I don't "get" Eric Clapton

[blue4]

It makes a lot of sense how clueless those folks are to the realities of life, when you realize those realities rarely applied to them. They never had to do that common sense stuff everyone else did to survive. They became successful despite some very egregious habits, and generally did their best work when under the influence of their worst habits.

I mean, if folks had come up to you and told you "yeah X was the best song you ever did" and your memories of recording X involve multi-day coke benders, it's hard to really know which way is up, so to speak.

Probably so, but man you really gotta be out there if you don't realize that you actually have to pay taxes on 100 properties that you own. But, to give credit where credit is due, I've never heard a single person ever say Mick Fleetwood wasn't a great guy.

 

[gbrooding]

No matter what you say, I'll argue with you.

Made me chuckle!

 

[tbz]

Probably so, but man you really gotta be out there if you don't realize that you actually have to pay taxes on 100 properties that you own. But, to give credit where credit is due, I've never heard a single person ever say Mick Fleetwood wasn't a great guy.

Those guys are so sheltered from reality, and became famous so young (like barely in their 20s) that I honestly would not be surprised if he literally did not know that. You gotta remember those guys became famous at an age when most of us are really learning that type of "how to deal with reality" stuff.

 

[cdef]

That's because his crap is easy to learn, and drunk people like it.

If you're serious, then this collectors' item is for you, bud. I've been waiting for a place to drop it.

 

[blue4]

Those guys are so sheltered from reality, and became famous so young (like barely in their 20s) that I honestly would not be surprised if he literally did not know that. You gotta remember those guys became famous at an age when most of us are really learning that type of "how to deal with reality" stuff.

Yeah you're right. It just occurred to me that Mick Fleetwood and John McVie played with Eric Clapton in John Mayall's band. I think anyway.

 

[slobake]

If you don't Clapton you don't like him no problem. He is a great guitarist though. There are a lot of great musicians others don't get, Steve Cropper and Django Rienhardt come to mind. Not really getting what they were about doesn't mean they weren't great musicians.
There are probably some musicians that people love here that I don't get and that's okay. We like what we like.

 

[adi77]

I don't think one should or is supposed to like any music based on its hype... either you like it or you don't or it grows on you..

 

[Biggbass]

I get the "Clapton is God" thing.. only because back then he was a highly skilled player among a sea of
intermediate guitarists and the music he was involved with was anything but the pop junk that the record companies put on the radio.
But there are other great guitarists who were playing during the same years that didn't get the accolades Eric received. Example: Mick Box of Uriah Heep could play circles around Eric from a technical perspective. Listen to his solo work on the song Salisbury...amazing.

 

[High Camp]

"Wonderful Tonight" is a brilliant song! It got plenty female attention, playing that song...

 

[adi77]

I get the "Clapton is God" thing.. only because back then he was a highly skilled player among a sea of
intermediate guitarists and the music he was involved with was anything but the pop junk that the record companies put on the radio.
But there are other great guitarists who were playing during the same years that didn't get the accolades Eric received. Example: Mick Box of Uriah Heep could play circles around Eric from a technical perspective. Listen to his solo work on the song Salisbury...amazing.

also robin trower

 

[will33]

If you don't Clapton you don't like him no problem. He is a great guitarist though. There are a lot of great musicians others don't get, Steve Cropper and Django Rienhardt come to mind. Not really getting what they were about doesn't mean they weren't great musicians.
There are probably some musicians that people love here that I don't get and that's okay. We like what we like.

If I got to put together a band cherry-picking from all the known musicians who ever lived, Steve Cropper would be guaranteed a spot.

 

[Biggbass]

also robin trower
and Ritchie Blackmore - His work on machine head was ground breaking.

 

[will33]

"Wonderful Tonight" is a brilliant song! It got plenty female attention, playing that song...

Last coverband I was in, we had a decent amount of upbeat, jumpy, funky type of tunes that you knew would get people out on the floor dancing.

Never once was the dancefloor more packed than it was for Wonderful Tonight, each and every time we played it.

Like it or not, there's something about it.....

 

[divetone]

I think EC's talent, savvy and a certain amount of charisma helped him to be placed on that pedestal pretty early in his career. I remember discussions with musician friends (jazzers and blues hounds alike) way back in the early '70's who didn't think he was worthy. Kind of a sour grapes thing. Fast forward to 2014..............
Myself, I always liked the emotion and coherence in his solos as well as his TONE.

 

[Walfretless5]

Not a fan...but he is good at what he does.As far as the best guitar player, not even close. Opinions are subjective.... What constitutes greatest guitarist or bassist for that matter? Technical ability? Musical knowledge of Harmony? Improvisational skills? I don't think E.C. is at the top of his class on any of them. He has obviously reached a lot of people with his music (which has nothing to do with his guitar ability) and I heard some here mention that he is an all around good musician , songwriter ,vocalist, blah ,blah ,blah. Still doesn't make him a great or THE greatest guitarist which is the topic of the OP.

 

[higain617]

Typing the name John McLaughlin on the same line as any of those other d00ds is Blasphemous, that man is truly a Guitar GOD.

x2. John McLaughlin had such speed and precision without being wanky. That's really impressive. The live Cream records were really good. It seems like Clapton went yacht rock after the early 70's.

 

[bluesdogblues]

...He has obviously reached a lot of people with his music (which has nothing to do with his guitar ability) and I heard some here mention that he is an all around good musician , songwriter ,vocalist, blah ,blah ,blah. ..

I don't buy on any "the Greatest Guitarists Ever" either. To anyone of the great guitarist including Clapton. But speaking about 'Eric Clapton reached a lot of people'...has nothing to do with his guitar ability???
I'm sure it has something to do with it!
Oh and I'm the one who said I like Clapton as a good musician , songwriter ,vocalist. I think I'm not alone in this and I'm sure my musical taste is not bad nor strange.

I'm not defending Eric Clapton, I'm not his big fan either, actually, and I also read about how 'racist' he was in one stage speech moment long time ago -which I really hate. So no, I'm not a big fan. I'm just speaking what I feel about him & his music.

 

[Liam Wald]

Hard to argue with success. Clapton may not be the best player ever, but you've got to admit that he is pretty good.
I had once heard from a person who was very connected in the London music scene at the time that the whole "Clapton is god" graffiti thing that happened there was actually Eric's own doing. Don't know if it's true or not, but if it is I would say that he was a master of marketing and self-promotion.
Other than that IMHO that earlier joke about the difference between a baby and cocaine was just plain cheap not to mention really poor taste.
No one deserves that!

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I had to stop reading musical biographies. Because now I can't stand the Eagles or John Fogerty. I did enjoy Mick Fleetwood autobiography, but I had to shake my head of how one person can be so clueless about the practical realities of life.

Yeah, I've heard that Fogerty bio is *not* pretty. I have a lot of respect for old CCR, so I'm just not gonna read it. Fleetwood mac? Feh - I never cared for them. But EC? Lord, he is an unapologetic jerk who is far more interested in fashion (?!?!?!) than guitar, if his autobiography is to be believed.

 

[will33]

Fogarty and Prince are in a fairly exclusive club...that being musicians who've been sued for being themselves.

Note: this has nothing to do with whether anybody likes them or not.

I really like some Gatlin Brothers stuff, but I've heard a couple nasty stories about Larry Gatlin as well. Don't know their validity, but I'd rather not read a bio. My rose-colored glasses version is likely much better....to me.