Jack Bruce was a Scottish musician best known as the primary lead vocalist and bassist of rock band Cream. After the group disbanded in 1968, he pursued a solo career and also played with several bands. In the early 1960s, Bruce joined the Graham Bond Organization, where he met future Cream bandmate Ginger Baker. After leaving the band, he briefly joined John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, where he met Eric Clapton. In 1966, after a short time with Manfred Mann, he formed Cream with lead guitarist Clapton and drummer Baker. He co-wrote many of their songs (including "Sunshine of Your Love", "White Room" and "I Feel Free") with poet/lyricist Pete Brown.
Bruce had recorded a solo album, Songs for a Tailor, released in September 1969 and was touring for these shows with jazz guitarist Larry Coryell, and Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell.
Mountain was a Long Island-based band formed by Vagrants guitarist Leslie West. West was inspired to leave the Vagrants and form another band by Cream and so it was a nice pairing opening up for Cream’s bass player! They were a few weeks away from releasing their second album, “Climbing,” which contained their signature hit Mississippi Queen.