Pete Brown dead – famed songwriter behind ‘White Room’ and ‘Sunshine of You Love’ dies aged 82 after cancer

Songwriter and poet Pete Brown has died at the age of 82.

The Londoner co-wrote Sunshine of Your Love and White Room for short-lived rock supergroup Cream in the 1960s.

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According to a post on his Facebook page, Brown died of cancer late Friday.

Brown, the poet who worked in the same circles as Allen Ginsberg and Spike Milligan, was asked by drummer Ginger Baker to help write songs for Cream, a band he formed with guitarist Eric Clapton and bassist Jack Bruce had.

He also helped write the group’s song, I Feel Fine, and formed a songwriting partnership with Bruce after Cream broke up that lasted more than four decades.

A tribute posted to Facebook by Bruce’s family said, “We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Jack’s longtime friend and writing partner, Pete Brown, who passed away last night.”

“Together, Jack and Pete have written many of Cream’s iconic songs alongside Eric Clapton, including the hits ‘I Feel Free’, ‘White Room’, ‘SWLABR’ and of course ‘Sunshine of Your Love’. Pete and Jack continued to work together throughout Jack’s solo career leading up to Jack’s final studio album, Silver Rails, which was released in 2014.

“Pete’s unique poetic genius has the ability to conjure up the most incredible imagery and we are immensely grateful for his meaningful contributions to the world of poetry and music.”

He is survived by his wife Sheridan, daughter, singer and writer Jessica Walker, and son Tad, a musician and restaurateur.