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  • god bless eric 'please dont stop playin and more power to ur music ' pls come to new zealand :))

  • I cannot imagine that he will ever stop playing guitar !!

    I saw him in Cologne, he is still "on the road".

    Thank you Eric!

  • youre the best Eric !!! never let the bad vibes take you ANYTHING .. confidence its evrything a musician own really ...to be able to let it go you need a bit of arogance an confidence....and a lot of LOVE

  • I live 15 minutes away from Escondido. Fuck. Yes.

  • Clapton is the most awesome musician on the planet....he transcends time....

  • more Eric on Youtube please.

  • we meet again 240p

  • Guitar technique does change as we age, though I don't think we necessarily all get slower as such. I play 15 hours per week, and I find there are techniques that I haven't so much forgot, I've simply moved onto other riffs/ styles.

  • I used to live in Escondido. If had known Clapton was going there at that time I wouldn't have cared. Now though. I'd be signed up as a stalker. I would be thrown in jail. But then I would have gone right back. I'd like to go back and slap myself. Clapton was in my town and I was to young and stupid to care.

  • I am 18 years old and Clapton had to be one of the best musicians I have heard. Autobiographies are just one persons thoughts of different points in their life. To be interpreted by the reader. Your thoughts on this one are just your opinion and don't necessarily reflect facts. I don't listen to music because I like the artist but because it speaks to me.

  • Leave it to a media idiot to try and capitalize on the simple truth that as we age things slow down....he can f**k off

  • I'm an old fart, I remember the Yardbirds, Mayall and Cream. So, I've been watching and listening to Clapton for a fairly long time. He's just amazing whether I'm listening to him play or watching an interview like this one. I hope he continues to play for a long, long time.

  • enjoyable and enlightening interview.

    first of all, i picked up that eric's career and playing have a lot to do with expecting the big "no".

    perfection in pursuit of acceptance and respect.

    i relate to that.

    then his honesty and giving credit where due and his understanding and respect for j.j. cale's talent and quirks.

    then is his understanding that his life's work is "the music".

    eric is a hardworking, dedicated, humbled man.

    the journeyman beginning to understand the life of the master.

  • Eric is so cool, his mindset is always inspirational !!

  • I always wanted to know who was JJ Cale on EC's early 70's 8 tracks and albums.Now Thanks to youtube.My heroes are Old Guys too.Not bad for a couple of white guys.Bravo!Think the worst?Just The Best!

  • Road to Escondido was a great album!

  • you are good

  • I was in Greece, working on a catalogue project, doing m/u & hair... This music was wafting through the air at an outdoor eating spot and I was sure I was listening to Clapton, it was JJ Cale.... Loved it, very sincere and unobtrusive. Quite lovely, actually. That was in 1986.  Never knew they colaborated all along.

  • Creepo head

  • @whiterobin Strange. I read it too and my impression was exactly the opposite of yours.

  • Yep he's a legend !

  • hey guitar players,wanna see and hear the only guy around that plays like clapton did when clapton was at his best.

    his you tube site== englishbluesman ==his name is joe t the englishbluesman.

    check him out especially his crossroads live video lesson.its the best out there

  • clapton is humble as heck. In my opinion he is a much better gyGuitar playing is not an athletic sport. What he lost he has learned 10fold. He's just a humble dude and doesn't need to make himself look like an ass by saying "I'm better now than I've ever been." Tooting ones own horn always has an opposite effect as the desire one. Plus he's a business man. He wants people to come out and see his shows now, so they can say ten years from now " I saw Clapton in '11 and he was better then.

  • Eric,

    Time has taken many of the things that we all love to do because of age.

    Inside I will always be rocking to the beat.

    I see myself as the young thing in the tight jeans remembering when we said at a 4 hour concert chairs who needs chairs.

    You have brought such joy, empathy, healing, and comfort through your music. You are a teacher that will live on.

    And some of the greatest times in my life happened while you played on the radio.

    Thanks for the memories!

    Diana

  • did clapton invent the strat ?

  • @rrgert4 No, Leo Fender did I believe

  • @kevinreedmusic

    :D i meant the limited one

  • @rrgert4 Oh hahaha then I'm not sure, sorry:/

  • @busterbone noo! he didnt drop him, he fell accidentally

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  • 40 years ago Clapton played a Gibson SG most of the Time not a Fender Stratacaster. According to research he switched to a Fender Stratacaster after his prized SG was stolen. Also he did not drop his kid out of a hotel window in NY. The Boy was being watched by a housekeeper and the boy ran to a window and fell out, it was just a horrible accident.

  • i thought he was American he sounds Irish here

  • @busterbone He is English. He was born in Ripley, Surrey, England, and currently lives in Surrey, England.

  • @jamcliff999 so you say he is an Englishman, I thought he was Cuban, British or Australian

  • @busterbone No he is surely an englishman. Look it up if you do not believe me.

  • @jamcliff999 i also heard he dropped his son out of a NYC window.

  • The interviewer is a jerk, so is Katie.  Eric was cool to have not lost his temper with this fool...

  • Am reading EC's bio, its a great read. Slowhand is the best still going. After the early 70's losing Jimi, Duane and then SRV and George H. he is the last real Guitar Hero going. To quote a Floyd song, Shine on you Crazy Diamond. He may not be God but he is the best going here on Terra Firma....EC RULES!!!!!!!

  • @jiaconis As someone else said, he really is a modern day Van Gogh. He isn't the last modern day guitar hero though. Another, and I think better one, is Jeff Beck. But of course, I understand that it's apples and oranges.

  • I got the chance to meet Eric in '78 and he was a very kind and giving man then, very generous with his time too - it's clear he's still got that great personality, and still looks with humility to the gifts that others have (like JJ Cale).

    Really glad he's survived the rock n roll gauntlet!

  • it is bullshit that this won't load

  • Eric if you read this man, Greece is waiting for you.

  • very well said, theatlantisrise, i think eric clapton is a very talented musician even today he can play after 40 yeares in the business

  • Eric was and still is one of my inspirations and he influenced me to pick up the guitar along with others. Him slipping? I don't think so...... Then again we are all our own worst critic.

  • Clapton is an "Icon" who's music will last forever. Is he as good as he once was? Just go see him "LIVE" and then answer that question for yourself. :)

  • @TheMouse2U ive been to a concert in 2011

    hes still running hot!

  • This is a very good interviewer. He made Eric feel relaxed, and the interviewer asked very good questions. Unlike Matt Lauer , who is a complete "Jerk Off"

  • Not as good as he once was, Buuut good once as he ever was.

  • "not as good"??? What's he talking about?? His voice is better than ever and when I saw him perform with Steve Winwood in 2009, he played the most amazing guitar solos!

  • Seeing is believing: Old age dismasks the shit life is . Modernity also.

  • good man, eric

  • he says a lot more than the "not being as good...." thing.

  • Eric is such a nice man. Not at all like the "Rock Star" people expect....

  • We are so lucky to have had Eric Clapton in our lifetime, and he is still here and playing for our pleasure...Love the man and his music

  • The best musicians are often super humble...

  • I love you ERIC!!

  • YOUTUBE SEARCH JIMI HENDRIX KILLED CLAPTON!!

  • @Elgigante21 dude, you are such a fucking spammer. and gay.

  • i think i know the clips ec is talking about...ec playing his gibson 335 and clips shot by scorcese for a documentary..the clips are on youtube and...he's right....ec plays incredible...that blues band he had with andy newmark on drums, etc....

    for my money the guitar that suits ec best is his gibson 335..the tone...everything and his own comfort on that neck...the strats dont touch it...

  • Has always been, shall always be one of the finest gentlemen and most gifted guitarists ever known to the world. God BLess Eric Clapton

  • Harpiscord*

  • Wow blues not african based, your fucking. If blues wasn't africanbased why didn't it appear until after the slaves were brought to the US? If it weren't for african based spirituals and blues we'd all still be dancing waltz and listening to music played on the harp and clavicord. The guitar is from spain, the blues are african based. The market and commercialism are strictly european and american.

  • @Elgigante21 Metal didn't exist until ASCII became standard, coincidence? I think not...

  • @gremlinextreme101 geek . . .

  • It's so sic because when he was talking about watching the youtube video of himself in the mid 90's he said "i thought to myself WHa...?!" as if he was in awe, but it's himself!!!

  • I don't know about comparisons to Van Gogh, when Clapton seems to show no sign of madness, hasn't shorn an ear, or headed out to the field to turn a shotgun on himself, and certainly I hope he won't do that. What he seems to be these days is everyone's touchstone in pop music; a sort of weathered elder statesman and survivor. I don't know how they can claim that the blues is really an African-based thing when it was born but languished in the US and was re-popularized by Brits like Clapton.

  • wordmagazine.co.uk/content/eri­c-claptons-enoch-was-right-spe­ech

    Heres a link to Claptons racist speech. Here is your " God".

  • I can,t undersatnd why eric went over to fender when his best sound and presentation was when he played gibson when he was with cream

  • Being given the opportunity to make an album with EC is like winning the lottery...

  • I love Clapton even more now after watching this. He's a really great guy and hell of a guitarist.

  • My master and my guitar God....On my best day I could never even come close to his worst day, at any age he is. If someone set out to mold a perfect guitar player....Clapton would be the heart, passion and soul. His music is a strong part of the soundtrack of my life.

  • Such an honest guy !

  • i wonder what the video of himself he watched was

  • @illini3332 Yeah Me Too ?

  • the 48 ppl who disliked this are fucking gay and deserve to die

  • Clapton is a kick ass musician and a gentleman...of course he wants JJ to be recognized, and in full force...I suppose there are musicians that would jump to the front and take all the credit. Eric isn't one of them. Humble, honest, and yes, a class act.

  • yuck

  • technical is not nearly as important as style and soul. mr.clapton has more than enough of both.

  • I love EC, he's a huge source of inspiration in my playing, and I could never repay him for the contributions he has made to my personal music

  • Eric, you are evolving and getting better. You are a time traveler.

  • slow hand is dee man

  • LOVE CLAPTON! ( not even kidding )

  • LOVE CLAPTON!

  • youre silly

  • He's such a cool person.

  • Katie Couric...you wish you could be as great as Eric Clapton.

  • I just recently saw Clapton on his 2010 tour, and it was an amazing performance! He may not be able to play as technically as he used to, but his sound is still the same. Soul is never lost; it only ripens with age.

  • You are still the hero to me.

  • George H. should have shared his Guru!!!Don't toture yourself Eric!

  • George H. should have shared his Guru!!!

  • I think it's cool that Eric Clapton can go on YouTube and watch videos of Eric Clapton playing his guitar.

  • slowhand, am i saying that right?

  • Playing at the 'top of your game' is a very elusive, mysterious process-Mr Clapton is being too hard on himself here; his maturity is manifesting, and he plays the essential notes, discarding mere 'flash' and artifice.

  • He searched himself on youtube? Nice~~ lol..

  • @Gergerpatpat ya and you wouldn't? ha ha i would!!

  • Idear..lol

  • Eric, I'm 60 years old, and you have been my mentor, pretty much since I was 14 years old. I know how hard it is to be able to express yourself thru the blues,and have your own style, but man, your music has stood the test of time. Thank you for getting it right, so the rest of us could try and to come close. You are the Man that makes every note count, and every man wishes his soul was so free . I thank the Lord that he has seen you through the valley of darkness, and into the light, so shine.

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  • 0:01

  • john malkovic en morgan freeman should quit God voices/roles in films and commercials

    We found the right man

    THUMBS UP.

  • Seems like a nice man

  • Every kid who picks up an instrument should look to Clapton for inspiration. Virtuosity shines through in his playing, brilliance in his songwriting, passion in his performances, strength in his ability to keep producing music each decade, and of course, he is a class act on and off the stage as seen in this interview. I would say that Eric is a modern-day Van Gogh, and if anything that is an understatement.

  • @theatlantisrise he's a scumbag who beats his wife in the past and cashed in on his son's death

  • @cliffiez You seem to be a miserable prick who write's shit about everone. If you have a wife and kids, "god help them" if you don't, Thank the Lord!!!

  • @theatlantisrise eddie van halen looked to clapton for inspiration and look at him now.

  • @theatlantisrise not to mention his humility as a musician - as brilliant as he has always been, he has never been better than just aiming to serve the song and trying to make it better, which is of course nearly always comes off as being what the song needs because he is a fantastic player and consummate performer.

  • @theatlantisrise - Eric did lose his way for awhile with his heroin addiction and then alcohol. He has said that remaining sober is the #1 thing in his life, above all else. If you haven't read it, his autobiography "Clapton" is a brutally honest telling of his life - the highs and the lows. Like so many other great guitarists; Zappa, Harrison, for instance, he is entirely self taught and doesn't know how to read music. I also admire him greatly, my favorite of all time.

  • @theatlantisrise He is a racist, talentless, bottom feeder. Most of his songs are blues (keep in mind hes racist) thought blues is a african based. He's gotten rich off of performing blues covers and countless other covers. Most overrated musician alive.

  • @Elgigante21 hes racist? even better

  • @magicbus333 lol 

  • @Elgigante21 ; Sure, you make one comment when you're sloshed over the microphone, mis-speak something that was too complex to say while drunk, and that will be your reputation for life. Like that's fair, like you would want to be treated like that.

  • @theatlantisrise Urgh, he doesn't look very smart to be honest :P

  • @theatlantisrise Eric Clapton is my inspiration for guitar. It makes me really sad sometimes to see kids worshipping all these pop artists when Clapton is still out there. I went to his concert a month ago and I was one of the few 14 year olds among so many middle aged people.

  • CHECK OUT JOE T- ENGLISHBLUESMAN-ON YOU TUBE.

    THERE CALLING HIM THE NEXT BEST PLAYER NEXT TO ERIC CLAPTON.

    THAT HE HAS THE FIRE,ERIC ONCE HAD.

    I HAVE SEEN HIM PLAY.

    I WAS BLOWN AWAY.

    HE CAPTURES THE ESSENCE OF CLAPTON,BECK,PAGE,HENDREX,BLOO­MFIELD,ALL IN ONE.

    WITH IN 1 YERA,I PREDICT,JOE T ENGLISHBLUESMAN,WILL BE A HOUSE HOLD NAME IN THE INDUSTRY.

  • Can never forget him and Mark Knopfler performing together

  • this made me cry

  • I wanna meet him one day. I freakin' love him.

  • im tired of him.how many decades can u keep essentially simple blues,clapton style,all that inspiring?i tip my hat to his abiltys and career,he has done it all over time

  • his music is always in my heart

    he would be always my lover....my handsome n cute man in the world....

    I LOVE YOU ERIC CLAPTON

    greetings frm indonesia

  • Eric Clapton is god ! Still !

  • Clapton will always be Clapton. No matter how old he gets. He's incredible.

  • even if he has lost some of his touch..he is still one of the best guitarists out there and my inspiration for playing the electric guitar!

  • Comment removed

  • @ dimpoochie While many people believe his nickname "Slow Hand(s)" is because his fingers are slow on the guitar, it is actually because once during a concert he played his guitar so hard that one of its strings broke, and he took time out to re-string it. As he did, the fans in attendance began a "slow hand" clap.

  • @musiklauscher Thanks. Very informative (;

  • Why do they call him "Slow Hand" ? His accent is clear and classy.

  • He seems just as good as always when he plays concerts- its probably jsut another stupid rumor

  • what a beautiful guy

  • Does anyone know what video he may be referring to from the mid 90's? lol

  • @jmr1068204 probably 5 long years, it's freaking amazing

  • @nAtEbAlEstEr I think he could probably still play that...lol

  • You are my man, Eric. Still being great and humble at the same time. Not many performers can do it.

  • Eric Clapton has no equal on this planet.

  • I just read on the Layla video that he went into a racist anti-black rant back in 1976. Man, Eric, say it isn't so my man. I checked into it and it is true as the day. What do I do with all my Eric Clapton vinyls now? I don't want to support a racist but the things he said were pretty bad - actually awful. He said blacks had no place in white Britain. What would Bob Marley think? Man my head is in a spin and my gut is just punched man. Eric man, not you! Racism sucks. I'm crushed.

  • @Jedsbbm i sverely doubt he's racist he ows his carrer to nlack musicians and the blues

  • @Jedsbbm

    Could you give us your source?

  • I'm a former teacher, and I think it's great that EC wants to teach and pass along what he knows (and what other people know, like JJ) about music! Here's to ya, Slowhand!! You're still the man!!

  • hahaha, I've never heard clapton speak before. weird haha

  • i think eric's teasing us here

  • it`s great that he didn`t died from drogs ang alcohol and he can play for as

  • dude i love eric clapton ERIC if u se this I LOVE YOU. if i ever meet u pleace forgive me. i may cum in my pants. i just turned 20 and i listin to u were ever i go. CREAM THE YARDBIRDS, and DEREK AND THE DOMIONOS. and of crouse ur solo career. u kick every budys ass of todays muics shit. long live ROCK.

  • i want to hear him play cocaine its a great song at this age i bet its still amazeing

  • He always hits the rite note. He never sounds bad and he's been that way for almost 50 years. That's why he's a legend.

  • Not only best overall guitarists but a real classy gentleman. Hes helped out

    all kinds of muscians that did not have the financial success that he achieved.

    He helps them and gives a fresh retrospectives on Cream, Beck, Blind Faith

    and God knows letting Johnny Winter do a punk version of Redhouse at Crossroads was a monstrosity of charitible giving. hope winter took the bus to check in at Antigua rehab. Whoa did anyone see the awful looks the others on

    the stage gave him.

  • I could listen to this man read a phone book..his voice has this great gravely quality that I adore

  • It's all about emotion and feeling Clappy! ;-)

  • Im from Denmark, i saw Eric Clapton and AC/DC in the same weekend 2 months ago. It was very sureal seeing The Slowhand himself in a 10 meter radius from me...

  • claptons going to live forever he only looks like hes in his 40s and hes 65

  • i love Strats, but 40 years ago he played SGs, ES's, and Firebirds

  • drugs and woman brother drugs and woman. Great guitarist no matter what anyone says. You will always rock!.

  • Eric if your reading this............Thank you for all you have done for music and pushing the limits of what a human being could do with a guitar. I consider you the greatest guitar player in popular music history. Believe me that is not an accolade I give away too easily.

    Some of my most enjoyable moments were listening to Cream, Blind Faith and your later solo work. Long may you continue to play and inspire others..........Thank you.

  • @starryian007 never better than jeff beck though, clapton just got more publicuty

  • My favorite lead guitarists of all time: 1. Carl Perkins 2. Luther Perkins 3. Willie Nelson 4. Chet Atkins 5. Roy Clark 6. Mother Maybelle Carter 7. Scotty Moore 8. Keith Richards 9. Eric Clapton 10. Waylon Jennings
  • @CashPresley32 Whoa! a great list you have there. You certainly know your guitarists!. I agree with your list. However, Clapton is my No 1 Rock guitarist No1. of all time has to be Blues/Jazz guitarist, the great Robert Johnson. The man was in a different league.When Keith Richards was first introduced to Johnson's music by his band mate Brian Jones, he replied, "Who is the other guy playing with him?", "No-one replied Jones "he is doing it all by himself" Richards was absolutely staggered.

  • well said ronusalv!!!

  • I'm 13, and don't listenin to any of this new stuff, and my favorite of all classic rock artist is clapton, wish I could see him in concert and get an autograph.

  • i bought this CD and it is so unbeliveably boring.you'd think that based on past work you'd would be jammin'

  • I'm only 13, but if i could meet Eric Clapton that'll be the greatest moment in my life. He's a guitar Legend

  • @TheBunnySensation : yea, well kid, Im almost 40 & it would be the greatest moment in MY life if I could meet him!

  • @hazor777 I hope you meet him. you probably will, we never know what'll happen. but even if we dont at least we got these interviews and his music :)

  • I hope this guy never dies!!! This man has an amazing intellectual and is just unreal musician!!! If their would be a way to make someone live forever this is the person I would choose for the job!!! GOD Bless you man and thank you for the great medicine that your music means to me.

  • I like clapton better after cream and bluesbreakers, he started siinging, and playing blues american style, with strats, and fender amps, and not alot of overpowering volume of guitars.

  • @willwelsh816 TRUTH. British blues was more important than good. It relies way to heavily on effects like reverb and distortion.

  • If you're famous, you're gonna look yourself up on YouTube and Google.

    No matter how much you try & deny it, you would too.

  • @LRifenberg I do it and I'm not even famous.

  • 40 years ago Clapton did not play the stratocaster. 

  • @hendrixkixas 40 years ago was 1970. in 1970, clapton was with derek and the dominoes. he played the stratocaster with derek and the dominoes. therefore clapton played the strat 40 years ago.

  • @daviddet Haha. True. My point was 40 years before this vid was posted was 1966. Clapton was playing gibson guitars back then.

  • @hendrixkixas : You are correct sir !! Although, he was known to pick up a Tele/Broadcaster back in the Bluesbreakers days too.....

  • @daviddet he used a gibson sg with cream, right?

    well it doesn't really matter what guitar he used since he was kickass no matter what he used

  • @LRifenberg

    You are so right, 6 strings is still 6 strings nomatter if it's Fender, Gibson or whatever...