September 22, 2008
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Clapton IS God
"In a career that spans more than forty years, Eric Clapton has secured his place in the rock 'n' roll history books as one of the most influential singer-songwriter-guitarists of all time. From his rise to fame with the Yardbirds to his solo career, the rock icon is a 16-time Grammy winner and the only triple-inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of both the Yardbirds and Cream, and as a solo artist."
The phrase was spray-painted by an admirer on a wall in an Islington Underground station in the autumn of 1967.
Still rings true to me!
I was stationed at Offutt AFB in Omaha, Ne in 1968, and two friends and I drove to Des Moines,Ia in a freak snowstorm in mid-October to catch Cream's farewell tour. Been almost 40 years now and I've never been to any other event that even came close to overwhelming me the way I was blown away that night!
It was all I had dreamed of and more!
Will never forget Ginger Baker's 20+ minute drum solo on "Toad", after which his legs cramped up and he had to be helped off the stage!
It was the end of an era.
But Clapton plays on.
Thru all the problems.
He is still the "best" that there will "ever" be!
And from Timepieces Vol.2, Here's a little something for a friend in Oklahoma!
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Comments (23)
I bet this was the best concert.How could it be any better? It would be worth it for Ginger Baker alone,and then add Jack Bruce and the god himself,Mr Clapton.I would have walked in the snow to see them.
I saw Eric Clapton and Muddy Waters on tour in Philly when I was a senior in highschool in "79,I begged my sister to take me , two legends in one show.
@buddly47 - In all honesty, Bud, I'm more excited about this book than the first one. I really feel like Words Gone Wild is the strongest representation of my work. I cannot wait for you and Karen to read it.
@SaadiaOnline - Yeaah, I know sweetheart. Sorry about the kids. Looking forward to the book, tho!
@buddly47 - I don't really know what I'm doing. The new book is coming out in the next few weeks and I'm a little overwhelmed. Plus my kids are sick. So....you know how all that goes. Somethings gotta give. Lately, it's been Xanga!!!
@SaadiaOnline - Thanks Saadia. Are you on Xanga hiatus? Or just taking a little break?
Sunshine Of Your Love is the first rock song I can remember hearing. It was 1970, and my father had it cranked on the radio in his Chevy Biscayne. I was in the backseat by the speakers, all of five years old, simultaneously startled by the monster opening riff, and wondering how I could make a racket like that myself. Changed me forever. Without Cream, I might have become an accountant or something.
I love Clapton. Great post, Bud!
@Ed_Kaz - Listening to Clapton always sends me to another time and place,man!
I always loved the live Crossroads solo. It just sends me somewhere.
Also, I love the blistering solo he gets off during "Yer Blues" on The Plastic Ono Band's Live Peace in Toronto album. Revisit it. Get some goosebumps.
I like Eric Clapton. Very few could ever play a guitar like that. Hi Bud!
@adventofreason - Hahahahahahaha! Throw those dogs some hushpuppies, quick!!!!
That I couldn't get that song to upload; so like the very mature, grown up woman of the world that I am, I shut it down, went off to the other room and felt completely sorry for myself. And then, trying to take the high road, and quell that childish part of myself, I came back in to find that you had commented it and I didn't even know it had worked . . . it said it didn't. My maturity level in these matters is deplorable. Just ask my dogs. They didn't even get a treat out of the whole ordeal, and they ALWAYS get treats. They are eyeing me in such a way that I am reminded of feeling a bit like a t-bone steak or something. Eeek!
oki
@adventofreason - What were you pouting about?
@RubyBogonia - Layla is a strange story. Eric wrote it as a love song to George's wife,Patty Boyd, who divorced George and married Eric, and Eric later divorced her. Funny how life gets in the way of a good love story, isn't it?
Been listening again, and enjoying both completely. Done pouting. I don't do it well, to be honest. : )
oki
Eric Clapton is a true genius; and I love his song .. Layla ... the guitar work is awesome, and when he and George Harrison got together
it was sheer heaven.
OH MY YES !!!!!!!!!!!!
@angi1972 - Haha. That was taken at Carly's wedding reception a couple of years ago. One of my better days!
I am a fan too! I haven't had the privilage of seeing him in concert though.
I am digging the new profile pic!
wow, aren't you just the naughty one! okay, in mid 67, I was 5 and yeah, dad might have had an issue. LOL I moved when I was 7, but I was a really mature 7. HA, okay, I am not even mature now.
lmao oki
@adventofreason - Let's see, I'm no math whiz, but you must have been 3 to 8 years old or so around that time? If I'da stopped by to say "hey" your daddy woulda kicked my butt!!!hahaha!! But, that is a wild coinkydink,huh? I was there from mid 67 thru Dec. 68! I have happy memories of Omaha too, great meals at the Blackstone Hotel, Doug's Drive In, being 21, and of course, the Nurse's College two blocks from our apartment!!hahaha
kyboy
Ah, no tears, just a big ol' smile . . . prolly about a mile wide, I'm sure. T-Town is a pretty place, to be sure. I am only about 20 minutes from downtown. I like Eric Clapton too, especially this song. But, now don't hate me for forever, but I didn't know he did this. ::hides::
I do have one bone to pick . . . you were in Omaha in '68 and didn't come by to say "hey"? I lived there from '64-'69. I have happy memories of that place. Guess where we moved after that? Des Moines, IA. Well, actually a suburb, but they say now, you can't tell where one begins and the other ends.
Having fun tapping my toes. Thanks, Bud.
oki, who is def living on tulsa time