Yes. they say that age is “just a number,” but it isn’t in one sense: the bigger the number, the closer we are to taking The Big Nap. But in the birthday/anniversary sense, yes, it’s significant—though only because humans evolved with ten digits. And Eric Clapton has one of these anniversaries: he was born on March, 30, 1945, and so turns eighty today.
I’m speaking subjectively, of course, but I consider Clapton the greatest rock guitarist of all time (Rolling Stone ranks him at #2, after Jimi Hendrix, who has a credible claim to the top spot). Further, Clapton was coauthor and performer of what I see as the greatest rock song of all time: “Layla” (note that it was recorded in 1970, when Clapton was only 25).
“Layla” is a two-part song, as you’ll hear below, with the rocking seven-note intro that identifies it immediately. Later it segues into a slow part with piano, and I usually stop listening at that point. So I guess I can say that the best rock song in history is the FIRST part of “Layla.”
It was the feature song of the only album made by one of Clapton’s groups: Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, featuring Derek and the Dominoes. Here’s that group below: (L–R: Jim Gordon, Carl Radle, Bobby Whitlock, Eric Clapton).
Another reason I love “Layla” is the backstory, which every rock aficionado knows. It’s the heartfelt cry of a man in love with a woman who’s already married. She was Patti Boyd, who was married to George Harrison when Clapton fell in love with her. (Harrison and Boyd divorced two years after the song, and Clapton married her in 1979. It wasn’t the love of a lifetime, for they divorced a decade later.
This is one song where every word tells the story of that unrequited love. Here’s a great live version (there are several), performed at Madison Square Garden in 1999, when Clapton was 54. He hasn’t lost a lick, and the fantastic solo begins at 2:56, when he makes the guitar scream and wail, playing out his pain.
You can stop listening at 4:05, when the slow part begins, though I know some readers will find it as good as (and inseparable from) the first part.
Yes, I know that Clapton has a bit of a dark side. He’s known for bizarre behavior, including racist and anti-vaccine rants. But long after he’s taken the Big Nap, people will still be listening to and marveling at his music. Nobody has ever played the axe better.
Clapton had tons of good songs. Some of my favorites are “Lay Down Sally” (1977), “Promises” (a ringer from 1978), and one more I’ll show below, “Badge,” (1969), co-written with George Harrison, who plays on the recorded track by Cream. I’ll never forget the first time I heard “Badge,” which came out when I was in college; I was mesmerized by the solo. Here it is live from 2001, with an extended solo in the middle and then another long one (not on the recording) at the end.
And so it’s a happy birthday to Slowhand!
Feel free to give your favorite Clapton song in the comments, or take issue with my ranking “Layla” as the best rock song ever (but you have to name your choice).
By normal rock standards, Clapton was an amazing guitarist. But he doesn’t compare with guitarists I have heard in the blues clubs of Chicago and New Orleans. From 1991-1995 I was at U. Chicago doing a PhD in algebraic topology. Whenever my brain was all awhirl after too much caffeine and topology and I needed to rest the grey cells, I would recover with alcohol and blues. I was sad to learn that the Checkerboard Lounge closed in 2015.
Even by rock standards, I can think of three living guitarists who, to my ears, are better than Clapton: Brian May, David Gilmour, and Jimmy Page.
As for May, his creativity is remarkable. Although he could rock out, I was floored when I first heard “Good Company” (hardly a “rock” song). At first listen, it sounds like May is accompanied by a New Orleans jazz band, but in fact all those “brass” instruments are guitar overdubs! Here’s the track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQo5tqwAwgE
Best rock song ever? Hard to choose. “Whole Lotta Love” by Led Zeppelin comes to mind. And for something a bit more straightforward and rather punky, I nominate “All Day and All of the Night” by The Kinks.
And he was kicked out of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers as they were more impressed with Peter Green (who later founded Fleetwood Mac, naming the group after his two bandmates simply because he wasn’t keen on the limelight).
At risk of being either banished from the site or stuck in moderation forever . . . I prefer the acoustic version.
. . . As do I.
The Layla album is certainly one of the top 3 rock albums of all time. Derek and the Dominos was an amazing combination of musicians. When I play it, I usually listen to the whole album. Unfortunately it’s not a well recorded record but it’s raw sound does give it a live feel.
“Clapton is God” graffiti was common in the late 60s.
The one tune where I thought what IS this? was White Room.
So strange, unusual, yet, I had to listen to what happens next. Every scintilla of sound in the solo is memorable. I don’t hear a chain of guitar and amp – I hear a human voice inhabiting wood, plastic, steel, paper, electricity, and air.
And, of course, Ginger Baker was the perfect counterpart to Clapton.
My colleague who is a very good drummer considers Ginger Baker to be the best rock drummer of all time.
Agree – he has a signature sound.
IMHO
Baker’s magnum opus (or something) as his novel advancement of the art was two recordings with Bill Frisell and Charlie Haden, called Ginger Baker Trio.
I listen regularly.
Ginger Baker was a sublime talent, no doubt. Jim Gordon, the drummer for Derek and the Dominos, might have been the most in-demand session drummer of his time. A few of his credits:
God Only Knows (The Beach Boys) [percussion, Hal Blaine is the main drummer]
Classical Gas (Mason Williams)
Different Drum (The Stone Poneys)
Everybody’s Talkin’ (Harry Nilsson)
What is Life (George Harrison)
You’re So Vain (Carley Simon)
Rikki Don’t Lose That Number (Steely Dan)
Sundown and Carefree Highway (Gordon Lightfoot)
The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys (Traffic)
Adventures in Paradise (Minnie Riperton)
Indeed, “White Room”. It has it all: one of the best guitar solos (with wah-wah peddle) of all time, iconic drumming from Ginger, great vocals from Jack, words by Pete Brown, interesting time signatures, very good arrangement. Also check out Cream’s “Those Were the Days”: power trio with falsetto vocals and hand bells!
I agree Slowhand is the greatest. But shout-outs to:
Stevie Ray Vaughan – Love Struck Baby.
Keith Richards – I Can’t Get No Satisfaction
Prince – Purple Rain
Carlos Santana – Black Magic Woman
Joni Mitchell – Coyote
BB King – The Thrill Is Gone
Jimmy Page – Stairway to Heaven (the intro)
Jimi Hendrix – Purple Haze
Fantastic musician. Unplugged is perhaps my favorite Clapton album: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unplugged_(Eric_Clapton_album)
I like the segue to piano in Layla. What is conveyed in the first 1/2 of screaming’ electric guitar is longing and anguish at the immediate moment. At the now. What is conveyed to me in the later piano bit is more like despair over what lies ahead — that this pain will be a part of him into the future. I’ve had a terrible crush or two, and can say that both experiences are very real.
I like both parts too. The second half seems like smoking a cigarette or cuddling after hot sex. Part of the whole experience.
+1 I’ve always loved the piano part.
The Layla album is indeed their only studio album, but there have been some live performances captured also which are pretty amazing.
From 1970, here is Derek and the Dominos live from the Fillmore East (gleaned from two nights) for free at YouTube. Album is available, too:
Johnny Cash used to have a variety show on TV. He did an extended musical segment with Derek and the Dominos and Carl Perkins in 1971. Here is a well-recorded video version of “It’s Too Late” and “Matchbox”. Don’t miss “Matchbox”!:
Here is audio of the entire 30 minute Johnny Cash segment:
Hey look, it’s Gingerbaker! 😆
Layla is also my all-time favorite rock song. Indeed, if the first and second halves of it were played as separate songs, they would rank #1 and #2 on my list. The fact that they are seamlessly merged into one grande synthesis is nothing short of phenomenal. I listen to Layla nearly every day.
Two underrated Clapton classics: The Core
and Tell The Truth.
+1 on The Core. One of my favorites.
How can you talk about the greatness of Layla without a mention of Greg Allman and his role?
Clapton reportedly said of Allman he was “the musical brother that I never had but wished I did”
Other than that, I very much enjoyed your reminiscences,
I think you mean Duane, who died shortly after recording parts of Derek and the Dominoes in a motorcycle accident. Duane was widely regarded as the best (rock) slide guitarist ever. Gregg, who played keyboards and sang, died just recently after leading the Allman Brothers band, marrying Cher (briefly), etc.
wonderful tonight – my favorite
Absolutely….Wonderful Tonight is the best rock song since the Beatles effectively put an end to doo wop
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http://youtu.be/f9myqi7VL9s
I like Eric Clapton performing “Layla” at Live Aid. 🇬🇧🎸✨
http://youtu.be/tUU1GLMdnkM
I like Eric Clapton performing “Tears in Heaven” on MTV Unplugged. 🇬🇧🎸✨
That Eric Clapton is regarded as a virtuoso guitarist began with his playing on John Mayall’s 1966 album ‘Blues Breakers – John Mayall with Eric Clapton'(the Beano record). No one had ever heard a guitar sound like that and Clapton’s playing was both lyrical and inventive. Generations of guitarist since have since been inspired by that performance and will continue to be so. His career in pop music is great but the massive influence of his 1966 John Mayall recording cannot be over stated. A seminal moment.
I would have thought that it was even earlier. I was at Southampton University (1961-1964) and saw Clapton with the Yardbirds there at least three times. He certainly was amazing and extremely popular: the Yardbirds achieved the highest gig attendance in of all my time there; 1,300 people when the University had only 1,800. Of course plenty of people from nearby colleges were there, including from a woman’s RC establishment, which operated a 9.30 pm curfew (boo!!!).
Cream’s “Badge” is up there, at the time after listening to Fresh Cream quiet a lot hmm not much of Jack Bruce or Ginger in there, the song made it seem like a different band… but of course their musicianship is right in it. The George factor? I think so.
But for my money Jimmy Page is the better mainly for the innovative playing and I particularly like this version of Led Zepplin “Rain Song”
https://youtu.be/31d78N0itMc?si=75wzpAjeDi7Eok0a
They both came out of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers so a similar grounding.
Pattie Boyd well she inspired a few tunes.
Layla is maybe the third greatest rock song behind “Smoke on the Water” and “Highway to Hell” not necessarily in that order. I’m using the latter as my alarm sound on my phone. It does the job. 🙂 I agree, though. Clapton’s music is great and his turn to the dark side does not make it any less great.
Clapton is great, indeed, his anti-vax stupidity notwithstanding. Important to separate the artist from the person.
And THEY should separate. Imagine an alive John Lennon today, ranting through his long beard about woke crap (you KNOW he would) verses Sir Paul Mc.
Do we even know his political ideas?
No. And we’re better for it.
If you’re famous in the arts – my advice is shut up and sing and let us enjoy it.
D.A.
NYC
Another unrelated question: What the hell did Patti/Layla HAVE that hooked such high status young men? Always wondered that.
Like that Carla Bruni (?) lady in Europe who was married to various big shots.
(jealous?) Feminists might say the women were party favors handed around by the top guys but I disagree. Without an answer to what….. was their skill?
D.A.
NYC
Duane Allmans contributions to the song and album cannot be understated. The album is considered by many as the greatest “white boy blues” album of all time.
https://www.staticandfeedback.com/Music/0905layl.html
The American comedian, George Burns, had a joke that went, “When you turn Eighty, you no longer have to worry about getting old. You ARE old!”
How about “Crossroads”? #3 on Rolling Stone’s Greatest Guitar Songs.
Eric Clapton once described Cream’s music as “blues ancient and modern.” This track is what he meant. He was not yet 23 when he played this high-velocity version of the Robert Johnson song at San Francisco’s Winterland on March 10th, 1968. Everything in Clapton’s solos is grounded in the blues vocabulary but pointed to the future. “When Clapton soloed, he wrote wonderful symphonies from classic blues licks in that fantastic tone,” Little Steven Van Zandt told Rolling Stone in 2004. “You could sing his solos like songs in themselves.” http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/20947527/page/4
But Clapton did not like it?
Clapton’s guitar solo is praised by critics and fans, but in interviews, he expressed reservations about his performance. In 1985, he explained:
I really haven’t heard that song in so long—and I really don’t like it, actually. I think there’s something wrong with it. [I]f I hear the solo, and think, “God, I’m on the 2 and I should be on the 1”, then I can never really enjoy it. And I think that’s what happened with “Crossroads”. It is interesting, and everyone can pat themselves on the back that we all got out of it at the same time. But it rankles me a little bit.
In 2004, he repeated his problem with finding the beat and added:
I certainly put that one to bed quickly! I actually have about zero tolerance for most of my old material. Especially “Crossroads”. The popularity of that song with Cream has always been mystifying to me. I don’t think it’s very good … So, I never really revisit my old stuff. I won’t even go there. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_Road_Blues
Sorry, Eric. “Crossroads” is brilliant.
Clapton is good, and the Derek & Dominoes album is a stone-cold classic. But the top 10 rock guitarists are:
Allan Holdsworth (Who happens to be the greatest jazz guitarist as well.)
Jimi Hendrix
Jeff Beck
– Robert Fripp
– Ritchie Blackmore
– Steve Howe
– Steve Hackett
– Eddie Van Halen
– Jimmy Page
– Carlos Santana
This is the absolute truth…
;D
One has to take at least four things into account: quality of the music (a matter of taste), technical difficulty (but something which was technically challenging then might no longer be so), influence, and innovation. To all four questions one can answer yes or no, so there are 16 possibilities even if just restricting to yes/no (rather than a point on some scale). An interesting exercise is to come up with 16 examples, one for each combination.
Whether Clapton’s music is good is of course a matter of taste. At the time, he was technically one of the best guitar players. Today, there are many who are technically better. He was innovative to some extent (but some of that was merely bringing Black music to a White audience) and hugely influential (not just the playing but also the tone). With Mayall and Cream, Clapton played Gibson guitars (Les Paul with Mayall, with Cream Les Paul, SG, and ES-335). The Gibson Les Paul has become THE rock guitar. In te 1950s, only a couple of thousand were produced before it was replaced by the SG. It didn’t sell well. It was later re-introduced, but at a time when Gibson was going through quality-control issues. That led to a huge demand with a small supply of good instruments, hence high prices. (Something similar happened with Fender, but not Rickenbacker, who always made high-quality instruments.) Thus the tradition of paying huge sums for old guitars. That is no longer necessary, as modern instruments—reissued with the classic specs for those who like them—are at least as good as instruments from that time.
It’s not just a rock thing. Many violionists play violins by Stradivari or Guarneri costing millions. But double-blind tests have shown that modern violins, costing only 20k or so, are just as good. Some famous violinists have taken to playing modern instruments.
The old ones are valuable historically, but not necessary for a good player who needs a good instrument.
Almost all extant Strads are in fact modern. They have been rebuilt and modified within the last 100 years or so and now sound quite unlike what they did when new.
No: All of them. Only one Stradivarious violin (in a German museum, not in playable condition) has not been retopped.
Retopping involves carving out virtually the entire top (belly if you prefer) of the violin, fitting in a new top behind the super-thin old outer surface + varnish, and then carving the new top back to an appropriate thickness, gradation, etc., etc. Carving new f-holes. (And don’t forget that layer of glue between the old outer veneer and the new top structure behind it!)
So, as you said, they are all “modern”.
And, one should always remember: Along with the great Strads, there are a much larger host of mediocre “dud” Strads that were produced in his workshop (by whom exactly? We don’t know). There are many very pedestrian genuine Strads out there.
And I think people are far too focused on the old Strads, Amatis, and Guarneriuses. Yes, they epitomized and “finalized” (one might say) the modern viol; but there are lots of fantastic violins being made right now by talented luthiers around the world.
(Stepping off of my soap box …)
[Edit:] I just noticed that Philip Helbig made exactly my last point in his original comment. Well done.
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Eric Clapton is in Japan right now!! 🇬🇧🎸🇯🇵
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Eric Clapton always eats “Tonkatsu” when he comes to Japan. 🍚🥢😋
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Eric Clapton will be in the US in September. 🇬🇧🎸🇺🇸