To Eric Clapton it was like they were saying, "That's all you have to do to be Eric Clapton." They should've dedicated "Let me out" to Eric. That song sound really tasteful.
@@Cayres9 also Clapton was a corporate shill during that era - not knowing what kind of music to put out, and letting the record company push him around - ultimately putting out audio syrup
@@Cayres9 i can play van halens speed - and i have never tried to tap- why would he ? Clapton does not play like todays players . Clapton was more about the song -than mindless jamming at the end of his career ...and made some great LPs -why does everything have to be compared -he was right about the mindless jamming without dynamics ....that word again DYNAMICS
@@Cayres9 Eric can't tap, but Eddie couldn't sing. Or win 18 Grammy Awards. Neither Clapton or SRV are fantastic singers, but they could sing and play songs without other musicians.
I started playing guitar in about 1969, And one of the inspirations that made me choose the guitar was Eric Clapton during his Cream days. During that era, Eric Clapton was The Man. He played the most perfectly phrased, emotion filled, melodic solos, with incredible tone, and unwavering good taste! He was truly one of the greatest Rock Guitar Pioneers!
@@trgrevolucije9 No, I listened to Blackmoore in '68. He was and is a fantastic guitar player. However, it was a much different world back in 1968: And in that world, Eric Clapton was the man!
@@deebop4904yeah, never understand these “underrated” comments. There’s a reason they made it big, because their music is or was popular at the time. They have or have had their limelight, cemented their mark in music, and will live on through their recorded music. Never have been underrated.
I bought the star fleet album when it first came out in 1983 and being a huge fan of Brian May, Eric Clapton, and Eddie Van Halen I was excited to hear EDDIE’s and BRIAN‘s take on blues. I immediately put on side two and remember being disgusted as well by how bad it was. So frankly Clapton gets the win on this one. It was terrible.
@timothymartin2137 No, it shows how far superior he is to May and EVH. Both were not on his level. EC passing gas sounds better then thr crap they performed on.
Eddie was amazing blues player but he kind of just seemed to be playing what Brian wanted, if Eddie made the song with his 80s techniques Eric would’ve loved it.
@@robmorrison1043 and Eric has always been a known Snob, he simply “dismissed” Eddie cos he was the King and Eric was just washed up, he couldn’t even be nice to Eddie it’s so sad. Eric was an asshole and cheated on his wife and didn’t want his kid through the whole pregnancy, then his kid fell out of a 50 story building from because he was left with alone with Nanny in a sky scraper with open windows? Should’ve had more Kindness in your Heart Clappo. Hell he’s even known to be a boomer Asshole till this day what a great legacy lol. On the other hand EVH will go down as the king of the 80s, the king of Electric guitar, and a Great kind soul ❤
it is amazing how many people are negative about some artists and i wonder why...just watching EC with the whole Jeff Beck Tribute concert gave me the chills...have followed him my whole life...some of his work maybe less than others and yes was and am an huge Cream fan..am 70 and i am glad just to watch him...once ordered his Japan Tour on dvd's and it was 12 dvd's i believe of 12 different cities..maybe more or less but each concert the same...i prefer a little more variety...but you gotta understand that the majority of the audience want to hear him play his legendary all known songs...often feel sorry for the artists..but give the man a break....he's been bringing it for decennia..and his approach to the blues is still great...loved the cd/dvd Robert Johnson was great at least for me ...From the Cradle..?? good stuff....Cream Goodbye sure great guitar work but like he and Jack / Ginger said it was a beginning and an end...and inbetween we just jammed...for me after awhile van Halen looked more like a Las Vegas act...oh well...just enjoy music people
You know what they say and it holds true you never meet your idols you're going to be disappointed because you look at them in a light that they cannot possess
Clapton probably could've been a little more tactful in his opinion of the dedicated track (even though he was right), but he was right to say what he did in the Rolling Stone interview. EVH and Clapton will always be legends of their own styles.
I remember reading years ago about Eric Clapton being Eddie Van Halen's biggest influence in the Eric Clapton biography 'Clapton', and how he learned all his solos. 'That's dedication!' and "He's very very fast' said Clapton about Eddie.
(My own experience is this) When the blues get the sole credit for you ever picking up a guitar, immediately followed by the same inspiration, inspiring you to never put it down, this is the only way, in which proper, and even adequate reverence for the blues can be given, or understood. I believe this a similar place Clapton is coming from, with regards to "Bluesbreaker", and towards Briam May and EVH. It took all the genius and blue-collar workmanship of SRV to put any speck of faith in Albert King, to accept him. Does this seem too much for most? Yes, but it's about respecting the few who were there when there wasn't a there. God Bless You All In Jesus Name.
this is sorta sad. I recall back in one of Eddies early interviews (not GP or GW), he was asked what he thought of Jimi Hendrix,,,, "He was too psychedelic for me. I dug Eric Clapton more". It's sad how this went down. We have to remember one of the reasons Cream broke up was because not only did Ginger and Jack dislike eachother but EC was tired of jams like Spoonful.Maybe this reminded him of that. I listened to The EVH/May bit. I can dig the spirit of what they were doing but after three minutes, i was out. my loss...
Cream broke up because Clapton is a dick and ends up pissing everybody off. He did the same thing to his Cream band mates as Robbie Robertson did to the Band by stealing all the publishing rights to their catalog.
Valarie showed a lack of empathy after EC got nerve damage from the jab. EC was also critical of the unjabbed too until he got harmed, then he tried to share it, I guess people wanted him not to share what happened and take one for the team? So odd
Interestingly , Eddie said that he was into Clapton but eventually he played and was more like Hendrix. Eddie used effects, the whammy bar. His playing was very dynamic - he combined rhythm guitar with solo guitar fills .🎸🎸🎸
In early interviews, people just assumed that Hendrix was his biggest influence which led to Eddie constantly reminding them that Clapton was his idol. Before reading his interviews, I always thought it was Hendrix who was his main influence.
just about ALL great guitar players do that...you can't really be a front end/lead guitarist without a very solid rhythm guitar background, and having the ability to "fill in"... Zeppelin, Ten years After, ZZ Top, and others compose and play rhythm and lead together when performing...I can't remember any of those groups using a rhythm guitar except Zeppelin, and he used other instruments, like mandolin and pedal steel...
Absolutely , Eddie Wouldn't Admit the Hendrix Influence .Also Tommy Bolin ,listen to Billy Cobham Spectrum , 73 . I can only handle about 1 Minute of Eddies Playing , No Soul and a bunch of Gtr Stunts .
It’s important to note to younger players that before Clapton, no one was playing like he was at that time. Hendrix idolized Clapton. EVH idolized Clapton. Harrison was in awe of Clapton. Clapton is/was deeply respected by his own heroes, including Buddy Guy, B.B. King, and Muddy Waters. Clapton’s work is concrete legendary.
But remember Eric walked out after a Hendrix show because he was so pissed that Hendrix was much better than him. And Page was good enough to be a session player and when he joined Led Zeppelin, he blitzed Clapton. As good as Clapton is, there were better around the same time, and there is no excuse for being so rude (walking out on Hendrix and putting EVH and Brian down in public. You just don't do that).
@@titmusspaultpaul5 I agree, there is no excuse for being rude. Hendrix gave props to terry Kath and Mike Bloomfield for being awesome players. He even gave props to a cab driver who took him to the studio and wanted to jam. This is what get's me riled up about this King Guitar b.s.
@@titmusspaultpaul5 Clapton walked off stage cos Hendrix blew him away by playing killing floor with cream. Chas chandler asked cream if hendrix could jam with them and well Eric was so blown away he walked off and they found him trying to light a cigarette his whole world exploded. This would be the first time Clapton ever heard him play. This was before he recorded anything in England and he had just flown over there. So it was quite a shock. It’s all in the Hendrix documentary from 1973
@@titmusspaultpaul5 That story is crap. Trying reading a story from someone that was there like Jack Bruce and Ginger. Hendrix fans are like children looking for a mythical God. The best ever is the biggest load of folklore crap. Half his fan think he played with his strings up side down. Hendrix was amazing in studio but a out of tune sloppy disaster live.
@@alwilson3204 but he over played and solo'd for days in cream and even says this himself, you know what i mean, clapton wasn't a black blues originator, i am a massive fan but it's still true, being humble is nice :D
They should have dedicated "Killing Floor" by Howling Wolf, to Eric. Ritchie Blackmore stated in Guitar Player Magazine "In all due respect BB, there's only so much you can say with 5 Notes." Carlos Santana hears BB King; Freddie King, Albert King and Otis Rush influence on Eric Clapton's Playing. Jazz Musicians and Universitys Cite the Blues as the "Grandfather of Jazz" but one has to learn Chords build off 3rds, added Color Tones and Inverted Chords to achieve Harmony & Compliment Melody. The Dominant 5th Chord was the most Embellished as it set up Perfect Cadence returning back to the 1 Chord. Bebop Condensed Chords to the point where Soloists had to play Harmonically so Miles Davis used Modes and Fewer Chords to achieve "Return to Melody." Miles Davis Lp "Kind of Blue" is regarded by University and Jazz Musicians as an extraordinary achievement and Innovation in Jazz History. Miles Davis got tired of trying to Navigate through Sheet Music with Tons of Chords, he said "The Music has gotten Cluttered and the Melody has been Sacrificed to Harmonic Structures." Jazz Musicians call the Blues "Poor mans Jazz," if one endeavors to grow as a Musician it must be a foundation from which to Build off of but there are those that"ll stay in Blues 101.
@@privateprivate4378He changed guitar in a way nobody could’ve thought possible. He was a genius with a guitar, an innovator of what can be done musically with the instrument and a dominator of writing structured music. He did more with music than Clapton, Hendrix, page or any other “legend” before him. Nobody has changed the game like Eddie, after Eddie.
live at leeds is also amazing guitar work by Pete. If you don't know the "my generation medley" with all the guitar solo interludes, I recommend it. Most of Pete's sounds at that time were also only done with the SG guitar volume control, pickups and Hiwatt amp.
The SG years were the Who at their most powerful on stage. Very few live acts have ever come close to approximating that dynamic. The Who themselves never again reached that level. Its interesting but I believe I once heard Townshend say that it was the only way to present musically complex material like Tommy live as a band. There were far too many musical elements on the record that a power trio could never come close to replicating so the decision was made to go to 11 and make the most out of feedback and it was amazing. Of course they tried the extended band approach in 1989 when they toured Tommy again. A lot of Who fans hated it while I rather enjoyed it for what it was. What it was however was not The Who.
@@gozorak Saw that show at Giants Stadium in NJ. I enjoyed it but it wasn't The Who. Townshend himself referred to it in an interview as "The Who On Ice". Too young to see them with Moon but did catch them in 1982 at Shea Stadium with The Clash opening for them. Best concert seen to date.
EVH was anything but humble towards Randy Rhodes, definitely one of his shortcomings, but we all have at least one. But then again, Blackmore is near the top of my list and his personality also preceded him... Like they say... Never meet your heroes 😅😅
Eddie had a giant ego. I think Eddie was like that towards Randy was because he felt threatened by Randy. Remember, they were contemporaries in the club scene. Van Halen just happened to get big first. Randy was playing the way he was before he had ever even met or heard of Eddie. From all accounts Randy was very humble, so the first time they met he tried to ask Eddie about his tremolo and Eddie was a complete jerk to Randy.
@@jamesmccormick875 yep, I pretty much heard the same thing. RR was classically trained and was definitely playing neo classical probably before the VH debut album was even released... two very different styles all in all.. I saw them both, in the 80s.. both were great
@@cryptogumbyckb1183 There is no doubt Randy was playing like before he had heard of Eddie. Yes, they were completely different style of players. I’m a professional musician (guitarist) and in my opinion, based on learning both of their music, I can say Randy played more advanced guitar solos and was an all around better musician than Eddie. Randy was way ahead of his time. He was using scales that weren’t typically used in rock music to that point. I’m not trying to take away from Eddie’s greatness, I’m just saying as a trained musician, Randy’s music was much more interesting to play and that he was just as great if not better than Eddie. Both have influenced generations of guitarist and both changed rock guitar forever.
I just listened to 'Bluesbreaker' as mentioned in this video, and as an admirer of Clapton's style as well as Van Halen's style, that song made me cringe. Playing blues isn't as much about technique as it is about a certain 'feel' or mood to place the notes. I've seen other great rock/metal guitarists try to play blues and rarely does it ever sound right. Perhaps EC was a bit too dramatic about it but I can see where he was coming from.
I was disappointed at the whole Starfleet project but it is a great influential album for beginners to listen to because it's not polished and sterile it made me feel like even pros can sound crappy if they don't manipulated on the multitrack take after take after take if you're just starting off and music and you like Eddie Van Halen and Brian May please listen to this album
He took to it jk-off, cheeseball level. It's music not gymnastics. He never remotely made me feel the musical depth, melodicism, or artistry of guitarists like Hendrix, SRV, or Hackett.
The first well-known Blues song rocked up by Clapton has to be Crossroads. When that came on the radio, everyone but die hard Blues fans were floored by Clapton’s cover. It was done in a way on guitar like no one had ever heard before. One could say that Blues Rock was born when that Clapton cover came out. No doubt, Hendrix was floored and inspired by it, too. Clapton set the bar high and that was a time when Blues players were still having cutting contests. Hendrix said many times that Clapton was the one to beat (not in those exact words, but we knew what he meant).
Clapton invented rock guitar playing with the first Yardbirds album. Just listen to guitar licks before and after that album and you'll hear the huge mark Clapton left in Rock music.
Clapton did sound very VERY good when he did that crossroads live on the farewell tour even though he was NOT the original... never the less when Hendrix did machine gun original Clapton could only imagine pulling some thing like that as far as being original!!!.✌️
Every time I've heard someone say that Eric Clapton is an asshole, the accompanying story always leaves me with that "and this makes him an asshole how?" ... Even how he put his whole reputation on the line to defend his position on the Covid stuff, that shows me that he is a man of integrity. I have nothing but respect for this man. He was wild in his youth, like most young men, and yet he can talk about it today with humility and grace. Really, calling this man a dick or any other derogatory term reveals more about the person saying it than it does about Clapton.
He doesnt put his reputation on the line with covid bro, I never heard his opinion on the matter and plenty had the same idea. Regardless, its not a career killing move, I dont know why that makes him a man of honor in your book. A man of honor might accept a tribute to him with less than complacency.
@@robertappleby4891 I am not aware of any incident where he spoke badly about African Americans. You know that Clapton is British right? You’re probably referring to an incident in 1976, where he went on a drunken rant about record immigration into England, and trying to morph it into yet another story about racism in America. It wasn’t a great moment, but you can’t take one single incident and turn it into someone’s entire identity. He has not said anything like this before or since that time. He’s always said his biggest heroes and influences were the black artists of the ‘30s and ‘40s.
I think Eddie was actually more inspired by Cream than by Clapton. Live At Leeds being his first most essential album, makes me think that it was the style of the music more than just the guitarists, that made him want to create.
You never got into the music of the best??? The late Great Rory Gallagher??? I've been playing and teaching for 45+ years and there was NO ONE who could/can compare.
@@johnsmythe6134 Indeed… I live in Cork… Seen Rory a couple times… Met him once, too… He was phenomenal… But even he woulda told ya Mick Taylor is the greatest and he certainly woulda been the man to “replace” MT in The Stones but that job was always gonna be Ronnie’s which is fine by me, too
@@hankwedelmusic9965 I have always respected Mick and Ronnie immensely, but as a guitar player and teacher for decades, I still would place The Great Rory as #1 due to His all-around abilities as much more than just a singer and songwriter. He lived the blues every day and night. I have been close with Gerry McAvoy for years, and He agrees that Rory had a certain magic which surrounded Him. Cheers and stay safe. From a fellow Irishman. -Love and peace, -Smythie
@@johnsmythe6134 , Rory was a great Entertainer ..more that a great guitarist. I am a fan and have a few of his albums, but he played in tripletts .. never a flowing melodic string of notes like the greats. Maybe it was because he played a strat with low distorion that didn't have a lot of sustain. Mick Taylor could play masterful flowing solos, listen to his live 1984 tour with bob dylan, where he lead guitar held up the whole band.
“Those were the days yes they were those were the days. Those were their ways Miracles everywhere-where are they now? They're gone.” RIP CREAM and RIP Eddie VH
The Wheels of Fire side with Crossroads and Spoonful is the best live recording by any rock band. Jack Bruce was a well-trained musician and working out arrangements with him is what brought out the best in Clapton.
funny you should choose the song Crossroads or should I say Crosscut saw on the album Born Under a Bad Sign by Albert King. Not only did clap Clapton plagiarize the song but He copy the guitar solo lick for lick.
personally i think his version of crossroads is extremely lack luster. I mean when zeppelin does a blues song it sounds better than the original much better but rober johnson's crossroads sound so much better.
@@strider5453 Albert King is one of my favorites but I don't agree with your point. Eric Clapton's Crossroads solo is much different than Albert's Crosscut Saw solo.
"Clapton is God." That was spray painted all around London in 1965. The famous English music producer, Mike Vernon wrote in the English music magazine (Mojo) in 1995, saying that he was floored when he first heard Eric Clapton, complimenting him on his attack, sound and aggression. Then he said that he heard Freddie King and discovered that was who Clapton had copied to get his sound and his attack. Vernon also said that Eric was lucky, in that just about no one in England had heard Freddie King either, so he was able to ride on Freddie's back w/o anyone being the wiser.
Jack Bruce's voice & lyricist Peter Brown were the magic of Cream's songs.Eddie saw Cream as a band with a guitar God in it;it wasn't, it was more than that.I wish people would stop referring to Cream as Clapton's band 'cause it wasn't. It was Jack's band
You could say the same about Steve Winwood and Blind Faith. Clapton did great work with them. But he wasn't the musical focal point nor even the most notable soloist when Steve jumped on the keys at festivals, etc. And we know this, because after that band, Clapton never wrote another opus like "Presence Of The Lord" or "Can't Find My Way Home", without Steve et al. And no way Clapton could have survived in a Winwood band like Traffic. He just wouldn't be nuanced and jazz improv-minded enough, to have functioned in them at a high level.
The power trio Cream was actually Ginger Baker's dreamchild. Ginger approached Eric Clapton with the idea. It was Eric who then recommended Jack Bruce to complete the band. Now, Eric wasn't aware of it, but there was a backstory between Ginger and Jack where they had personally clashed. But they decided to put their musicianship before their personal differences, and the rest is history.
I always felt that in this instance EC should have kept his negative opinion about the song and dedication to himself and not mentioned it publicly to a reporter. When another legend like EVH champions you his whole life, why make negative comments publicly about him? Keep it to yourself and your close friends.
I was acquainted with Mr. Van Halen’s Mammoth bandmate Dennis Travis in the early 1990s. He attested that Mr. Van Halen was a devoted fan of Mr. Clapton - not specifically Cream - in his youth. Mr. Travis was more of a fan of Jimi Hendrix. I also favor Mr. Clapton’s work with Cream over his other work. 🎸 I think that he was too sensitive about Mr. May and Mr. Van Halen’s dedication - disappointment was understandable, but a feeling of being insulted was unjustified. I applaud his stance against COVID-driven tyranny and discrimination. 👏🏻
Clapton didn't stick by his words and ended up playing venues with vax mandates. I guess the almighty dollar wins out over fighting tyranny and discrimination! Which is fine by me, I don;t judge people based on their crazy politics.
Here you have two guys driving in their own lane. EC is at heart, a blues purist. He saw his mission to be bringing forward the music of his heroes to a wider audience. His time in Cream was experimental with two versatile experts at their craft. EC was influence by Jimi Hendrix and they both appreciated their interest in "sonic sounds." That had great appeal to Eddie. In the late 80's Eric was defensive about the booze, it had wrecked his life in many ways. So Eddie coming up to him snockered was off-putting. In 1991-92, Eric was dealing with the emotional trauma of the loss of his son. This was the era of "Unplugged" that opened up a whole new audience for him. It was softer. It would have been Unnatural for EVH to like what Eric was doing. I don't imagine "From the Cradle" by Clapton, a collection of lesser known blues songs from earlier in the 20th Century, nudged Eddie's opinion. Eddie had his own genius; he pulled sounds and riffs out of the guitar that were original and groundbreaking. His playing signaled to the metal crowd to experiment and bring the loudest and most original sound they could muster. Loveable Eddie never really "grew up" or accepted more traditional values. Eric took his cues from the past blues masters. At age 55 in 2000, he's wearing black suits and ties with B.B. King. Eddie might have liked King's styling on the guitar but he never aspired to be a extension of the old time blues as Eric did. As to the discrimination issue, people don't stop to think that Eric received 2 jabs of Moderna poison in Feb 21. Within a week his hands became paralyzed. He couldn't lift a fork, couldn't brush his teeth, couldn't pick up a cup of tea. Most importantly, he couldn't play the guitar. Imagine if you will, that at age 76 , having made your living with the movement of your hands since you were 20 years old, that you hands are useless and paralyzed. Your whole future suddenly looks black. Scary much? The paralysis faded until roughly 2 weeks later he regained movement in his hands that became more flexible over time. He went to his doctor. After discussing it, the doctor agreed that whatever the risk of catching this mild case of flu called covid might be, it was better for Eric not take anymore jabs. Eric talked with the media, repeating his story pretty much like I described above. During the interview he said says he carries 3 pieces of paper that he is allergic to the jab that he shouldn't receive the jab in case of emergency, medical people should be alerted of the fact. He said he wouldn't discriminate among the decisions people made. That's all he said. He's not a "firebrand" or a wild eyed lunatic with his tongue hanging out. He simply reported the facts that occurred to him. He is being raked over the coals because he is such an admired figure and is an iconic symbol of the rock culture. The Powers That Be have said that adverse information is forbidden, and that there can be no tolerance of Clapton in spouting anything other than the "accepted doctrine" being used in Big Pharma's propaganda. The mRNA is not a vaccine; it is a experiential genetic manipulation that has not been through rigorous clinical testing. The strain being used has not been approved by independent government testing. It is not "safe and effective." Objective data from insurance companies show significant increases in deaths and disability claims since the mRNA protein was introduced. That means that Valerie Bertinelli is wrong. Eric is not a dick. Valerie has no class.
Valerie is a Hollywood woke NPC at heart. She may have been a passable actress from her teen years and made a career for herself. But in no way was she in a league talent wise with EVH or even one of the guys from RATT or an unknown death punk band from a TROMA movie soundtrack. At least she has some decent N. Italian genes that dovetailed with Eddie's Nether-Indonesian side and Wolfgang inherited his spatial music ability and most of his chops. Outside of that, Bertinelli was nothing more than a glorified groupie chick/incubator with an above average IQ and supplemental star power to add to EVH's and her power-coupling.
Personally, I find all of Clapton's playing superb. He has lots of style, range, and depth. From the Yardbirds to Bluesbreakers, Cream to Blind Faith, to DB to DD, to his solo stuff. I have really come to love his late-70s/80s solo material! And I don't care about his politics. When it comes to COVID, I agreed with him! Eddie, on the other hand, was unique and game-changing, for sure, but he was also very one dimensional. Great, yes, but, boy, you knew 100% when it was Eddie because he played the same thing over and over. He was also IMO a bit of a jerk. I love to watch his guitar discussions -- I love learning from him. But the stuff he has said about other guitarists.....not cool.
Yes Clapton is absolutely a legend. He is the first generation, a pioneer. He played and hang out with Hendrix. They had to do something really special to dedicate it to him.
I was with Brian & Eddie during this time, they were both acting like Morons, get a hold of me if your interested I’m a guitar tech by trade for decades I’ve got a good story about those 2 fools
@@sanchezgtrs1 Most rockers aren't brains surgeons. Clapton is a prime example. Yeah, let's disregard a medical emergency and endanger the audience that helped you get where you are. Most of them are in the later stages of their lives and have the grim reaper standing over them, but who cares. Out of the 3 mentioned in the vid, only Brian May is college educated and has a PhD in Astrophysics. That doesn't mean he has to act serious all day. Especially around Eddie, who was drunk & high all the time, just like Eric back in the day. That blues track they cut in "honor of Clapton" is probably enough to guess the general atmosphere in the studio on that day.
@@paulrockatansky77 Yeah right. Tell me, what has changed since the days of Tuskegee when the government admittedly allowed a group of African Americans, who were unwilling test subjects, languish for decades with Syphilis just to study the effects. Or the Radium Girls, or the countless doctors who were employed by the big tobacco companies in the middle of the last century to tell everyone how harmless smoking is. Clapton had a bad experience and shared this with the public and then refused to discriminate against those in his audiences who were weren't so keen on taking Big Pharma's word for the safety of their products. If these miracle drugs worked the way we were originally told they do, then those who took the jab weren't endangered, but protected regardless of the make up of the audience. Common sense no longer exists in this country and people learn nothing from history. I should add the the "consensus" in the medical community isn't as widespread as the public believes. I have met several doctors who are skeptical, but given the current climate of censorship and lack of openness about the issue, are simply unwilling to comment on this issue publicly, unfortunately.
Glad we have guys like Clapton and you to stand up to the scientists and experts, screw those morons, you guys got the right idea "Screw other people, even in a pandemic, screw them, I only want to do what I want!" A hole
Musicians need to remember what guitar solos sounded like before the BEANO album which defined the definitive British sound, Les Paul through a Marshall. After BEANO and Fresh Cream you had over a million guitar players wanting to be Clapton. But like Eddie, I soon lost interest in Eric's playing once he went to a strat and I started following players like Peter Green. It would be interesting if John Mayall, Blind Faith, Delany & Bonnie and Derek & the Dominos are inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame. Then Eric will be the Tom Brady of Rock, a 7 time inductee
If they go, Leon Russell has to be right there with them. You think the Carpenter’s song, Superstar, was about Clapton? It was written by Bonnie Bramlett, Delaney Bramlett, and Leon Russell, surprise, surprise!! The irony of that song is that Clapton played with them after he got tired of being a superstar in the spotlight all the time.
The history of Electric guitar in popular music has Eric Clapton firmly at the dead center. Everything else is just noise. There is no best in ART. Thats sports your thinking of people.
Clapton, to me at least, was always at his best when in support as a member of a band. Cream, Blues Breakers, Delany and Bonnie, Derek and the Dominos etc. His best work, again to me, came in those collaborations. And at his best, Clapton was among the best of all time and that music stands the test of time. That music however is the apple to the orange of what EVH brought to the table. EVH's greatest work was on those first 4 or 5 Van Halen albums. Revolutionary, radical, innovative, explosive, brilliant in ways that had never before been seen or heard. Put it this way. It would have been a musical disaster having EVH jam with say Derek and the Dominos either in the studio or on stage(pretending that the time differential in years did not exist) just as it would have been a disaster to have had Clapton jam either in the studio or on the stage with Van Halen. Neither scenario would have worked. It would have been terrible. As terrible as the EVH/Brian May project was. Whatever their personality traits, and differences (and both geniuses could be prickly and even snobbish when it came to their craft and thats ok) their mastery of their instrument was just as different and just as incompatible.
Agree that the best was first 4-5 albums, no doubt! But what is so cool and equally odd is that his gifted solo to MJ on Beat It is arguably one of his very best ever pieces.
Totally agree. They just also couldn’t mesh it as friends . Sad but that happens to us all in a lot of ways , wanting something that just doesn’t gel, expecting more than we get and then being disappointed.
I agree. I forget where, but....I heard Clapton say once in a video that he preferred to play accompaniment gigs much more than virtuoso type soloing stuff.
@@southboundguitar Clapton grew to despise the guitar hero and the solo's that were expected. He is quoted as saying he didn't like being put on a pedestal, that he just wanted to in a band, be one of the musicians, not THE musician! I would think it would get old when your on that pedestal, because instead of just playing and enjoying the bands sound, you'd always feel the pressure to be everyone's everything, and nobody can do that. Probably the worst thing that ever happened to Clapton professionally is the mural that was painted saying "Clapton is God!"
Correct. There's no contest whatsoever. When people think back over the guitar greats, Clapton is up there, Van Halen is frankly an afterthought, waaay lower down the list. Van Halen could play but he was nowhere near as influential or widely respected.
Many great guitarists have walked this earth and in 1972 I chose Eric Clapton as my guitar hero as a 12 year old kid. I picked up the guitar for the first time at age 52 in 2012 and began teaching myself. I'm 63 now and play every day. My only regret is that I waited so long to learn guitar but Eric will always be my favorite idol for guitar .
Good for you! I started playing when I was younger but didn’t understand it much then. I was 23 when I bought a few instruction books. I didn’t have any money when I was a kid to buy any except the guitar. I lent my friend at work a guitar as he is a huge Clapton fan. I said to him go on UA-cam and find a few beginners lessons and you’ll pick it up. Just play about 15 minutes a day so you don’t get put off by frustration. I’m not sure that he is though. How did you get over the initial first starting to play phase? Did you take to it easy?
What adult needs or wants an idol? Are you 63 or 13? I started playing at age 12; I’m now 60. Clapton inspired me for a lot of that time, but I haven’t had the need for idols or heroes since my teens, and that’s maybe why it’s easy for me to admit that Clapton has obviously revealed himself to be kind of a dick over the years. 🤷♀️
Exactly. Swing had always played a huge part in Eddie's style. He & Brian Setzer would've made a perfect fit. I wonder why the opportunity never arose. Maybe Eddie was busy enough doing his own thing.
Interesting, I remember hearing Eddie play Clapton's "Crossroads" solo, and it sounded to me like he didn't really get all the inflections right.. but otherwise, with his own stuff, he's brilliant.. just goes to show you never know..
Inflections are a personal thing, he played it note for note but Eddie will always sound like Eddie. Steve Vai once told me at a workshop that Eddie used to come over and jam and even if he playes Steves Guitar, pedals and amp it always sounded like Eddie.
I am a huge Rory Gallagher and David Gilmour fan. Two sides of the coin? They both have and had the ferocity and gentility that made their style bite a chunk out of my brain! The ability to fly high like Icarus. and bring you back like a 600 hp souped up Ford in the background and home. To be ethereal and vicious at the same time, how can you do that?
I’m a big fan of Gary Moore and I don’t know why I didn’t know of Rory Gallagher. until a few years ago on Quora. I understand that he didn’t want to be famous but more low key. I have seen the videos of him playing on UA-cam and he’s great. Similar but different like Roy Buchanan. That guy could pick strings as good if not better than Hendrix and didn’t use any pedal effects. Listen to the Messiah Will Come. Last but not least I like Eric Clapton’s music and I don’t care about he thought about the Coronavirus vaccines. Nobody’s perfect.
@redbarchetta8782 Sammy says the same thing about Eddie. If you say Eric is a jerk and Sammy says Eddie is a jerk then they both must be jerks according to Sammy and according to you.
@@JDCUSA Clapton is on record being a massive racist ass on stage in front of tens of thousands of people, so it's not just according to Sammy and Red.
2 different generations Clapton was a war baby along side many notable musicians who pretty much defined what Rock n Roll is was and should be, Eddie a 60s California kid, Big difference in attitude and rock history.
I too don't think Clapton's post-Cream 1970s stuff is all that groundbreaking (and maybe it isn't meant to be), unlike his days in Cream and Derek And The Dominoes; that stuff is essential listening for any serious student of the guitar. Obviously, Jimi too nad most of The Who's back catalogue. Fascinating video - thanks for uploading.
Huge fan of EVH as well as Brian May but I agree with Clapton. I was appalled when I heard that blues jam. It literally sounded like it was recorded in a garage. The riffs were not even that great and it seemed to totally lack inspiration.
I love bluesbreaker. The theme song stuff was rather too popish and so it helped made the record. A jam is not supposed to be a perfect composition because it is entirely spur of the moment, which they did a a magnificent job of. It would have been criminal not to have had the tape recorder running. Eric overreacted, not for the first time of course. The Starfleet project vinyl is still one of the few that I kept after throwing out my vinyl collection. It is true that during the 70's Clapton's stuff did suffer by pandering to the pop charts.
To be fair Eddie Van Halen and Brian May were more known as rock guitar players not really blues based Eric Clapton listen to a lot of the original blues guys he was more submerged in the blues and understood it more Brian me and Eddie Van Halen are kind of the next generation and not quite as bluesy much more rock orientated but Clapton did think that that other thing that they did was good
I understand Eric's musical dislike of what Jeff and Eddie did on that song but he reacted to it as if they were mocking him. Who knows? Maybe that is what Eric thought at the time but that's not what they were doing. They really thought he would appreciate it. It's for that reason that Eric should have just said; "I give them an A+ for trying to honor me, but musically? Let's not go there..."
if it wasn't for masters like Clapton and page, Eddie would be working at Home Depot or some crap or picking up gulf balls. they have influenced generations of guitar players and continue to do so after 6 decades.
Eric sent out a rack strobler when he finally heard that round solo. Then after Brian and his friends checked their accord endings and rural tone it was found to be strumming. Thats how they would end up going to Sweden to try to sell the record of it. Thats why Eric did not like it.
Clapton really has no right to criticize anybody's blues jams. Clapton was great in his Cream days and earlier. But after that, his "blues" renditions were dreadful. Even when he performed with the Cream's final reunion at the Royal Albert Hall, his "blues" were total crap. Clapton today is just CLAPTRAP.
People have the right to criticize whatever they want, just as you are sitting there on your high horse criticizing a guitar master. I'm not sure why you think a guitar master has no right to criticize another guitar player, but in your mind, you think you have the right to criticize a guitar master. 🤔
wow this is an awesome documentary it's a pity that the egos of ours too easily get into the ways of what otherwise would become larger than life relationships between influencial personalities. Individuals as the ones portrayed in here, each and everyone, have made great impact on the evolution of guitar playing. Guitar playing, no matter what genre and style and how excellent we really are at it, not just is a great way to entertain us. For some of us it seems the primary voice to express what's really going on inside our inner universes. Some of us, in exchange, and at times, show deficiencies in regular speech-based, non-musical articulation, we lack on the side of everage people language based communication skills, something certainly not been the case for a Frank Zappa, but he always is that little bit more special. Imagine, what they could have created together, the EVH's, Brian May's, Eric Claptons, if back then they collectively could have shown a bit more greatness and open-mindedness, just appreciate each other that little bit more. What this could do for all of us goes way beyond the Blues, it could create all sorts developments towards true peace for mankind. And this is so long overdue. To us ... embrace our egos, but always observe them very closely
I think if Clapton wanted to be really honest and offensive he would probably tell you he isn’t a fan of Eddies style of playing, with all the finger tapping and crazy vibrato. That was never in Clayton’s repertoire, and he doesn’t in my opinion relate to that kind of playing at all. Eddie isn’t a blues player and that’s what Clapton is all about.
I heard the EVH blues track, It has nothing to do with blues but EC response was too strong in light of the fact that Eddie expressed his admiration for EC. Anyone stating that Clapton after Cream was nothing had to miss From the Cradle songs like Five Long Years & Groanin the Blues. Live they're more amazing. I shot the Sheriff live has an extended song ending solo that showcases EC's excellent phrasing and note choice with a touch of speed. There is a live recording of the song Double Trouble which is fantastic. So yes Clapton and Friends after Cream, kicked butt and when it didn't he showed his genre versatility.
Clapton was totally right about "Bluesbreaker". It SUCKS! There's a lot more to guitar playing than running your fingers up and down the neck and playing any old notes.
Clapton was the most limited and overrated player of the 1960's era "Four Horsemen" guitar gods. Hendrix, Beck and Page were all vastly more multi-dimensional in their improvisational lead playing.
It depends how you rate guitarists. EC is not the most technically skilled guitarist-but of the four you cite: Clapton is a walking encyclopedia of blues idioms and has an immense catalog of music in his head which he could play: blues, rock, country, reggae, jazz. The other three did not have that. Hendrix by virtue of being No. 1 on so many lists, is THE most overrated: he had a confined repertoire, couldn’t play slide, couldn’t fingerpick, hybrid pick, and his mediocrity showed on acoustic. He was a great songwriter, a real showman, though, and master of effects. Beck, and Page have their strengths but can’t match Clapton’s broad repertoire and history. There is no “best” guitarist-too many metrics. Certainly the many great country pickers and jazz/fusion shredders, and cats who played everything like Danny Gatton, Tommy Emmanuel, are more skilled than the four you mention. And anyone who saw Terry Kath play in ‘68-‘70 knows why Hendrix was impressed by him. His “Freeform Guitar” inspired JH to do his anthem at Woodstock.
Clapton one of the best for sure hard to say who was first maybe buddy guy Glen Campbell link Wray Roy Buchanan? Anyway Clapton did pioneer guitar playing the sessions with page blues breaker sessions first Marshall with les Paul also his innovative use of the wah wah pedal in cream put wah on the scene unfortunately he became more of a songwriter after cream
Clapton shoes his true colors when onstage , with a good buzz goin on screaming at people in the audience "You fuckin Ni!@%$# don`t belong in England, so get the f%#$ outta my show!!!!" He is boring and predictable. I know what note he is going to hit at the last beat of a four count while it`s the first beat of the bar. Same pentatonic crap that was already boring in 1977, is still boring in 2024. Beck makes him look like a child and Page pushes the envelope(and yes he gets sloppy) and experimented all the time. Ed is miles ahead. Try playing a Van Halen song as Ed played it. Impossible. Not a human on this planet ever will. Don`t believe me? Check out Ben Eller`s vid. "This is IMPOSSIBLE" on his channel here on You Tube. Your jaw will be on the floor, and if it ain`t, there is something wrong with your timing and hearing. I am NOTR saying you even have to like EVH, you don`t. But if you are honest, you will agree with me and 1million other players. I have been playing since 1979-80, and I don`t even bother to try Ed`s RHYTHM playing. His solo`s are not his strongest weapon, his timing, swing, picking and rhythm are. My apologies for hitting you up, but Clapton just rubs me wrong right now. I will say that his live acoustic album was alot of fun though.
It's really easy to overdo it in the field of blues-rock guitar leads. Good players push it too far, cramming too many notes in a bar, and they sometimes don't phrase well. Every, and I mean every, famous classic rock guitarist is at least occasionally guilty of overwrought playing, b/c there's no clear line of separation between brilliance and over-indulgence. No big deal. There's more great guitar playing than any of us have time to hear.
Just because you record something for somebody, or dedicate your recording to them, does not mean they’re obliged to like it. I think it’s unfortunate that Clapton did not appreciate having this blues jam, dedicated to him. But I respect him for not blowing smoke up their asses, and stating why he didn’t care for it. when somebody criticizes my music, but they can point out a reason they don’t care for it, I take that constructively.
Real good job on this.. I defend Clapton often, how can you not ! On the other hand.. Eric could have gone easier on this deal.. he tends to be pretty analytical at times. What can we say, all three guitarists are monster players !
To Eric Clapton it was like they were saying, "That's all you have to do to be Eric Clapton." They should've dedicated "Let me out" to Eric. That song sound really tasteful.
I thought so too, when your toddler gives you a painting for your birthday, father's day, etc. etc. You don't sit there and anylise it, you say something gracious and show appreciation.
@@williamsherman1089 Good point ! Guys and Gals that good can act funny at times about their art.. so be it ! I enjoy all three mentioned guitarists anyway.. ✌️
2:19 Agreed that it was a disappointment! Worsened back then by the cost and effort to get it. One side was ok, and the other was meh. But Clapton was too blunt and open about it. There’s no use in insulting friends especially when they meant well.
Too big a deal made out of all this. A little spit, a little spat, just some guys not getting along. I'm sure in spite of it all they still loved each other. All involved created so much for us all.
freddie king called clapton a tea bag too, story goes he was part of a card game with freddie and eric lost so freddie says something to the affect of “these teabags dont know how to play”
All you have to do is See the Video the Band ''Last Waltz''. Eric try's to out play and finger swipe Robbie Robertson. But Robbie kept on Playing. Never missing a note. And kept up with Eric Clapton. Robbie Robertson obviously was not going to play second Fiddle.
Eric was brave to stand against vaccine mandates. History will vindicate him. The others, like Valerie Bertinelli, will be seen as the mindless sheep they are. He's also a very great guitarist. And mature enough to know that flashiness is for kids.
He also had serious side effects from the human experiment specifically affecting his hands, (kind of important for a guitar player) as of Apr 2023 150 dead doctors in Canada alone. Valerie as disappointing as Alysa, sjw buffoonery shattering reality of yesterdays youthful desire. Pedals done fallen
To Eric Clapton it was like they were saying, "That's all you have to do to be Eric Clapton." They should've dedicated "Let me out" to Eric. That song sound really tasteful.
SRV killed Claptons career in the 80s 😂 he was better so Eric was a bitter man and EVH was just better than Clapton , Eric couldn’t even tap
@@Cayres9 also Clapton was a corporate shill during that era - not knowing what kind of music to put out, and letting the record company push him around - ultimately putting out audio syrup
@@Cayres9 i can play van halens speed - and i have never tried to tap- why would he ? Clapton does not play like todays players . Clapton was more about the song -than mindless jamming at the end of his career ...and made some great LPs -why does everything have to be compared -he was right about the mindless jamming without dynamics ....that word again DYNAMICS
@@Cayres9 Gary Moore is one of the greatests , usually I would rather listen to him than to extra speedy players
@@Cayres9 Eric can't tap, but Eddie couldn't sing. Or win 18 Grammy Awards. Neither Clapton or SRV are fantastic singers, but they could sing and play songs without other musicians.
I started playing guitar in about 1969, And one of the inspirations that made me choose the guitar was Eric Clapton during his Cream days. During that era, Eric Clapton was The Man. He played the most perfectly phrased, emotion filled, melodic solos, with incredible tone, and unwavering good taste! He was truly one of the greatest Rock Guitar Pioneers!
jep becouse you didnt listen to blackmore in 69
@@trgrevolucije9 Blackmore is Guitar God
@@trgrevolucije9 No, I listened to Blackmoore in '68. He was and is a fantastic guitar player. However, it was a much different world back in 1968: And in that world, Eric Clapton was the man!
@@stevia3162 Hello, allow me to introduce you to Jimi Hendrix, the man who blew EC right off the stage at a CREAM gig.
@@aliceborealis I'm sorry you're a little too late . I bought my 1st Jimi Hendrix album back in 1968!
Brian Setzer. An incredibly underrated guitar player.
I have a signed pick guard of his
He's one of the best.
He has never been underrated in his 40 year career. You just found out about him.
@@deebop4904yeah, never understand these “underrated” comments. There’s a reason they made it big, because their music is or was popular at the time. They have or have had their limelight, cemented their mark in music, and will live on through their recorded music. Never have been underrated.
Yeah he really is great. Great tone.
I bought the star fleet album when it first came out in 1983 and being a huge fan of Brian May, Eric Clapton, and Eddie Van Halen I was excited to hear EDDIE’s and BRIAN‘s take on blues. I immediately put on side two and remember being disgusted as well by how bad it was. So frankly Clapton gets the win on this one. It was terrible.
@timothymartin2137 No, it shows how far superior he is to May and EVH.
Both were not on his level.
EC passing gas sounds better then thr crap they performed on.
@@robmorrison1043 delusional.
Eddie was amazing blues player but he kind of just seemed to be playing what Brian wanted, if Eddie made the song with his 80s techniques Eric would’ve loved it.
@@robmorrison1043lol Eric was a random at the time no one cared, EVH was king of the world in 1983 lol
@@robmorrison1043 and Eric has always been a known Snob, he simply “dismissed” Eddie cos he was the King and Eric was just washed up, he couldn’t even be nice to Eddie it’s so sad. Eric was an asshole and cheated on his wife and didn’t want his kid through the whole pregnancy, then his kid fell out of a 50 story building from because he was left with alone with Nanny in a sky scraper with open windows? Should’ve had more Kindness in your Heart Clappo. Hell he’s even known to be a boomer Asshole till this day what a great legacy lol. On the other hand EVH will go down as the king of the 80s, the king of Electric guitar, and a Great kind soul ❤
it is amazing how many people are negative about some artists and i wonder why...just watching EC with the whole Jeff Beck Tribute concert gave me the chills...have followed him my whole life...some of his work maybe less than others and yes was and am an huge Cream fan..am 70 and i am glad just to watch him...once ordered his Japan Tour on dvd's and it was 12 dvd's i believe of 12 different cities..maybe more or less but each concert the same...i prefer a little more variety...but you gotta understand that the majority of the audience want to hear him play his legendary all known songs...often feel sorry for the artists..but give the man a break....he's been bringing it for decennia..and his approach to the blues is still great...loved the cd/dvd Robert Johnson was great at least for me ...From the Cradle..?? good stuff....Cream Goodbye sure great guitar work but like he and Jack / Ginger said it was a beginning and an end...and inbetween we just jammed...for me after awhile van Halen looked more like a Las Vegas act...oh well...just enjoy music people
You know what they say and it holds true you never meet your idols you're going to be disappointed because you look at them in a light that they cannot possess
Imagine that, two artists in disagreement. Both are talented. Leave it at that. 😅
Well said!
Clapton probably could've been a little more tactful in his opinion of the dedicated track (even though he was right), but he was right to say what he did in the Rolling Stone interview. EVH and Clapton will always be legends of their own styles.
"Why Clapton got insulted and why Eddie called him 'Teabag' " Very interesteing presentation. Thanks
I remember reading years ago about Eric Clapton being Eddie Van Halen's biggest influence in the Eric Clapton biography 'Clapton', and how he learned all his solos. 'That's dedication!' and "He's very very fast' said Clapton about Eddie.
Dude, dude, dude. Saying a musician is fast ain't no compliment when it comes from a musical master.
As a player myself most guitar players Do not like Edward Van Halens licks!! K... For that matter Roy Clarke had faster fingers!
@@why67152Thats an opinion alright
Whatever! Go away!!
@why67152 sure you keep telling yourself he can play faster if it makes you sleep at night
(My own experience is this) When the blues get the sole credit for you ever picking up a guitar, immediately followed by the same inspiration, inspiring you to never put it down, this is the only way, in which proper, and even adequate reverence for the blues can be given, or understood. I believe this a similar place Clapton is coming from, with regards to "Bluesbreaker", and towards Briam May and EVH. It took all the genius and blue-collar workmanship of SRV to put any speck of faith in Albert King, to accept him. Does this seem too much for most? Yes, but it's about respecting the few who were there when there wasn't a there. God Bless You All In Jesus Name.
this is sorta sad.
I recall back in one of Eddies early interviews (not GP or GW), he was asked what he thought of Jimi Hendrix,,,,
"He was too psychedelic for me. I dug Eric Clapton more".
It's sad how this went down.
We have to remember one of the reasons Cream broke up was because not only did Ginger and Jack dislike eachother but EC was tired of jams like Spoonful.Maybe this reminded him of that.
I listened to The EVH/May bit. I can dig the spirit of what they were doing but after three minutes, i was out. my loss...
Cream broke up because Clapton is a dick and ends up pissing everybody off. He did the same thing to his Cream band mates as Robbie Robertson did to the Band by stealing all the publishing rights to their catalog.
Jimi was over his head u like him or u don’t
It's ironic that Jack and Ginger kept on reuniting without Clapton after Cream disbanded, despite all the ballyhooed dislike of each other.
@@johnnyalegreworkplace8065 They liked each other. It was Clapton that was the problem.
@@johnnyalegreworkplace8065 All about $.
Valarie showed
a lack of empathy after EC got nerve damage from the jab. EC was also critical of the unjabbed too until he got harmed, then he tried to share it, I guess people wanted him not to share what happened and take one for the team? So odd
Clapton was not “harmed” by the vaccine. He’s 75 and had a massive case of eczema and another neuropathic condition…
I agree! I have even more respect for EC now.
Valerie and wolfie once a cow always a cow
@@ajh180 Me too
Interestingly , Eddie said that he was into Clapton but eventually he played and was more like Hendrix. Eddie used effects, the whammy bar. His playing was very dynamic - he combined rhythm guitar with solo guitar fills .🎸🎸🎸
In early interviews, people just assumed that Hendrix was his biggest influence which led to Eddie constantly reminding them that Clapton was his idol. Before reading his interviews, I always thought it was Hendrix who was his main influence.
just about ALL great guitar players do that...you can't really be a front end/lead guitarist without a very solid rhythm guitar background, and having the ability to "fill in"...
Zeppelin, Ten years After, ZZ Top, and others compose and play rhythm and lead together when performing...I can't remember any of those groups using a rhythm guitar except Zeppelin, and he used other instruments, like mandolin and pedal steel...
Listen to Holdsworth. Listen to Billy Gibbons. You'll hear way more influence from them on EVH's playing than you'll ever hear from Clapton.
Absolutely , Eddie Wouldn't Admit the Hendrix Influence .Also Tommy Bolin ,listen to Billy Cobham Spectrum , 73 . I can only handle about 1 Minute of Eddies Playing , No Soul and a bunch of Gtr Stunts .
I have to agree with EVH, Cream was Clapton’s best work with Blind Faith a close second.
It’s important to note to younger players that before Clapton, no one was playing like he was at that time. Hendrix idolized Clapton. EVH idolized Clapton. Harrison was in awe of Clapton. Clapton is/was deeply respected by his own heroes, including Buddy Guy, B.B. King, and Muddy Waters. Clapton’s work is concrete legendary.
Eric Crapton
But remember Eric walked out after a Hendrix show because he was so pissed that Hendrix was much better than him. And Page was good enough to be a session player and when he joined Led Zeppelin, he blitzed Clapton. As good as Clapton is, there were better around the same time, and there is no excuse for being so rude (walking out on Hendrix and putting EVH and Brian down in public. You just don't do that).
@@titmusspaultpaul5 I agree, there is no excuse for being rude. Hendrix gave props to terry Kath and Mike Bloomfield for being awesome players. He even gave props to a cab driver who took him to the studio and wanted to jam. This is what get's me riled up about this King Guitar b.s.
@@titmusspaultpaul5 Clapton walked off stage cos Hendrix blew him away by playing killing floor with cream. Chas chandler asked cream if hendrix could jam with them and well Eric was so blown away he walked off and they found him trying to light a cigarette his whole world exploded. This would be the first time Clapton ever heard him play. This was before he recorded anything in England and he had just flown over there. So it was quite a shock. It’s all in the Hendrix documentary from 1973
@@titmusspaultpaul5 That story is crap. Trying reading a story from someone that was there like Jack Bruce and Ginger. Hendrix fans are like children looking for a mythical God. The best ever is the biggest load of folklore crap. Half his fan think he played with his strings up side down. Hendrix was amazing in studio but a out of tune sloppy disaster live.
Sounds like Eric had a big ego or something ... it was a gift, even if he didn't care for it, a little grace goes a long way.
So agree with you. He should have just said thankyou.👍
Clapton had a right to be offended by that and is one of the very best guitarists on the planet.
@@alwilson3204 I don't believe they did it to insult Clapton. They were just jamming, and thinking of their "friend...."
@@alwilson3204 but he over played and solo'd for days in cream and even says this himself, you know what i mean, clapton wasn't a black blues originator, i am a massive fan but it's still true, being humble is nice :D
So there's no room for admiring Clapton's unfiltered honesty? We prefer fake sentiments, do we?
They should have dedicated "Killing Floor" by Howling Wolf, to Eric. Ritchie Blackmore stated in Guitar Player Magazine "In all due respect BB, there's only so much you can say with 5 Notes." Carlos Santana hears BB King; Freddie King, Albert King and Otis Rush influence on Eric Clapton's Playing. Jazz Musicians and Universitys Cite the Blues as the "Grandfather of Jazz" but one has to learn Chords build off 3rds, added Color Tones and Inverted Chords to achieve Harmony & Compliment Melody. The Dominant 5th Chord was the most Embellished as it set up Perfect Cadence returning back to the 1 Chord. Bebop Condensed Chords to the point where Soloists had to play Harmonically so Miles Davis used Modes and Fewer Chords to achieve "Return to Melody." Miles Davis Lp "Kind of Blue" is regarded by University and Jazz Musicians as an extraordinary achievement and Innovation in Jazz History. Miles Davis got tired of trying to Navigate through Sheet Music with Tons of Chords, he said "The Music has gotten Cluttered and the Melody has been Sacrificed to Harmonic Structures." Jazz Musicians call the Blues "Poor mans Jazz," if one endeavors to grow as a Musician it must be a foundation from which to Build off of but there are those that"ll stay in Blues 101.
Ed wasn't always right about everything but he WAS a genius!😂❤
What exactly was that metalhead ever a genius about?
@@privateprivate4378 Music.
Eric
@@privateprivate4378He changed guitar in a way nobody could’ve thought possible. He was a genius with a guitar, an innovator of what can be done musically with the instrument and a dominator of writing structured music. He did more with music than Clapton, Hendrix, page or any other “legend” before him. Nobody has changed the game like Eddie, after Eddie.
I can't really recall any great Van Halen songs to be honest.
live at leeds is also amazing guitar work by Pete. If you don't know the "my generation medley" with all the guitar solo interludes, I recommend it. Most of Pete's sounds at that time were also only done with the SG guitar volume control, pickups and Hiwatt amp.
The SG years were the Who at their most powerful on stage. Very few live acts have ever come close to approximating that dynamic. The Who themselves never again reached that level. Its interesting but I believe I once heard Townshend say that it was the only way to present musically complex material like Tommy live as a band. There were far too many musical elements on the record that a power trio could never come close to replicating so the decision was made to go to 11 and make the most out of feedback and it was amazing.
Of course they tried the extended band approach in 1989 when they toured Tommy again. A lot of Who fans hated it while I rather enjoyed it for what it was. What it was however was not The Who.
@@gozorak Saw that show at Giants Stadium in NJ. I enjoyed it but it wasn't The Who. Townshend himself referred to it in an interview as "The Who On Ice". Too young to see them with Moon but did catch them in 1982 at Shea Stadium with The Clash opening for them. Best concert seen to date.
Ya, love The Who. VH told Townshend once that he just had listened to Live at Leeds. Told Pete that he sure played a lot of wrong notes well.
@@cc352 Yeah, I saw the 82 tour at Boulder ...Agreed. Was fortunate to see Moonie in Dec 75 in KC. He was really something ,for sure
Every time I hear Sparks it still blows me away .
Clapton was Eddie’s biggest influence, he openly admitted it.
exactly I never heard him ever bad mouth Clapton
Honestly , EVH came into his own and proved his musicianship. They were just different.
He turned guitar music into a Pizza Hut commercial
EVH was the king of overplaying. It became a gimmic.
He is great.
@@apolloniusbeitsman5444 tell me you’ve never listened to EVH without telling me you’ve never listened to EVH
To bad a lot of bands didn't get a long ,I think they are phenomenal.
Very well said, there are some fabulous players out there and there are the legends of the past, still remembered and revered by many.
Brian Setzer is one of the greatest guitar players and performers of all time !!!
I love rock-a-bily and Setzer is a favorite! Just about everybody's great.
EVH was anything but humble towards Randy Rhodes, definitely one of his shortcomings, but we all have at least one.
But then again, Blackmore is near the top of my list and his personality also preceded him...
Like they say...
Never meet your heroes 😅😅
Eddie had a giant ego. I think Eddie was like that towards Randy was because he felt threatened by Randy. Remember, they were contemporaries in the club scene. Van Halen just happened to get big first. Randy was playing the way he was before he had ever even met or heard of Eddie. From all accounts Randy was very humble, so the first time they met he tried to ask Eddie about his tremolo and Eddie was a complete jerk to Randy.
@@jamesmccormick875 yep, I pretty much heard the same thing. RR was classically trained and was definitely playing neo classical probably before the VH debut album was even released...
two very different styles all in all..
I saw them both, in the 80s..
both were great
Well Eddie thought he was just stealing his tapping, and he did to a point. But no reason to get upset, because Clapton did the same thing to Eddie.
@@cryptogumbyckb1183
There is no doubt Randy was playing like before he had heard of Eddie. Yes, they were completely different style of players. I’m a professional musician (guitarist) and in my opinion, based on learning both of their music, I can say Randy played more advanced guitar solos and was an all around better musician than Eddie. Randy was way ahead of his time. He was using scales that weren’t typically used in rock music to that point. I’m not trying to take away from Eddie’s greatness, I’m just saying as a trained musician, Randy’s music was much more interesting to play and that he was just as great if not better than Eddie. Both have influenced generations of guitarist and both changed rock guitar forever.
@@jamesmccormick875RR was a more skilled composer, agreed. It’s why I was camp Rhoads. Ed sure was making killer tones though.
I just listened to 'Bluesbreaker' as mentioned in this video, and as an admirer of Clapton's style as well as Van Halen's style, that song made me cringe. Playing blues isn't as much about technique as it is about a certain 'feel' or mood to place the notes. I've seen other great rock/metal guitarists try to play blues and rarely does it ever sound right. Perhaps EC was a bit too dramatic about it but I can see where he was coming from.
I was disappointed at the whole Starfleet project but it is a great influential album for beginners to listen to because it's not polished and sterile it made me feel like even pros can sound crappy if they don't manipulated on the multitrack take after take after take if you're just starting off and music and you like Eddie Van Halen and Brian May please listen to this album
Clapton is an excellent blues player. EVH took rock and skill to an entire other level.
He added a much more technical level of plying while still writing it in a way that pop fans could latch onto.
He took to it jk-off, cheeseball level. It's music not gymnastics. He never remotely made me feel the musical depth, melodicism, or artistry of guitarists like Hendrix, SRV, or Hackett.
@@kevinlakeman5043 BINGO!!
Black blues players used to make fun of Clapton back in the '60s
Eddie never could play blues rock music, and never really strummed anything.
Brian and Eddie were having fun, in their own particular styles of guitar playing. Just that.
Yes sure but they shouldn't have dedicated it to Eric Clapton. They had to dedicate something really special to him.
@@karsguitarchannel6088 Please ! ! Eric is a little-girl acting hormonal ! ! ! well he is anyway...................
Eric Clapton is a narcissistic d-bag and racists and I could not care any less about his opinions or the imaginary slights he falsely perceives.
Why shouldn't they? I could dedicate something to you if I admired you. I think this video is blown way out of proportion anyway.
The first well-known Blues song rocked up by Clapton has to be Crossroads. When that came on the radio, everyone but die hard Blues fans were floored by Clapton’s cover. It was done in a way on guitar like no one had ever heard before. One could say that Blues Rock was born when that Clapton cover came out. No doubt, Hendrix was floored and inspired by it, too. Clapton set the bar high and that was a time when Blues players were still having cutting contests. Hendrix said many times that Clapton was the one to beat (not in those exact words, but we knew what he meant).
Clapton invented rock guitar playing with the first Yardbirds album. Just listen to guitar licks before and after that album and you'll hear the huge mark Clapton left in Rock music.
Clapton did sound very VERY good when he did that crossroads live on the farewell tour even though he was NOT the original... never the less when Hendrix did machine gun original Clapton could only imagine pulling some thing like that as far as being original!!!.✌️
Every time I've heard someone say that Eric Clapton is an asshole, the accompanying story always leaves me with that "and this makes him an asshole how?" ... Even how he put his whole reputation on the line to defend his position on the Covid stuff, that shows me that he is a man of integrity. I have nothing but respect for this man. He was wild in his youth, like most young men, and yet he can talk about it today with humility and grace. Really, calling this man a dick or any other derogatory term reveals more about the person saying it than it does about Clapton.
Naw dude, he seems like a genuine douche.
He doesnt put his reputation on the line with covid bro, I never heard his opinion on the matter and plenty had the same idea. Regardless, its not a career killing move, I dont know why that makes him a man of honor in your book. A man of honor might accept a tribute to him with less than complacency.
His rant about African Americans says a lot about him.Period.
@@robertappleby4891 I am not aware of any incident where he spoke badly about African Americans. You know that Clapton is British right? You’re probably referring to an incident in 1976, where he went on a drunken rant about record immigration into England, and trying to morph it into yet another story about racism in America. It wasn’t a great moment, but you can’t take one single incident and turn it into someone’s entire identity. He has not said anything like this before or since that time. He’s always said his biggest heroes and influences were the black artists of the ‘30s and ‘40s.
@@robertappleby4891and he was right, look at London now. Powell’s words have aged very well.
I think Eddie was actually more inspired by Cream than by Clapton. Live At Leeds being his first most essential album, makes me think that it was the style of the music more than just the guitarists, that made him want to create.
Cream was the cream of Clapton
Weren’t we all?
Eddie loved mainly CREAM . He'd play note for note in junior high . He wasn't into Clapton's solo work though .
He had a poster of Clapton on his wall though.
@@raoulduke344 nobodys prefect
I feel the same way about clapton's work... I love all the cream stuff.
Clapton wasn't trying to satisfy EVH, but only himself.
Wow, Eddie Van Halen playing with the Stray Cats! Whoa!!
When you try to do something nice for somebody and it backfires.
my thoughts exactly.. you make a gift and give it to someone and the response is "its awful buddy, you can do better".. kind of defeats the purpose
Too much hate in this world fueled by racism and discriminations. In this case not applicable but still annoying.
Yeah but if that gift is a dodgy tie???
Imagine if these were renaissance painters a protégé dedicated a stick drawing to Michelangelo?
Its almost always a bad idea to meet your hero...
I dig EC a lot…
I enjoy Queen songs
I appreciate EVH
But the greatest blues guitarist
I’ve ever heard is Mick Taylor
You never got into the music of the best??? The late Great Rory Gallagher??? I've been playing and teaching for 45+ years and there was NO ONE who could/can compare.
@@johnsmythe6134
Indeed…
I live in Cork…
Seen Rory a couple times…
Met him once, too…
He was phenomenal…
But even he woulda
told ya Mick Taylor is the greatest
and he certainly woulda been the man to “replace” MT in The Stones but
that job was always gonna be Ronnie’s
which is fine by me, too
@@hankwedelmusic9965 I have always respected Mick and Ronnie immensely, but as a guitar player and teacher for decades, I still would place The Great Rory as #1 due to His all-around abilities as much more than just a singer and songwriter. He lived the blues every day and night. I have been close with Gerry McAvoy for years, and He agrees that Rory had a certain magic which surrounded Him. Cheers and stay safe. From a fellow Irishman. -Love and peace, -Smythie
@@johnsmythe6134 , Rory was a great Entertainer ..more that a great guitarist. I am a fan and have a few of his albums, but he played in tripletts .. never a flowing melodic string of notes like the greats. Maybe it was because he played a strat with low distorion that didn't have a lot of sustain. Mick Taylor could play masterful flowing solos, listen to his live 1984 tour with bob dylan, where he lead guitar held up the whole band.
@@johnsmythe6134
Wonderful to read all that…
No matter what,
It’s good we are inspired
by the music…
☝️🤩☝️
Eddie is the man on what he plays and Clapton the same but they are 2 different player
“Those were the days yes they were those were the days. Those were their ways Miracles everywhere-where are they now?
They're gone.” RIP CREAM and RIP Eddie VH
The Wheels of Fire side with Crossroads and Spoonful is the best live recording by any rock band. Jack Bruce was a well-trained musician and working out arrangements with him is what brought out the best in Clapton.
funny you should choose the song Crossroads or should I say Crosscut saw on the album Born Under a Bad Sign by Albert King. Not only did clap Clapton plagiarize the song but He copy the guitar solo lick for lick.
Jack Bruce!!!
personally i think his version of crossroads is extremely lack luster. I mean when zeppelin does a blues song it sounds better than the original much better but rober johnson's crossroads sound so much better.
You got that right !
@@strider5453 Albert King is one of my favorites but I don't agree with your point. Eric Clapton's Crossroads solo is much different than Albert's Crosscut Saw solo.
"Clapton is God." That was spray painted all around London in 1965. The famous English music producer, Mike Vernon wrote in the English music magazine (Mojo) in 1995, saying that he was floored when he first heard Eric Clapton, complimenting him on his attack, sound and aggression. Then he said that he heard Freddie King and discovered that was who Clapton had copied to get his sound and his attack. Vernon also said that Eric was lucky, in that just about no one in England had heard Freddie King either, so he was able to ride on Freddie's back w/o anyone being the wiser.
Jack Bruce's voice & lyricist Peter Brown were the magic of Cream's songs.Eddie saw Cream as a band with a guitar God in it;it wasn't, it was more than that.I wish people would stop referring to Cream as Clapton's band 'cause it wasn't. It was Jack's band
You could say the same about Steve Winwood and Blind Faith. Clapton did great work with them. But he wasn't the musical focal point nor even the most notable soloist when Steve jumped on the keys at festivals, etc. And we know this, because after that band, Clapton never wrote another opus like "Presence Of The Lord" or "Can't Find My Way Home", without Steve et al. And no way Clapton could have survived in a Winwood band like Traffic. He just wouldn't be nuanced and jazz improv-minded enough, to have functioned in them at a high level.
The power trio Cream was actually Ginger Baker's dreamchild. Ginger approached Eric Clapton with the idea. It was Eric who then recommended Jack Bruce to complete the band. Now, Eric wasn't aware of it, but there was a backstory between Ginger and Jack where they had personally clashed. But they decided to put their musicianship before their personal differences, and the rest is history.
RIP Jack Bruce and Ginger damn .
I always felt that in this instance EC should have kept his negative opinion about the song and dedication to himself and not mentioned it publicly to a reporter. When another legend like EVH champions you his whole life, why make negative comments publicly about him? Keep it to yourself and your close friends.
I agree 👍 🙏
What a trip! Eddie liked Townsend.
I love him too.
I was acquainted with Mr. Van Halen’s Mammoth bandmate Dennis Travis in the early 1990s. He attested that Mr. Van Halen was a devoted fan of Mr. Clapton - not specifically Cream - in his youth. Mr. Travis was more of a fan of Jimi Hendrix.
I also favor Mr. Clapton’s work with Cream over his other work. 🎸 I think that he was too sensitive about Mr. May and Mr. Van Halen’s dedication - disappointment was understandable, but a feeling of being insulted was unjustified. I applaud his stance against COVID-driven tyranny and discrimination. 👏🏻
Clapton didn't stick by his words and ended up playing venues with vax mandates. I guess the almighty dollar wins out over fighting tyranny and discrimination! Which is fine by me, I don;t judge people based on their crazy politics.
First I heard Eddie call Clapton a teabag . All I heard was when he first met Clapton Ed said he was already pretty wasted when he met Clapton .
Here you have two guys driving in their own lane. EC is at heart, a blues purist. He saw his mission to be bringing forward the music of his heroes to a wider audience. His time in Cream was experimental with two versatile experts at their craft. EC was influence by Jimi Hendrix and they both appreciated their interest in "sonic sounds." That had great appeal to Eddie.
In the late 80's Eric was defensive about the booze, it had wrecked his life in many ways. So Eddie coming up to him snockered was off-putting.
In 1991-92, Eric was dealing with the emotional trauma of the loss of his son. This was the era of "Unplugged" that opened up a whole new audience for him. It was softer. It would have been Unnatural for EVH to like what Eric was doing. I don't imagine "From the Cradle" by Clapton, a collection of lesser known blues songs from earlier in the 20th Century, nudged Eddie's opinion.
Eddie had his own genius; he pulled sounds and riffs out of the guitar that were original and groundbreaking. His playing signaled to the metal crowd to experiment and bring the loudest and most original sound they could muster. Loveable Eddie never really "grew up" or accepted more traditional values.
Eric took his cues from the past blues masters. At age 55 in 2000, he's wearing black suits and ties with B.B. King. Eddie might have liked King's styling on the guitar but he never aspired to be a extension of the old time blues as Eric did.
As to the discrimination issue, people don't stop to think that Eric received 2 jabs of Moderna poison in Feb 21. Within a week his hands became paralyzed. He couldn't lift a fork, couldn't brush his teeth, couldn't pick up a cup of tea.
Most importantly, he couldn't play the guitar. Imagine if you will, that at age 76 , having made your living with the movement of your hands since you were 20 years old, that you hands are useless and paralyzed. Your whole future suddenly looks black. Scary much?
The paralysis faded until roughly 2 weeks later he regained movement in his hands that became more flexible over time. He went to his doctor. After discussing it, the doctor agreed that whatever the risk of catching this mild case of flu called covid might be, it was better for Eric not take anymore jabs.
Eric talked with the media, repeating his story pretty much like I described above. During the interview he said says he carries 3 pieces of paper
that he is allergic to the jab
that he shouldn't receive the jab
in case of emergency, medical people should be alerted of the fact. He said he wouldn't discriminate among the decisions people made.
That's all he said. He's not a "firebrand" or a wild eyed lunatic with his tongue hanging out. He simply reported the facts that occurred to him.
He is being raked over the coals because he is such an admired figure and is an iconic symbol of the rock culture. The Powers That Be have said that adverse information is forbidden, and that there can be no tolerance of Clapton in spouting anything other than the "accepted doctrine" being used in Big Pharma's propaganda.
The mRNA is not a vaccine; it is a experiential genetic manipulation that has not been through rigorous clinical testing. The strain being used has not been approved by independent government testing. It is not "safe and effective." Objective data from insurance companies show significant increases in deaths and disability claims since the mRNA protein was introduced.
That means that Valerie Bertinelli is wrong. Eric is not a dick. Valerie has no class.
Valerie is a Hollywood woke NPC at heart. She may have been a passable actress from her teen years and made a career for herself. But in no way was she in a league talent wise with EVH or even one of the guys from RATT or an unknown death punk band from a TROMA movie soundtrack. At least she has some decent N. Italian genes that dovetailed with Eddie's Nether-Indonesian side and Wolfgang inherited his spatial music ability and most of his chops. Outside of that, Bertinelli was nothing more than a glorified groupie chick/incubator with an above average IQ and supplemental star power to add to EVH's and her power-coupling.
Sounds like Valerie has been indoctrinated
These people are characters not real people.
She defended Eddie, pretty simple.
I'm so glad you were there for all of this. Must have been great being Eddie and Eric's best friend 🙄
Personally, I find all of Clapton's playing superb. He has lots of style, range, and depth. From the Yardbirds to Bluesbreakers, Cream to Blind Faith, to DB to DD, to his solo stuff. I have really come to love his late-70s/80s solo material!
And I don't care about his politics. When it comes to COVID, I agreed with him!
Eddie, on the other hand, was unique and game-changing, for sure, but he was also very one dimensional. Great, yes, but, boy, you knew 100% when it was Eddie because he played the same thing over and over.
He was also IMO a bit of a jerk. I love to watch his guitar discussions -- I love learning from him. But the stuff he has said about other guitarists.....not cool.
Yes Clapton is absolutely a legend. He is the first generation, a pioneer. He played and hang out with Hendrix. They had to do something really special to dedicate it to him.
I was with Brian & Eddie during this time, they were both acting like Morons, get a hold of me if your interested I’m a guitar tech by trade for decades I’ve got a good story about those 2 fools
@@sanchezgtrs1 Most rockers aren't brains surgeons. Clapton is a prime example. Yeah, let's disregard a medical emergency and endanger the audience that helped you get where you are. Most of them are in the later stages of their lives and have the grim reaper standing over them, but who cares.
Out of the 3 mentioned in the vid, only Brian May is college educated and has a PhD in Astrophysics. That doesn't mean he has to act serious all day. Especially around Eddie, who was drunk & high all the time, just like Eric back in the day. That blues track they cut in "honor of Clapton" is probably enough to guess the general atmosphere in the studio on that day.
@@paulrockatansky77 Yeah right. Tell me, what has changed since the days of Tuskegee when the government admittedly allowed a group of African Americans, who were unwilling test subjects, languish for decades with Syphilis just to study the effects. Or the Radium Girls, or the countless doctors who were employed by the big tobacco companies in the middle of the last century to tell everyone how harmless smoking is. Clapton had a bad experience and shared this with the public and then refused to discriminate against those in his audiences who were weren't so keen on taking Big Pharma's word for the safety of their products. If these miracle drugs worked the way we were originally told they do, then those who took the jab weren't endangered, but protected regardless of the make up of the audience. Common sense no longer exists in this country and people learn nothing from history. I should add the the "consensus" in the medical community isn't as widespread as the public believes. I have met several doctors who are skeptical, but given the current climate of censorship and lack of openness about the issue, are simply unwilling to comment on this issue publicly, unfortunately.
Glad we have guys like Clapton and you to stand up to the scientists and experts, screw those morons, you guys got the right idea "Screw other people, even in a pandemic, screw them, I only want to do what I want!"
A hole
Musicians need to remember what guitar solos sounded like before the BEANO album which defined the definitive British sound, Les Paul through a Marshall. After BEANO and Fresh Cream you had over a million guitar players wanting to be Clapton. But like Eddie, I soon lost interest in Eric's playing once he went to a strat and I started following players like Peter Green. It would be interesting if John Mayall, Blind Faith, Delany & Bonnie and Derek & the Dominos are inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame. Then Eric will be the Tom Brady of Rock, a 7 time inductee
I like Clapton's solo stuff. It's more mellow but that's fine.
If they go, Leon Russell has to be right there with them. You think the Carpenter’s song, Superstar, was about Clapton?
It was written by Bonnie Bramlett, Delaney Bramlett, and Leon Russell, surprise, surprise!!
The irony of that song is that Clapton played with them after he got tired of being a superstar in the spotlight all the time.
@@johne1599 It's not Delany & Bonnie. It's Delaney & Gromit.
Ray Cooper is much more than just "a tambourine plyer."
I find it funny that Eddie calls Clapton a dick.
funny as in humorous or funny as in strange, or ironic?
I thought it was EVH missus that used the word"Dick"?
@@scottblanton3182 And DLR.
A dick calling someone else a dick. Who’s the bigger one? Ed.
I listened to Claptons book and I would agree with Eddie. And this was Claptons AUTOBIOGRAPHY 😅
It's often been said "Don't meet your heroes. You'll end up being disappointed."
That can be true.Unforrunate.
The history of Electric guitar in popular music has Eric Clapton firmly at the dead center. Everything else is just noise. There is no best in ART. Thats sports your thinking of people.
All these bands are Phenomenal i wish them all well good luck to all of guys and gals.😊😊😊😊😊!
Clapton, to me at least, was always at his best when in support as a member of a band. Cream, Blues Breakers, Delany and Bonnie, Derek and the Dominos etc. His best work, again to me, came in those collaborations. And at his best, Clapton was among the best of all time and that music stands the test of time. That music however is the apple to the orange of what EVH brought to the table. EVH's greatest work was on those first 4 or 5 Van Halen albums. Revolutionary, radical, innovative, explosive, brilliant in ways that had never before been seen or heard.
Put it this way. It would have been a musical disaster having EVH jam with say Derek and the Dominos either in the studio or on stage(pretending that the time differential in years did not exist) just as it would have been a disaster to have had Clapton jam either in the studio or on the stage with Van Halen. Neither scenario would have worked. It would have been terrible. As terrible as the EVH/Brian May project was.
Whatever their personality traits, and differences (and both geniuses could be prickly and even snobbish when it came to their craft and thats ok) their mastery of their instrument was just as different and just as incompatible.
Agree that the best was first 4-5 albums, no doubt! But what is so cool and equally odd is that his gifted solo to MJ on Beat It is arguably one of his very best ever pieces.
Totally agree. They just also couldn’t mesh it as friends . Sad but that happens to us all in a lot of ways , wanting something that just doesn’t gel, expecting more than we get and then being disappointed.
I agree. I forget where, but....I heard Clapton say once in a video that he preferred to play accompaniment gigs much more than virtuoso type soloing stuff.
@@southboundguitar Clapton grew to despise the guitar hero and the solo's that were expected. He is quoted as saying he didn't like being put on a pedestal, that he just wanted to in a band, be one of the musicians, not THE musician! I would think it would get old when your on that pedestal, because instead of just playing and enjoying the bands sound, you'd always feel the pressure to be everyone's everything, and nobody can do that. Probably the worst thing that ever happened to Clapton professionally is the mural that was painted saying "Clapton is God!"
I enjoyed that album with Brian May. Granted, it was just a jam session, but it wasn't bad. I have that tape somewhere.
They should have took their time and make it good but Eddie is not really a blues player
It was just a live jam for fun. I love Clapton but he can be a bit up his own arse. I've heard Clapton play eruption. It wasn't great either 😅
In my opinion and no disrespect, Eddie Van Halen couldn't hold a candle to Eric Clapton. Eddie was a one-trick pony. Clapton was a force of Nature.
Correct. There's no contest whatsoever. When people think back over the guitar greats, Clapton is up there, Van Halen is frankly an afterthought, waaay lower down the list. Van Halen could play but he was nowhere near as influential or widely respected.
Many great guitarists have walked this earth and in 1972 I chose Eric Clapton as my guitar hero as a 12 year old kid. I picked up the guitar for the first time at age 52 in 2012 and began teaching myself. I'm 63 now and play every day. My only regret is that I waited so long to learn guitar but Eric will always be my favorite idol for guitar .
Good for you! I started playing when I was younger but didn’t understand it much then. I was 23 when I bought a few instruction books. I didn’t have any money when I was a kid to buy any except the guitar.
I lent my friend at work a guitar as he is a huge Clapton fan. I said to him go on UA-cam and find a few beginners lessons and you’ll pick it up. Just play about 15 minutes a day so you don’t get put off by frustration.
I’m not sure that he is though.
How did you get over the initial first starting to play phase? Did you take to it easy?
Kudos my friend
What adult needs or wants an idol? Are you 63 or 13?
I started playing at age 12; I’m now 60. Clapton inspired me for a lot of that time, but I haven’t had the need for idols or heroes since my teens, and that’s maybe why it’s easy for me to admit that Clapton has obviously revealed himself to be kind of a dick over the years. 🤷♀️
This had me wishing there was a EVH/Brian Setzer collaboration. Could you imagine a futuristic sounding rock-a-billy album with them?
Exactly. Swing had always played a huge part in Eddie's style. He & Brian Setzer would've made a perfect fit.
I wonder why the opportunity never arose. Maybe Eddie was busy enough doing his own thing.
Interesting, I remember hearing Eddie play Clapton's "Crossroads" solo, and it sounded to me like he didn't really get all the inflections right.. but otherwise, with his own stuff, he's brilliant.. just goes to show you never know..
Incorrect. EVH played "Crossroads" flawlessly. ua-cam.com/video/-1aqyFwGu2Y/v-deo.html
So he did it his way. Good, we already have it erics way, done by eric.
Inflections are a personal thing, he played it note for note but Eddie will always sound like Eddie. Steve Vai once told me at a workshop that Eddie used to come over and jam and even if he playes Steves Guitar, pedals and amp it always sounded like Eddie.
I am a huge Rory Gallagher and David Gilmour fan. Two sides of the coin? They both have and had the ferocity and gentility that made their style bite a chunk out of my brain! The ability to fly high like Icarus. and bring you back like a 600 hp souped up Ford in the background and home. To be ethereal and vicious at the same time, how can you do that?
David doesn't get enough credit as a blues guitarist. Wish You Were Here isn't my favorite of his work, but the guitar work is great blues.
I agree, they are both incredible.
I could put Warren Haynes in that group as well
I’m a big fan of Gary Moore and I don’t know why I didn’t know of Rory Gallagher. until a few years ago on Quora. I understand that he didn’t want to be famous but more low key. I have seen the videos of him playing on UA-cam and he’s great. Similar but different like Roy Buchanan. That guy could pick strings as good if not better than Hendrix and didn’t use any pedal effects. Listen to the Messiah Will Come. Last but not least I like Eric Clapton’s music and I don’t care about he thought about the Coronavirus vaccines. Nobody’s perfect.
Rory was always my favorite. Very down to earth and ferocious on stage.
I love them both, they are 2 of my absolute favorite guitarists of all time. I cried when Eddie died, long live EC
Clapton can be a jerk on his best days.
@redbarchetta8782
Sammy says the same thing about Eddie. If you say Eric is a jerk and Sammy says Eddie is a jerk then they both must be jerks according to Sammy and according to you.
@@JDCUSA Clapton is on record being a massive racist ass on stage in front of tens of thousands of people, so it's not just according to Sammy and Red.
Why can’t I seem to find this track anywhere? I’ve heard this story since the 80s but I’ve never heard the track they sent.
Oh it was available but looks like it was blocked recently
2 different generations Clapton was a war baby along side many notable musicians who pretty much defined what Rock n Roll is was and should be, Eddie a 60s California kid, Big difference in attitude and rock history.
I too don't think Clapton's post-Cream 1970s stuff is all that groundbreaking (and maybe it isn't meant to be), unlike his days in Cream and Derek And The Dominoes; that stuff is essential listening for any serious student of the guitar. Obviously, Jimi too nad most of The Who's back catalogue. Fascinating video - thanks for uploading.
Many thanks!!!
Van Halen sucked!! Crap song writing for teenagers! Running with the devil?!? PLEASE!!!
"I put it on, expecting something." That is exactly how I've felt about every Clapton record since Wheels of Fire.
Oof
Clapton , most overrated guitar player of all time , boooooring ,most good stuff NOT his ,pretender at its best ,F....Clapton
Ouch!
Let's hear your music then pal.
Huge fan of EVH as well as Brian May but I agree with Clapton. I was appalled when I heard that blues jam. It literally sounded like it was recorded in a garage. The riffs were not even that great and it seemed to totally lack inspiration.
Eddie and his guitar were smokin'.
Shame he never wrote any good music.
Van Halen's best song had a keyboard riff, not a guitar riff.
@@LordHighness Which song are you calling their best song ?
@@phillipanderson7398 i think he's talking about jump
I love bluesbreaker. The theme song stuff was rather too popish and so it helped made the record. A jam is not supposed to be a perfect composition because it is entirely spur of the moment, which they did a a magnificent job of. It would have been criminal not to have had the tape recorder running. Eric overreacted, not for the first time of course. The Starfleet project vinyl is still one of the few that I kept after throwing out my vinyl collection. It is true that during the 70's Clapton's stuff did suffer by pandering to the pop charts.
To be fair Eddie Van Halen and Brian May were more known as rock guitar players not really blues based Eric Clapton listen to a lot of the original blues guys he was more submerged in the blues and understood it more Brian me and Eddie Van Halen are kind of the next generation and not quite as bluesy much more rock orientated but Clapton did think that that other thing that they did was good
I understand Eric's musical dislike of what Jeff and Eddie did on that song but he reacted to it as if they were mocking him. Who knows? Maybe that is what Eric thought at the time but that's not what they were doing. They really thought he would appreciate it. It's for that reason that Eric should have just said; "I give them an A+ for trying to honor me, but musically? Let's not go there..."
Clapton is an egomaniac narcissist. It's always about him.
if it wasn't for masters like Clapton and page, Eddie would be working at Home Depot or some crap or picking up gulf balls. they have influenced generations of guitar players and continue to do so after 6 decades.
Congratulations on the dumbest comment of the day!
@swordguystoredotcom7703more influential than Clapton ?!? Not even close, son...Not even close ;)
I've never seen Brian and Eddie jamming man! Wow what is that from. Love the stray cats and Brian setzer
I dont think most non guitar guitars realize how good Brian is.
Are we sure Valerie Bertinelli wasn't referring to EVH when she wrote "Once a dick, always a dick?"
i always thought clapton overrated except for his time with cream
Eric sent out a rack strobler when he finally heard that round solo. Then after Brian and his friends checked their accord endings and rural tone it was found to be strumming. Thats how they would end up going to Sweden to try to sell the record of it. Thats why Eric did not like it.
Clapton really has no right to criticize anybody's blues jams. Clapton was great in his Cream days and earlier. But after that, his "blues" renditions were dreadful. Even when he performed with the Cream's final reunion at the Royal Albert Hall, his "blues" were total crap. Clapton today is just CLAPTRAP.
Check out 'storming monday' 2004 RAH and i think that you ll change your mind
People have the right to criticize whatever they want, just as you are sitting there on your high horse criticizing a guitar master. I'm not sure why you think a guitar master has no right to criticize another guitar player, but in your mind, you think you have the right to criticize a guitar master. 🤔
The track in question is very difficult to find.
Yes it was available but a couple months ago it was deleted
wow
this is an awesome documentary
it's a pity that the egos of ours too easily get into the ways of what otherwise would become larger than life relationships between influencial personalities. Individuals as the ones portrayed in here, each and everyone, have made great impact on the evolution of guitar playing. Guitar playing, no matter what genre and style and how excellent we really are at it, not just is a great way to entertain us. For some of us it seems the primary voice to express what's really going on inside our inner universes. Some of us, in exchange, and at times, show deficiencies in regular speech-based, non-musical articulation, we lack on the side of everage people language based communication skills, something certainly not been the case for a Frank Zappa, but he always is that little bit more special. Imagine, what they could have created together, the EVH's, Brian May's, Eric Claptons, if back then they collectively could have shown a bit more greatness and open-mindedness, just appreciate each other that little bit more. What this could do for all of us goes way beyond the Blues, it could create all sorts developments towards true peace for mankind. And this is so long overdue. To us ... embrace our egos, but always observe them very closely
Eddie. Simply the best.
Your opinion though!
@@kevingill648well no shit.. who's opinion would it be other than his own?
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣@@LoyalOpposition
@@kevingill648 :) thanks for being a good sport :)
I think if Clapton wanted to be really honest and offensive he would probably tell you he isn’t a fan of Eddies style of playing, with all the finger tapping and crazy vibrato. That was never in Clayton’s repertoire, and he doesn’t in my opinion relate to that kind of playing at all. Eddie isn’t a blues player and that’s what Clapton is all about.
I heard the EVH blues track, It has nothing to do with blues but EC response was too strong in light of the fact that Eddie expressed his admiration for EC.
Anyone stating that Clapton after Cream was nothing had to miss From the Cradle songs like Five Long Years & Groanin the Blues. Live they're more amazing.
I shot the Sheriff live has an extended song ending solo that showcases EC's excellent phrasing and note choice with a touch of speed.
There is a live recording of the song Double Trouble which is fantastic.
So yes Clapton and Friends after Cream, kicked butt and when it didn't he showed his genre versatility.
Clapton was totally right about "Bluesbreaker". It SUCKS! There's a lot more to guitar playing than running your fingers up and down the neck and playing any old notes.
Clapton was the most limited and overrated player of the 1960's era "Four Horsemen" guitar gods. Hendrix, Beck and Page were all vastly more multi-dimensional in their improvisational lead playing.
It depends how you rate guitarists. EC is not the most technically skilled guitarist-but of the four you cite: Clapton is a walking encyclopedia of blues idioms and has an immense catalog of music in his head which he could play: blues, rock, country, reggae, jazz. The other three did not have that.
Hendrix by virtue of being No. 1 on so many lists, is THE most overrated: he had a confined repertoire, couldn’t play slide, couldn’t fingerpick, hybrid pick, and his mediocrity showed on acoustic. He was a great songwriter, a real showman, though, and master of effects. Beck, and Page have their strengths but can’t match Clapton’s broad repertoire and history.
There is no “best” guitarist-too many metrics. Certainly the many great country pickers and jazz/fusion shredders, and cats who played everything like Danny Gatton, Tommy Emmanuel, are more skilled than the four you mention. And anyone who saw Terry Kath play in ‘68-‘70 knows why Hendrix was impressed by him. His “Freeform Guitar” inspired JH to do his anthem at Woodstock.
I listened to it. A passive aggressive insult. A testament to the character of the individuals.
Clapton one of the best for sure hard to say who was first maybe buddy guy Glen Campbell link Wray Roy Buchanan? Anyway Clapton did pioneer guitar playing the sessions with page blues breaker sessions first Marshall with les Paul also his innovative use of the wah wah pedal in cream put wah on the scene unfortunately he became more of a songwriter after cream
I totally understand Eric's point.
Van Hayseed should have taken it on the chin, learned from it
and moved on.
When Ed and Al where not playing together things suffered. They had chemistry
Clapton is a prat. He’s also a great guitar player.
Clapton shoes his true colors when onstage , with a good buzz goin on screaming at people in the audience "You fuckin Ni!@%$# don`t belong in England, so get the f%#$ outta my show!!!!" He is boring and predictable. I know what note he is going to hit at the last beat of a four count while it`s the first beat of the bar. Same pentatonic crap that was already boring in 1977, is still boring in 2024. Beck makes him look like a child and Page pushes the envelope(and yes he gets sloppy) and experimented all the time. Ed is miles ahead. Try playing a Van Halen song as Ed played it. Impossible. Not a human on this planet ever will. Don`t believe me? Check out Ben Eller`s vid. "This is IMPOSSIBLE" on his channel here on You Tube. Your jaw will be on the floor, and if it ain`t, there is something wrong with your timing and hearing. I am NOTR saying you even have to like EVH, you don`t. But if you are honest, you will agree with me and 1million other players. I have been playing since 1979-80, and I don`t even bother to try Ed`s RHYTHM playing. His solo`s are not his strongest weapon, his timing, swing, picking and rhythm are. My apologies for hitting you up, but Clapton just rubs me wrong right now. I will say that his live acoustic album was alot of fun though.
It's really easy to overdo it in the field of blues-rock guitar leads. Good players push it too far, cramming too many notes in a bar, and they sometimes don't phrase well. Every, and I mean every, famous classic rock guitarist is at least occasionally guilty of overwrought playing, b/c there's no clear line of separation between brilliance and over-indulgence. No big deal. There's more great guitar playing than any of us have time to hear.
Just because you record something for somebody, or dedicate your recording to them, does not mean they’re obliged to like it. I think it’s unfortunate that Clapton did not appreciate having this blues jam, dedicated to him. But I respect him for not blowing smoke up their asses, and stating why he didn’t care for it. when somebody criticizes my music, but they can point out a reason they don’t care for it, I take that constructively.
He didn’t actually say it , but when George Carlin said “white people ruined the blues”…I know he was talking about Eric Clapton
Real good job on this.. I defend Clapton often, how can you not ! On the other hand.. Eric could have gone easier on this deal.. he tends to be pretty analytical at times. What can we say, all three guitarists are monster players !
To Eric Clapton it was like they were saying, "That's all you have to do to be Eric Clapton." They should've dedicated "Let me out" to Eric. That song sound really tasteful.
I thought so too, when your toddler gives you a painting for your birthday, father's day, etc. etc. You don't sit there and anylise it, you say something gracious and show appreciation.
@@williamsherman1089 Good point ! Guys and Gals that good can act funny at times about their art.. so be it ! I enjoy all three mentioned guitarists anyway.. ✌️
@Kar's Guitar Channel Im am not sure of Let Me Out".. I will listen in a bit... Thanks ! ✌️
2:19 Agreed that it was a disappointment! Worsened back then by the cost and effort to get it. One side was ok, and the other was meh. But Clapton was too blunt and open about it. There’s no use in insulting friends especially when they meant well.
Too big a deal made out of all this. A little spit, a little spat, just some guys not getting along. I'm sure in spite of it all they still loved each other. All involved created so much for us all.
Agreed
“Eddie Van Hayman” - good one.
freddie king called clapton a tea bag too, story goes he was part of a card game with freddie and eric lost so freddie says something to the affect of “these teabags dont know how to play”
I’m sure Eric understood the the alcohol was talking.
Are you drunk?
@@kingofallwhites If you only knew. 36 years ago, maybe.
@@peterbland7227 Congratulations on your sobriety.
@@kingofallwhites Thanks … a day at a time …
All you have to do is See the Video the Band ''Last Waltz''. Eric try's to out play and finger swipe Robbie Robertson. But Robbie kept on Playing. Never missing a note. And kept up with Eric Clapton. Robbie Robertson obviously was not going to play second Fiddle.
Eric was brave to stand against vaccine mandates. History will vindicate him. The others, like Valerie Bertinelli, will be seen as the mindless sheep they are.
He's also a very great guitarist. And mature enough to know that flashiness is for kids.
He also had serious side effects from the human experiment specifically affecting his hands, (kind of important for a guitar player) as of Apr 2023 150 dead doctors in Canada alone.
Valerie as disappointing as Alysa, sjw buffoonery shattering reality of yesterdays youthful desire. Pedals done fallen