Jack Bruce, who was the 1960s rock band Cream's singer, songwriter and bassist, died Saturday of liver disease at his home in Suffolk, England at 71 years old, New York Times reported.

The singer's family announced the death on his official website and on his Facebook page. Bruce is survived by his wife, Margrit, four children and a granddaughter.

"Husband, father, granddad, and all round legend. The world of music will be a poorer place without him, but he lives on in his music and forever in our hearts," his family wrote.

Bruce was born to musical parents in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1943. He played in various dance bands and jazz groups before joining the Graham bond Organisation in 1962, where he met drummer Ginger Baker. The bassist later joined John Mayall's Blues Breakers, where he met guitarist Eric Clapton, which lead to the formation of Cream, according to CNN.

Bruce enjoyed a musical career that lasted 52 years. The bassist was most famous for his work in Cream, with guitarist Clapton and drummer Baker. In the list of 100 Greatest Artists by the Rolling Stones, Cream is listed on the 67th spot.

Eric Clapton shared a message dedicated to the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.

"He was a great musician and composer, and a tremendous inspiration to me," Clapton wrote on his Facebook page.

Bruce was the headliner and songwriter for Cream. He co-wrote the hits "White Room" and "Sunshine of Your Love" with lyricist Pete Brown. Bruce had an ongoing rivalry with Baker that Clapton was often unable to stop, according to TIME.

Bruce struggled with drug problems and finances after Cream broke up in the 1970s. He continued to play music for a number of sessions and in small musical groups.

He received a liver transplant after being diagnosed with cancer in 2003. The rock band played for a series of shows in a series of shows in 2005 after the group reunited.