Eric Clapton
Friday, February 10, 1978
Oakland Coliseum Arena
Oakland, California
8:00 P.M.
section 217 row L seat 7
$6.50
My ticket stub. Anyone else remember when BASS was our only ticket vendor?
My first date with my husband was this Eric Clapton concert. He'd actually planned on taking the girl he was dating at the time. Then he met me. Yup. I was the "other woman". And we've been making beautiful music together ever since. Gag! Way too corny. I digress.
Eric Clapton will be celebrating his 66th birthday on March 30th. Regarded by many as one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time, he is also the only musician ever to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on three separate occassions: as a solo artist, as a member of The Yardbirds, and as a member of Cream.
Born to a 16 year old mother in 1945, Eric's grandparents raised him and until learning the truth at the age of 9, he had been led to believe that his mother was his sister. The truth had a profound effect on him and he became withdrawn, angry, and lost all interest in school. Learning guitar at the age of 13 gave him a much needed focus and he immersed himself in the blues focusing on American pioneers B.B. King, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy among others.
In October of 1963 he joined The Yardbirds for a short lived 18 month tenure where he earned his first nickname, Slowhand. As the band moved towards a more commercial sound than the blues Clapton loved, he left the band.
Louise- The Yardbirds circa 1964
Next up was John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and his second nickname, God. This next video shows the wall scrawl proclaiming Clapton is God, and well, the rest is history. Listen to this man wail- some of the best playing out there to this day.
Leaving Bluesbreakers to form Cream with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker in 1966 elevated Clapton to superstar status. This once again short-lived tenure was only a two year span but provided us with some of the most iconic rock songs ever recorded. Massive egos and constant fighting led to their demise. But the songs....oh, the songs...Ironically, in most of the footage available from those days the camermen focused on Jack Bruce, who sang lead on most of their songs.
Sunshine of Your Love- Cream's only gold record in the U.S.
Strange Brew- Featuring Eric on vocals rather than Jack Bruce in his usual lead singer position.
I Feel Free- the first track on their U.S. debut album,
Fresh Cream.
Tales of Brave Ulysses- This song featured the first recording of a wah-wah pedal in rock music.
White Room- interesting to note that each line in each verse is exactly four syllables.
I just had to include this rare appearance from The Smothers Brothers Show and the song Anyone For Tennis
Eric, in his own words. Famous last words: "Cream is the perfect band."
Following Cream's break up in 1968, Eric founded Blind Faith with Steve Winwood, Rick Grech, and Cream drummer Ginger Baker. Following what seems to be a pattern, this group only lasted one year. Too bad. I loved their sound.
Can't Find My Way Home- the newly formed Blind Faith from Hyde Park playing their very first live gig in front of 100,000+ people at a free concert.
Well All Right
1970 brought us another Clapton formed band, Derek & the Dominos. Who doesn't know Layla? One year committments seem to be the norm in his career. The band broke up after one album and one tour and Eric began a tailspin into heroin addiction.
Layla- A later version, but oh, so good. Over 16 million hits on this video.
I love the interview with Johnny Cash after the performance is over and the jam with Carl Perkins.
Bell Bottom Blues-Written for Patti Boyd after she requested Clapton get her some bell bottoms from the USA. I used to wear Super Bells-remember those?
Overcoming his addiction Eric tumbled into the bottle and became an alcoholic, a disease which plagued him for many years. Finally sober for good in 1987, his newfound health propelled Eric Clapton into a burgeoning solo career that carried him through the decades.
Wonderful Tonight- So sweet and lovely from the Slowhand album.
Tears in Heaven- A song written after the tragic death of his four year old son, Conor, it brings tears to my eyes every time I see him play it.
Crossroads- An album, a song title, a state of mind, a guitar festival and eventually a treatment center built by Clapton helping others that need help with their own demons.
Change the World- This song won 3 Grammy Awards the year it was released: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Male Pop Vocal .
Eric Clapton is, in part, responsible for my marriage. Spending that night with my future husband at the concert in 1978, realizing his impeccable musical taste and steel trap memory for all things musical, and talking Clapton all the way home that night was, well-magic. Thanks Eric! I'll never be able to repay him but this little post was the least I could do for him.
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Comments
Layla is one of my ten favorite albums of all time.
rated with hugs
I'm not a fan sort of person normally, I do have favorites, not that many and I'm not a 'collector'. But I wrote to the Music Man for over a year, spurred by the death of his son, just general stuffin's, no expectations of response, stream of thought kind of stuff :).
I cut my music teeth on BB (thanks Mom ;) but Clapton will forever be numero uno in heart soul and mind. Happy Birthday EC, the dog lady salutes you for health, happiness and long life!
Rated for a survivor.
You're bad for me, where did my Blind Faith and Cream, Disreali Gears albums go? I loved that Cream album, sigh. I feel very sorry for myself right now. I'm going to save these songs or I'll forget them too. I'm not going to have to search my memory, now I have you.
Now I'm playing Bellbottom Blues for us both. Congrats on decades of corny, I adore corny and I'm glad he took you!
I love that version of Can't Find My Way Back Home. Steve Winwood looks so young it should be illegal.
Gratifying to hear that even in your youth you had the wisdom to settle on someone who thought a Clapton concert made for a good first date.
But I do have to chide. In my opinion, Clapton was at his best in the Live 85 tour. No vids in your post. If you haven't already, please check out the following tours de force:
Badge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WeiQokwIWU
Let It Rain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozR944ikz5A
If you have the whole DVD there's no break between these two. More trivia. In 1987 there was a Rolling Stone (the mag) documentary for their 20th anniversary. On their segment of guitar gods, they used a clip for this performance to illustrate Clapton. I hadn't heard it before but it's what convinced me that Clapton was my fave.
And checking in with a kazillion views, Cocaine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYS732zyYfU
Wrapping up with Forever Man. Did that quick cut camera editing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ms0RyNH-pFU
He's also got a great one with Santana doing Jingo at one of the Crossroads festivals. thanks so much for this post.
Linda: It's such an iconic song. I have to say, I wasn't as in love with the slowed down acoustic version he released years later.
Seer: So glad he survived all the rock star trappings. And two thumbs up to your mom for raising you right on B.B. He's another iconic figure I'm glad to have seen in concert.
l'heure: I have a wall in my music room covered with album covers floor to ceiling. Clapton is there several times.
Abrawang: Thank you for your well-thought out comments. Everything you mentioned is indeed worthy. There are so many choices out there to include, and truth be told I was running out of time to get this posted in time for his birthday. It's a deadline I set for myself and working full-time leaves me limited writing. I'm happy you included links for everyone so they can continue to explore on their own. Thank you for that!
suzie: Have fun with your Clapton-fest!
scanner: Have a little Cream with that coffee. ;)
Rated
Rated.
Me either. But I have the stub.
Thanks for the wonderful tour of his career and the great links.
How can he be 66?
R
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCPTVFwJyIA
I'm with you, I loved Blind Faith, "Can't Find My Way Home" is one of my favorite songs.
And That sure brought back some...........uh....................I think I remember some of that, I remember all the people cause it's really easy to lose the ride home in a crowd like that.