaining thread of comments, but may be he didn't count on the NME readership being such a bunch of humourless nobheads. And those of you who don't know who he is should piss off and do some research before you start spouting shite on what is supposed to be a notice board for rock fans. At the end of the day who gives a shite which is better, Led Zep or Cream? Both bands are legends, and both were brilliant at one point.

zhuzk

Nov 25, 2008

jack bruce is really talented. he fullfilled that promise only in spurts...but his course was always changing. he is a great bass player...one of a kind. along with baker they are supremely individual musicians who play more than rock music. zeppelin capitalized on a sound that cream and hendrix created. but that sound reflected only a fraction of what bruce is about, although that is what he is famous for. sunshine of your love and white room are about as exciting as whole lotta love and communication breakdown...i wish tony williams lifetime had developed and expanded...or jack bruce with hendrix had gotten together...far beyond any platinum selling demi god reunion i can imagine

monty70

Dec 18, 2008

Anyone who understands music (theory), and I don't mean a wanker who can play smoke on the water using three power chords knows that Cream was musically superior to Led Zep. Cream utilized collective improvisation, and was responsible for the push towards fusion in the 70's. I used to love Zep when I was in junior high school. But the more I studied music, the less they interested me. Mostly because Bonzo's drumming, he is pretty mediocre after you hear really great drummers like Baker, Williams or Billy Cobham.As far Jack's comments, if he even really did say these things, they do seem a bit childish. Someone as talented and unique as Bruce does not need to be bothered with such tripe. He did after all turn Page down for the job in L.Z. when the first formed. Cream's reunion was outstanding, Led Zep's was good at best but they were never close to begin with.

terrioscar

Dec 26, 2008

theory schmeory...yeah yeah...both Cream and Zep were amazing bands...different sounds. However, when it comes to hard and sexy rock and roll, Zep rules....Id much rather get down to Zep than Cream anyday...and isn't that what rock and roll is all about?????

nikcmannn

Jan 1, 2009

who cares about theeeery,,its the feeling that counts, both were great bands in that genre, impro see where the feeling goes, and friendship too, led zep were all mates, unlike cream however who couldnt control their egos, maybe jack bruce is up his own arz or taking de wee wee