Eric Clapton - brilliant 4-min interview (1989)
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- Опубліковано 21 сер 2024
- Few would argue that Eric Clapton remains the greatest blues guitarist Britain ever produced, and one of the most prodigious talents to ever emerge from London during the Swinging Sixties. Interviewed in 1989 for Australian audiences, Eric is disarmingly honest on the rises and falls of his storied career and tells how he finally came to terms with himself and his talent
EC is an interesting character, very real, honest, and down to earth, he never seems to boast or brag too much about his successes but admit s his failures and remains humble. He is also very brilliant at his craft
Like a lot of us, he went through a long trip to clean from drugs, and I see his personality grow more and more down to earth and give love and respect to everyone he meets.
CA
9/22/23
❤
I recently bought a fascinating book on Eric Clapton called "Six-String Stories" which highlights, in pictures, the many cool Guitars played by Clapton over his brilliant career.
If you haven't seen it, I recommend it wholeheartedly!
Described himself as a egomaniac with an inferiority complex
Eric is right of course. If you want to be good on guitar you gotta do nothing but play all of the time for many years, there’s no shortcut.
Oh I never thought of that 🙄
Yes but you've also got to have the right mind, as in memory and intelligence.
I was doing it for 10 years and I was still shit but then again I had a completely shattered index finger that I couldn't bend and couldn't fully straighten to do bar cords, because I had no knuckles.
Down to earth as can be & best at his craft!!!
Clapton is so humble my all time favorite guitarist
I have been a big Clapton fan since I was 15 years old, that was 1973. I think at t he time "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs" was achieving more success in its second release. I bought every record I could find done by Clapton. I was learning to play guitar at the time and along with Kieth Richards and Mick Taylor I studied their styles every day. It was a great time for me and Eric Clapton made it all the more glorious. Recently I watched the documentary about him which focuses on his troubled childhood and abandonment by his biological mother. It must have been devastating to him and is probably the main reason he became hooked on heroin, cocaine, and alcohol. Then his relationships with the women in his life was just as tragic and the loss of his young son is just incomprehensible. This individual is a very strong person although he seems shy and a little withdrawn. God Bess You Eric.
Right on well said🤘
I know exactly how Eric feels because I've been here.
@@mauricebrocklehurst2358 Sorry for your pain. I hope you are able to overcome and live on. Peace my friend.
@@es2056 thank you that's so kind, but it's true what Eric sang, nobody knows you when you're down and out.
I'm not sure if I want to stay here anymore.
Eric is a top guy, listen to his words there true. Clapton tons of love and respect from liverpool
Hey Eric I went through one of your crossroads programs 20 years ago more or less and I want to thank you, it changed my life forever and for better you deserve credit for this man thanks.
Congratulations ⚡️👏🏻👏🏻
Hendrix is heavily lauded, but Eric really set the formula for rock guitar players. He lacked the flash of Hendrix, but when you breakdown what he was doing it’s clear that the formula was set from that point forward. People have embellished what he did, and many have surpassed him technically (widdle), but all rock guitarists owe him a massive debt.
les paul credited as second best Electric guitarist cause he played like crazy and he invented it
Well said Don. I agree whole heartily!
@@dancingtrout6719 Les Paul was an interesting, innovative guy and a whole lot more technical than Eric. He was an absolute beast of a guitar player, not just then but in any era as was Chet Atkins. Most guys couldn’t look at what they did. Paul didn’t have the worldwide impact that Eric had though. Blazing away with a Les Paul or an SG through a wall of Marshalls while Ginger and Jack thundered away broke the mould.
ALL GUITARISTS is the part you got right.
Yes eric😊you made it away from drugs 😊love you😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Just one of the greatest ever
Even if you're not an Eric Clapton fan, you certainly should respect him for his candor.
Lovely interview. He's very straight down the line and open person. Self aware.
I will have to agree with Eric. I love the sound of an electric guitar as well. It just steals my heart. No wonder I wind up with electric guitarists :).
Frank and honest. Aways eye-opening and endearing to hear him speak.
geweldig,ik hou ook van een elektrice gitaar,wie niet !!!
It's hard to dislike Clapton when you see him be so genuine.
It's hard to dislike Clapton, period.
Clapton is GOOD! 😉🇬🇧🇬🇧
I'VE SEEN ERIC OVER 200X, I LOVE TO WATCH HIM PLAY, AND HAVE NEVER MISSED A SHOW, FROM THE 70'S 80'S 90'S 2000'S LISTENING TO 10 -15 MINUTE SOLO'S HE'S BEEN MY FAVORITE MY WHOLE LIFE, HIS MUSIC, OF MANY GENRES SPEAKS TO MY SOUL, AS IF HE'S PLAYING JUST FOR ME, I LOVE HIM, I'VE BEEN TO BENEFIT SHOWS TO WATCH HIM PLAY 2 SONGS, THANK-YOU MR ERIC "SLOWHAND" CLAPTON FOR ALL YOUR MUSIC, GOD BLESS YOU
Hey paisano , you like the blues too.
@@pstick9934 IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE, GOTTA SAY THAT SRV WAS OFF THE CHART GREAT, SEEN HIM 30X, JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH, STATA BENE' PAISANO
@@anthonymorelli1532 the song walk a mile in my shoes by daddy wilson singer , morbioli smokes on guitar
@@pstick9934 GREAT JAM BIG DADDY WILSON WOW AND MORTIBOLI IS SO GOOD AND NEVER REALLY GOT THE RECOGNITION, THANKS FOR THE TURN ON
@@anthonymorelli1532 it took awhile before big daddy yells roberto so hecan come in and solo , i went to the fridge for some capicol and cheese , and some olives too .
Clapton one of THE guitar players that's a staple of my playing since I started!
I was a fan of Eric when I was 15 but that was in 1968 lol it’s been a fun run. Eric is the best of all time!
i didn't know him until mid 70's
True Brilliance- After all the years of playing I think I owe Clapton the most because he gave me the confidence to solo. His solo's are deceptivley simple but the amount of emotion and elevation are boundless. His style will always be with me. Tony Iommi aswell for riffing but the sound of Cream will always work itself into my sets because it goes back to the raw primitive vein of the blues. Hendrix n Page were more abstract but early on E C was very assesible n it gave me the courage to play more intricate stuff later Disraeli Gears Forever!
I have been a loyal fan of this great guitarist since the early Yardbirds days and will continue to be - accepting and understanding that his music has been changing in many directions over the years, to me his bluesplaying is the best. As a person he has always been somewhat shy, introvert or serious, for several understandable reasons, but in my older years now 74 I for some reason kind of got more fond of Keith Richards, who from a fanpoint of view seems to be a more friendly and regular guy. But anyway they are both my heroes and will be to the day I die. Blues forever!
Well you're missing out on the 5000 guitars fender has built that are making custom sounds but nobody's playing them.
Are you a good slave? Stop living other people's lives 👉 The Connections (2021) [short documentary] 🔥
Gibbons????
So glad I got to see him once... did a great Motherless Children...
bless you Eric
Great player, pinched most of my riff's and licks 🎸🎶😁
Thank you Eric Clapton. I love you and your music 🎵
Sincerity is his other gift
How utter sweet and spot on for you to simply say. Struck a chord. I cried on that just for a second. I wish he could have heard you say that. And...it takes one to know one :)
Eric is the greatest of his generation.
Thanks 🙏
@@ericclapton8396 You are NOT Eric Clapton.
Bless you, Eric ...I've loved you and your work for 53 years, since Blind Faith ( I was 15 yrs old ). Thank you for such beautiful music all these years. Thank you, to the person who posted this. Such a pleasure.
Amazing
I saw him live in Auckland New Zealand at the end of 1990
Living legend.
Awesome Interview Thankyou. Eric Clapton and Richard Wilkins are masters of their craft. Cheers
Reverend Robert Wilkins.
I read an interview years ago where he said when he would break a string on stage in the yardbird days it would take him a long time to change the string so somebody started calling him slow hand
Good to hear that even Eric got sore from playing. Then it's still hope..😅
Thanks for posting!
One of my favorite interview clips so thank you very very much for posting this
Most great talents are very humble and are not full of themselves I believe Eric Clapton is a prime example. I was fortunate enough to see Cream performing live back in the day and the combined talent of that trio was beyond amazing.
I am a huge Clapton fan, but I must say; Eric is very adept at appearing humble to others. I can assure you, he is actually quite arrogant in real life. He is competitive beyond measure.. and can be at times, very passive aggressive.
..but he lets his guitar playing do all the boasting,, and in that regard, I still think he’s tops. I’m still a fan , although the antivax stand he took a while back was pretty narcissistic. he should probably continue to stay out of politics. historically, his political persuasion is right wing.. which would alienate most of his fans I think… and it’s a bit odd, considering that most of his stated heroes are old black men.
I was there too!
@@rca245 You couldn't have said it better. Spot on.
I agree when cream were really on there was nobody to touch them, live in concert they were astounding.
Even better than Oasis 😅
-you can see why he was able to be accepted by.. and play alongside... other great guitarists
Thank you Eric it is a gift God given talent we all 💘
LEGENDARY..
Excellent!
Down to earth kind of dude.
Another Legend, Icon, National Treasure ! A Brilliant Artist !
Oh thanks.
If it wasn't for me we wouldn't be getting anywhere.
I've heard you talk shit for 5 decades, so now we crush your sick gossip.
Thumbs up from a 72 year old scoucer , seen em all back in the day.
Interviewed by Dick Wilkins in Aussie. '89 was when Journeyman came out which is a great album. Thanks for this sly.
Thanks for this info!
EC , hated on , much maligned . Gotta love this guy , warts & all. Bery cool, very human,. Keep rockin Eric
Seen slow hand twice the bomb
Any underrated gems song from Clapton😊 somebody could recommend
the rarest of rare… a great vocalist who doesnt think he is a good singer… perhaps one of the best most influential (the yardbirds, the blues breakers, cream, traffic, Derek and the dominos, and that beautiful solo career…) guitar players ever yet he isnt sure about that.
a superstar that never embraced stardom… an unpretentious every day man…. a poet for the ages
I read that the nickname " Slowhand" was because he was playing with the Yardbirds at the Marquee Club and occasionally broke a string during a number.
This happened twice and when Eric started to change the string again,the audience started a "slow hand clap."
It was done in good humour and he got a loud cheer when he was ready to play again.His manager picked up about a "slow hand clap" for "slowhand Clapton" and the name stuck.
To think sill one of my favourite albums " Five live Yardbirds" was recorded at the Marquee in 1964.Bloody genius on the guitar !
I also read that explanation and that early on to get the string bend he wanted he used to use a banjo string for the e string, which would of course break easily and, yes he got slow handclapped while he replaced it. Might be complete rubbish of course.
I’ve heard the same thing several times lol , it’s funny kinda funny how he plays dumb to that. I’m sure somebody’s brought it up.
Did you read about me?
UA-cam is all about ME!
Why do humans say the same wrong information over and over for 50 years?
Shut up.
Go away.
What a brilliant man!
The SlowHand thing happens to be a funny name a buddy from the Yardbirds gave him when Eric used to break a string at almost every first song of the set (and he needed time to change it)
1 of my all time concerts that I still often watch? is the Nelson Mandela birthday concert when Eric joined Dire Straights as lead guitarist. There is an old saying which goes, 'it aint whatcha do, its the way thatcha do it'. In that concert? Eric excelled himself into true Rock n Roll music and he really was, a joy to watch. Tc Eric. Ps. DONT tale any more bloody vaccines you muppet! (you were VERY lucky mate!) (:
"I was Deadly serious about what I wanted to be"
Such a talent-wonderful sound- a little one dimensional for me
First time I was aware of and really heard Eric's playing was on the Bluesbrakers LP. I remember thinking, this guy is right up there with Mike Bloomfield!
Biggest takeaway here for the musicians would be that he spent practically 24hrs a day practicing on his guitar with records from 16 to 21 years of age.
I tried to contact him since I'd like to try a therapy for his neuropathy that he suffered as vaccine accident.
I've included something down in the comments section. It's my two cents on the subject.
Thanks for posting. These days it’s fashionable to have a bullshit opinion about EC, based on nothing but malicious Twitter bollocks.
But I think he is exactly what he seems to be - a quiet, reserved (for a top musician), and modest sort of guy - who knows that he is/was one of the very best ever - but doesn’t feel the need to constantly prove the fact.
Mentioning his racist comments isn't malicious bollocks - it's holding the man to account for what he said... and hasn't apologised for saying. It's pertinent given that his career is based on copying black musicians.
@@GrumpyOldGit60 How pompous and petty are you? And how perfect must your life have been, that you can hold a grudge against someone you’ve never met for quite so long!! To STILL be dragging up a lamentable incident, 46 years after the height of his admitted booze/drug addiction, against a 70+ y/o man, would seem to mark you down as either a saint or a hypocrite ……. And I know which one my money’s on.
Ask yourself one thing - if you can break through your White Guilt for a second - but if this man is so entirely, irredeemably racist, then WHY were Black artists from BB King down, prepared to collaborate with him, tour with him repeatedly, and list him amongst their greatest influences in music?
Maybe because they understand more of the REAL man than narrow-minded, puritan hypocrites like you ?
@@GrumpyOldGit60 Eric Clapton delivered a racist rant once, during a live performance in 1977 (almost 50 years ago). He was an alcoholic and a hard drugs user at the time; and was drunk during the concert.
Since then Eric has apologised several times for his behaviour: saying that he was 'disgusted' with himself for his 'chauvinistic' and 'fascistic' comments on stage, adding: "I sabotaged everything I got involved with." Also that "I was so ashamed of who I was, a kind of semi-racist, which didn't make sense. Half of my friends were black, I dated a black woman and I championed black music".
@@RhiannonFan I find it amazing that thousands of people claim to have heard the alleged rant yet there is no tape of his going off the rails.
Getting strong Keanu Reeves vibrations with this Clapton......
Yeah, but unlike Keanu Reeves, I think Eric Clapton likes women !
@@Stublinsky lol
He kind of looks like Alan Watts
Loved early Eric- up to Derek & Doms-
But these ‘super guitarists’ of the late 60s - 70s did a number on the more erudite fields of songwriting and production. One could say - really harming the art of that.
Slowhand came from him being slow at changing guitar strings...😂😂😂😂
He's always been one of my favorite guitarists especially with cream and he seems very genuine and humble in his interviews
ElectRIC Clapton
He sounds like George in this
I noticed that.
Are Clapton and Chuck Norris the same person. Coz that would explain his playing
I seen an interview once with the yardbirds band mate say he got the name slowhand because he snapped the string and it took him ages to put a new string on , so the other band mates carried on playing until he fixed it 🙄 but it was probably them just joking 🤷
It’s a shame that he switched from British blues (Les Paul, Marshall) to American Country (Strat, Tweed).
A Les Paul through a Marshall is your definition of British Blues? That's preposterous.
And there is no such thing as British Blues.
And your the type who'd prefer him playing Crossroads his entire life instead moving on and growing as an artist. No Delaney and Bonnie period; no Derek and the Dominos; no 461; no Wonderful Tonight or Tulsa Time.
If it were up to you, there would be no music with JJ Cale or Duane Allman. Duck Dunn would never be in his band. No Marci Levy. No Steve Gadd. No Andy Fairweather Low. No Glyn Johns. No Steve Jordan.
Nobody. Just Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. Year after year. Decade after decade. Blasting away on his "British Blues" rig of a Les Paul through a Marshall. Good Grief.
Thank God he never turned to you for career advice.
@@tomcarl8021 I’d be with Jack on that one!! He was making a brief remark, on something he feels viscerally (as do I) not compiling an essay for the approval of sneering aficionados who (for example) think that Rolling Stone was ever a worthwhile and objective forum.
Eric’s music has so many phases - each quite different from the one before. Not to have a preference, is to not understand the art, or the era, or the associations it provoked in YOU. Sure, you can appreciate other eras (as I also do) but not to have a preference would be weird.
What epitomised his classic “British Blues” style (most definitely a REAL thing) WAS produced on a Gibson, through a Marshall - and I personally always preferred the SG period, but that’s irrelevant. But in those days his playing was transcendent, iconic, and truly original, but produced at great personal mental cost to him. The Delaney & Bonnie/Dominoes era, was EC trying to wean himself off a lifestyle that was literally killing him - not a repudiation of his former music, from which he simply moved on - but not necessarily moved up.
You really should try to let others have - and enjoy - their own thoughts and memories, without being snobbish and pseudo-studious - because the love of music is a highly subjective thing, which is a big part of what makes it great and uplifting and emotional. You are as entitled as the next guy to have a different opinion, but why present it in such a preachy and condescending way?
@@mikegray8776 So, if Duane Allman and Dickey Betts decided to switch to Marshall amps, would they suddenly be designated as British Blues players?
Slash is a Les Paul player through a Marshall. Was Guns and Roses a British Blues band?
How about Peter Green? What if he never played through a Marshall? Would he then NOT be a British Blues player?
And Clapton primarily used a Tele in his period with the Yardbirds. So, what the hell do you call the early Yardbirds?
And Brian Jones used a Vox guitar through a Fender amp when they recorded Little Red Rooster. NOW, I'M REALLY CONFUSED!!!
Both of you are ridiculous.
@@tomcarl8021 Your Specialist Subject would appear to be ‘Missing the Point Completely’
I don’t doubt that you now feel rather proud of your ridiculous response - but if you re-read the two comments you replied to, you will see that you were tearing into a point that was never actually made!!
No-one but a total moron would ever define a style or genre of music by the make of instrument it was played on !!!!
Gibson Clapton is best Clapton
The ‘anti-vax’ thing is a sad end to an incredible story of a good artist who has re-created himself brilliantly many times musically & humanly.
If you call that a vax, you don't know anything. I am a holder of a MD by the way. And no, it's not the end of the story, you pick the vinyl, put it on the turntable and its the beginning again.
Downvotes are now hidden for this sort of post. Haha
The vax nearly ended him permanently
It's healthy to be terrified of booze & drugs
I think the OP meant to say that few would argue that Clapton iSN'T the greatest blues guitarist that Britain ever produced. That's something I would agree with.
les paul was crazy about the Electric guitar more so...giggle
the clapper
Very very interesting ...all of it... so, no practicing while on tour...hand would get too sore, hmm.wow
Name a guitar player than Clapton in 1970s.
You probably can't. I don't care about his politics.
Mark Knopfler. Always was a better player
@@MulcenjeDolsina 1970s? Knopfler is great, love his work, but he had 3 at best years to shine in the decade of the 70s. What he did then doesn't stand up against ALL Clapton's work in the 70s. Even my favorite Straight's album Making Movies was in, what, 1979? Not an entire decade of work there.
Saying who was best ever guitar player is subjective as to one’s preferences. So my personal favorites from those times was Duane Allman, Terry Kath and Alvin Lee
@@wecandobetter9821 All good players. I stupidly neglected to include a qualifier in my post.
@@Jeff-bz6jp give us both some time to stroll down memory lane we could name 20-25 great guitarist from that era
I feel blessed to have been a part of it.
Booze and drugs ,just takes so much away from people , we don’t realise
Clapton is god!
Skydog
Clapton was never the same after the Dominos
True
heroin will do that. but he was still great just changed what music e played
ik heb er 1 thuis,had gitaar les,gestopt wegens tijdgebrek,eigenlijk jammer!!!!
Great guitarist and I have many of his albums right from the Yardbirds to the present day but I don’t like him as a person.
The company that I worked for had a run in with him. He came across as arrogant and not bothered about anyone else and caused trouble just for the sake of it, his star status clearly going to his head. Maybe he got off by being a bully but on this occasion he was in the wrong and didn’t win.
There are many stories from NZ of a deeply unpleasant man. As a kid I forked out big to see him live in 1975 and he was contemptuous of his audience and deliberately lousy in concert. However his immense talent peaking with Layla album can never be denied, one of my favourite albums
@@slydogmania yes a very talented person but horrible. He thought he would get his own way with my company but we would not back down. He was being down right nasty for no reason at all, just for the sake of it. Perhaps he was bored and thought he would have some fun at other peoples expense. Didn’t work though and only put people off him.
😴
The guy threw away 10 prime years of his life where he could've been making great songs. Pathetic.
"don't tug on Superman's cape"
Silly hair Eric. Maybe a midlife thing.
I dont think Eric had the monopoly on bad hair cuts! (:
Considering it's the 80's he's looking sharper than most. At least it's not a mullet which was rampant at the time.
Hey this interview only went for 3.44 mins. This is total clickbait!!
He forgo education but made a fortune appropriating black music. Still, Clapton suffered.
He's trying to be humble
So over rated guitar player
If you think that then you really don’t know what you’re talking about.
@@srhendx7 Oh I do and he very much is. He wrote some amazing stuff over 45 years ago and hasnt done much since. Millions can play his easy blues pentatonic licks. Very over rated . So are Nirvana, GNR and many other half ass bands. Plenty of amazing classic rock and other forms of rock bands to choose from.
@@GuitarguyRichard56 I stand firmly by my first comment, but you are entitled to yours,so have a good evening 🤟🤟
@@srhendx7 Sure. Over rated doesnt mean bad. He isn't.
Why is he overrated math guy? Because he only knows one scale and five licks? That's no reason to...wait a minute..maybe he does suck?
Nothing brilliant about it.
Fender has moved on.
Somebody's selling their Clapton strat and nobody wants it.
Guitar production has left Clapton behind.
The Clapton guitar is lost to time now.
It doesn't even compete with a basic 2022 stratocaster.