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Cream Bassist Clarifies His Led Zeppelin Comments

posted Nov 5, 2008 at 12:02 PM by Diamond Oz.  (30 Comments)

Photo of Led Zeppelin

Band Photo: Led Zeppelin (?)

Cream bassist recently did a radio interview in which he clarified what he meant by the remarks regarding Led Zeppelin he made at the Classic Rock Awards on monday night:

"I was just having some fun with the press gallery really... being fairly tongue in cheek... The thing about Zeppelin is obviously it's a little bit of jealousy on my part or more than a little bit because the audience was created by Cream and JIMI HENDRIX… this sort of very large audience... then Zeppelin came along and had a very easy ride in that way. We were the pioneers and pioneers don’t always get the recognition they deserve. On the other hand, let’s face it: Jimmy Page ain’t no Eric Clapton... no matter what anybody thinks.”

He also had this to say (jokingly) about Zeppelin:

“The only decent guy... the one good guy in that band is dead... so what are you gonna do? The trouble is if you say anything about the establishment... In Britain you mustn’t criticize the Queen or Led Zeppelin.”

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30 Comments on "Cream Bassist Clarifies His Led Zeppelin Comments"

deathbringer's avatar

Founder, owner & programmer

1. deathbringer writes:

OK, it's easy to misinterpret "tongue in cheek" on the web, I'll give him that. Maybe they did have an easy ride in, but Led Zeppelin certainly pioneered plenty themselves. You don't hear credit for shaping metal going to Cream, do you?

# Nov 5, 2008 @ 12:31 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
That_One_Guy's avatar

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2. That_One_Guy writes:

Exactly, deathbringer! Cream were a great band, but bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath helped CREATE heavy metal as we know it today! I think Led Zeppelin deserves every bit of praise they get and so does Black Sabbath, even though a lot of people (especially teenagers and such) think both bands are overrated. From what I can tell, they just don't appreciate the roots of modern metal as much as the by-product that has been created.

# Nov 5, 2008 @ 12:39 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

3. bully writes:

backpeddling......what a deuche

# Nov 5, 2008 @ 12:39 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
That_One_Guy's avatar

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4. That_One_Guy writes:

Not backpeddling, clarifying. It's hard to interpret "tongue in cheek" or sarcasm over the internet.

# Nov 5, 2008 @ 12:49 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

5. mjc writes:

Yeah he is p***y for sure. he definitly back off ! But he could not stop one last slag at Jimmy .
he even admitted he is envious

# Nov 5, 2008 @ 1:11 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

6. billybob writes:

"You don't hear credit for shaping metal going to Cream, do you?"

Jack Bruce (and the commenters) should watch Metal: A Headbanger's Journey by Sam Dunn. Then post your comments.

# Nov 5, 2008 @ 1:13 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

7. billybob writes:

lol I just noticed the banner at the top of this page is an ad for Sam Dunn's sequel documentary "Global Metal" both are excellent films that every metal fan should see.

# Nov 5, 2008 @ 1:15 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
ZT's avatar

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8. ZT writes:

You said what you said, Jack. No need to explain yourself.

# Nov 5, 2008 @ 5:16 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

9. fiop writes:

still sounds like a prick

# Nov 5, 2008 @ 5:54 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

10. Gunface138 writes:

fiop writes:
still sounds like a prick

Second.

# Nov 5, 2008 @ 6:23 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

11. George writes:

Led Zep is crap & has no link to heavy metal

# Nov 6, 2008 @ 4:05 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
chazo's avatar

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12. chazo writes:

man I can't belive that this is really jack bruce talking,
if it is he being a Jerk
chazo
vegas

# Nov 6, 2008 @ 8:10 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

13. theoppositioner writes:

george-"Led Zep is crap & has no link to heavy metal"

for one....they arent crap you douche

second.....zep and sabbath paved the way for all metal


PS. Page kicks Claptons a$$ any day of the week. Clapton gets to much love, not Jimmy. Eric is too one dimensional; nothing but blues. Both great guitarists though.

# Nov 6, 2008 @ 3:34 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

14. jimmy j writes:

Too late to change your tune jack. You said it' you have to live with it.

# Nov 6, 2008 @ 7:17 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
KORNDOGG's avatar

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15. KORNDOGG writes:

I hate Led Zeppelin!!!!!!!

# Nov 6, 2008 @ 7:39 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
That_One_Guy's avatar

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16. That_One_Guy writes:

KORNDOGG, you hate everything that isn't Korn.....

# Nov 7, 2008 @ 11:46 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
godlike's avatar

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17. godlike writes:

^^^^ good point TOG..!!

# Nov 7, 2008 @ 12:36 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
KORNDOGG's avatar

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18. KORNDOGG writes:

Well TOG, thats far from the truth so here it is, just so there is no more bullsh** comments- i like

Rock-Korn, cold, staind, deftones, tool, rage, chevelle, 3DG, 3DD, breaking benjamin, adema, acdc, aclice in chains, pantera, mudvayne, hellyeah, kid rock, skynard, disturbed, evans blue, blue october, flyleaf, foo fighters,

# Nov 7, 2008 @ 5:36 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
KORNDOGG's avatar

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19. KORNDOGG writes:

Shall i go on- I like

Rock- godsmack, linkin park, metallica nickelback, manson, stone sour, slipknot, old gnr, ozzy, papa roach, seether, smashing pumpkins, sick puppies, rise against, signal, theory of a deadman, 10 years, ect. ect. ect.

I can even go country b****- I like garth brooks, toby keith, rascal flats, darius rucker, keith anderson, ect. ect.

How bout rap- I like 2pac, TI, nelly, the game, eminem, gunit, ja rule, bone thugs, ect. ect.

So how bouts ya shut the f*** up next time you decide to say" You hate everything that aint KORN"
My musical taste i much wider than yours buddy, so close it, BIATCH!

# Nov 7, 2008 @ 5:44 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

20. Caveman writes:

You like a lot of sh**ty music... i like KORN though

# Nov 7, 2008 @ 7:18 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

21. Kiki writes:

I think...

The fame has definetly gone to his head.
I kinda hate him for that :)
"Oh look at me, I am such a pioneer, even if I can't compare to the greatness and pure brilliance of Led Zeppelin, I'm such a mastermind that I even compare myself to Jimi Hendrix!"

Please. Who do you think you are, Mozart?

# Nov 8, 2008 @ 8:58 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
That_One_Guy's avatar

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22. That_One_Guy writes:

Rap? *Cringes*

Country??? *Cringes harder*

Actually, Korndogg, I like a lot more than just thrash and black/death metal. If I listed every band I listened to, it'd be a f***ing novel.

# Nov 10, 2008 @ 2:16 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Txmetalhead's avatar

Member

23. Txmetalhead writes:

I agree with the other poster - Jimmy Page being an innovator on guitar...that is some awesome improv shXt he did with playing the guitar strings like a violin. I really like Cream but Led Zeppelin is so much better.

Cream was clearly badASS, but LZ had so much more progressive elements, and what a great imagination.
CLASSIC!

Cream has Sunshine of Your Love, and White Room, that is all the songs I know. I know several Led Zeppelin songs!

# Nov 10, 2008 @ 4:06 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Txmetalhead's avatar

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24. Txmetalhead writes:

To - Korndogg -
I don't agree with all your music choices, but it cool to see a fan of several different genres of musik.
I like more metal over rock N roll.. but that is me.

# Nov 10, 2008 @ 4:09 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

25. spiral_architect writes:

cream and jimi hendrix helped to create heavy metal, as did led zeppelin. let's not forget iron butterfly's contribution either. oh, and also, let's try not to hog all the credit for creating metal.

# Nov 10, 2008 @ 9:28 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

26. creamo's writes:

....man.... you guys are first class morons...

# Nov 12, 2008 @ 4:46 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Fuck_A_Name's avatar

27. Fuck_A_Name writes:

^f*** that, i can't afford first-class. Rich bastards.

# Nov 12, 2008 @ 7:52 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
americanpatriot1's avatar

Member

28. americanpatriot1 writes:

I say have the courage of your convictions. If you don't like them fine, don't recant just to save face. You shouldn't make apologies if you don't like someone. I believe alot of that is jealousy though.

# Nov 12, 2008 @ 8:27 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
brandedcfh420's avatar

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29. brandedcfh420 writes:

korndogg likes rap and country...no wonder he acts like a "mentally handicapped" person sometimes....lol, j/k kornkitty.....

# Nov 12, 2008 @ 8:58 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader

30. zepdawg writes:

you've soooooo got that wrong buddy, Eric ain't noooooooo.....Master James Patrick Page

# Nov 14, 2008 @ 7:53 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address

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