Legendary Cream Lead Vocalist Jack Bruce to Close Two-Day Rock Hall Benefit Concert

The Scottish-born Bruce is considered by many to be the greatest electric bass guitarist of all time. Before vaulting to superstardom as the principle songwriter and lead vocalist of the power trio Cream, Bruce found fame as a member of Manfred Mann. Over the years, Bruce collaborated and recorded with two other rock legends -- Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker -- and in 1966 the three came together to form Cream, whose hits included "Sunshine of Your Love," "White Room," and "I Feel Free," among countless others. By 1968, Cream was easily the top grossing touring act in the world. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and reunited in 2005 for several concerts inLondon andNew York.

"We are so pleased that Jack Bruce, whose concert appearances have been quite rare over the years, has agreed to play the final set of this extraordinary two-day benefit concert," said Benefit Concert Chairman and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame National Trustee, Rick French.

The two-day classic rock festival opens the evening of September 19 at the Koka Booth Amphitheatre inCary, N.C. with 2004 Rock Hall inductee Dave Mason, co-founder of the legendary band Traffic, headlining the opening night.

On Saturday, September 20, Grand Society will open the Emerging Artists showcase. They will be followed byNorth Carolina's own Parmalee and breakout Louisiana hard rockers Supagroup. ThenRaleigh's own The Connells will take the stage, followed by another legendary N.C. band -- Arrogance -- that was co-founded by well-known R.E.M. co-producer Don Dixon.

The classic rock band Jefferson Starship, featuring original Jefferson Airplane founders and Rock Hall inductees Marty Balin and Paul Kantner, accompanied by another Rock Hall inductee, Grateful Dead keyboardist Tom Constanten, will open the headliner portion of the show on the second day.

Following Jefferson Starship to the stage will be Dennis DeYoung, a founding member of the band Styx, performing the music of Styx, including many of the hits he helped make famous with his soaring vocals and extraordinary keyboard playing.

Following DeYoung, members of the former John Entwistle Band will take the stage accompanied by former Deep Purple and Rainbow lead vocalist Joe Lynn Turner, Blue Oyster Cult lead singer and guitarist Buck Dharma and former original Grand Funk Railroad lead singer Mark Farner, performing the greatest hits of those particular bands. Bruce will then join former members of the John Entwistle Band on stage for a closing set of Cream's greatest hits. Following that set, a number of the headlining artists and other special guests will perform an encore tribute to Entwistle and the music of The Who.

The visitRaleigh.com Rock Hall concert will benefit both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum's educational outreach and the John Entwistle Foundation's program of providing musical instruments and music lessons to disadvantaged youths through the public library systems in communities across the U.S. For more information, visit www.rockhallbenefit.com .

SOURCE Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

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