Fillmore West February 1970, I was there. No one knew in my group of people who Delaney and Bonnie were. We were there, like most people, to see Eric Clapton. The band walked out on stage and the crowd stirred a bit. Then Eric fired off a couple riffs to check his rig and the audience screamed. After all these years that's the number one thing I remember about that night.
My friend Chris Eccleshall was the man who locked Blackie's vibrato block in place with a block of wood. He told me that Eric's guitar tech brought it to him, asking Chris for the same job he had done on Rory Gallagher's Strat.
I really love those videos, well done. EC is a good example that it doesn' t really matters which guitars or amps a great player use to play. He always has his unique tone, that comes right out of his fingers. Mike Campbell is the same kind of guy.
I saw Blind Faith in Bridgeport Ct July 13, 1969. He played the Firebird. On 2 guitar songs I believe Winwood also played a Firebird. Opening act was the Taste although it was billed as Free. Delaney and Bonny followed. The concert was at Kennedy Stadium which is Central High School’s football field. Janis Joplin was walking around she had played the Yale Bowl in New Haven, Ct the night before. Tickets were $4, $5 and $6.
@Master Volume i knew that and have seen pictures. He had several strats. I was referring to the main one which the book has been written about and he sold at auction last year. It had a maple neck.
I saw them at the Whiskey in either '66 or '67, those years, '66-'70, are kind of jumbled up in my mind. It was a wild four years. But that's a small venue and I remember it was screaming loud. I loved it. I was in awe of Bruce and Clapton but my real focus was on Ginger Baker. I had not, and have not in the last 50 years, seen anyone play drums the way Ginger did. He didn't just keep the beat he was constantly "filling." But Eric was really in his own league then. We were doing a lot of psychedelics then and we always played Cream when we were tripping.
John Allen - greetings, Man! I just searched (via Duck Duck Go), “Did Cream Play the Whiskey A Go Go?,” and found that they did, in fact, play there on Sep 4, 1967! Setlist (see if these ring any bells): 1. NSU 2. Tales of Brave Ulysses 3. Sitting on Top of the World 4. Sweet Wine 5. Rollin’ & Tumblin’ 6. Spoonful 7. Sunshine of Your Love 8. Sleepy Time Time 9. Steppin’ Out 10. Train Time 11. Toad 12. I’m So Glad You, my friend, were lucky/blessed/anointed/privileged to have attend such a show!!
@@jrh11254 Wow. Good research! Yep, I knew I'd seen them there. I really dug "Tales of Brave Ulysses." Clapton really wailed on that wah with the vibrato/reverb. And Ginger thundered on "Toad."
I disagree with you on 2 points. While yes, Eric plays the Gibson Byrdland at the Concert for Bangladesh, in the Chuck Berry film he used a pre 1957 Gibson ES 350. In the more recent video of Somewhere over the Rainbow it was a Pre 57 Gibson L5. Keep in mind in 1957 Gibson introduced the Humbucking pick up and that replaced the P90. Also just a note, the Byrdland from the CFBD was odd in that it had ES 350 parallelagram inlays on the fingerboard, not the Byrdland block inlays which has caused many to believe it was an ES 350 but it was an odd bird Byrdland. Supposedly Gibson did this kind of thing. Eric wanted an ES 350 like Chuck Berry's but couldn't find one exactly like it. So he settled on this. But does anyone know what happened to the guitar?
Steve, You are right on the money on the Byrdland guitar. I thought it was an ES350t until I read your post (more carefully) and checked out the video more closely that you can see it is a Byrdland with the 350t neck that Gibson could have done in those days, nice job!!!
Excellent video! One small thing to note is that the 335 was actually not a backup but pretty much the most used guitar during the Blind Faith era. It was used pretty much exclusively for the second half of the American tour. He used it for at least a couple early Derek and the Dominos shows, the No Reason to Cry recording sessions and then more frequently in the 90's. It may be the guitar used in the recording of Badge, Had to Cry Today and Do What you like
Would love to also see a history of his amps. Of course we know about the Marshalls in the 60s, but I'd love to learn more about post-Cream era like his stint using Music Man.
The Dallas International Guitar Festival aka Crossroads Guitar Festival at the Dallas Cotton Bowl was in 2004 not 2006, I was there. Clapton auctioned off a lot of his collection to benefit the Crossroads Drug Rehab Facility he founded in Antigua.
Clapton's long standing guitar tech, Lee Dickson, designed "Blackie" and "Brownie" style pickups with Mojotone about 10 years ago. At that time Lee was living in Louisville, KY and told a friend of mine that "Blackie's" pickups were actually '70s era Fender Strat pickups. I don't know when they were installed in Clapton's guitar. But they were in "Blackie" for some time before it was retired from service. Lee offered to meet up for drinks sometime. But those plans never came to fruition. I love your "History of ..." videos, Ramon. They are always well researched and presented.
The les paul standard in the back stage photo is a plain top cherry sunburst 1960. Its first public appearance I believe was the Newcastle concert in 1983. It saw some occasional use during '85 tour, and probably most famously in the video of the '87 Prince's Trust concert with George Harrison Phil Collins and Mark King "While my guitar gently weeps" and once during the 93 RAH blues show after a string broke on the custom shop P-90. Both videos are available on RU-vid. Looking forward to part 4.
The burst at the end backstage is a real 1960 with a fairly plain top. He used it live a few times in various live videos in the 80's. Nice job on this whole series very through and accurate. Part 4 please!
I saw Derek and the Dominoes 12/6/70 in Syracuse, NY. (Duane Allman played with Eric and Elton John was the opening act.) Duane played a cherryburst LP through a Fender Twin with JBLs (could have been Altecs, I suppose, but Duane did use JBLs in his Marshall amp(s).) Eric played "Brownie" on the "rock" numbers and a goldtop LP on the blues numbers (Key to the Highway, Srormy Monday, Blues Power and one other I can't recall.) From where I was sitting it looked like Eric was playing through a Sunn Coliseum, but it also could have been a Dual Showman. Duane's tone was bright and crystal clear, while Eric's tone was on the "muddy" side, like on the live Derek and the Dominoes album. FWIW, I played with several guitarists who used Sunn amps and they sounded great if you were standing right in front of them but not so good as you moved to either side.
absolutely love this channel and especially this series, really appreciate all the effort you put into it and research so thanks a lot! If you could do Pete Townshend next that would be really appreciated! Even Keith Richards.
Yes! Part 4 please. My favourite Clapton guitar is the black strat he plays on “24 nights”. Any info on that and the Fender Lace pickups he used would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
It’s kinda sad to hear that a gibson bbeauty spent nearly 40 years under beds or until someone discovers them in attics long after their owners passed away....
This was incredible. NICE work !!! I bought Blind Faith (B cover ;) in '69 when it was new. I was 12. Always loved it and dug the SB Custom but never saw good enough photos to see it had a Strat neck. Maybe read that later but lost until now. Squire Fat Tele in, yep SB here. hmmmm . The rest is amazing, too. wow !
I've been playing for about 50 years and collecting for at least the last forty of those. Big fan of EC- (esp. the Layla album-although there have been many other great ones of course). I saw Clapton and band on the comeback tour on Oct.2, '74 (@ Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto)- right at the time when" I Shot The Sheriff" was getting it's original radio play. I am sure I remember seeing a red 335 there- and I believe he played one song with it (for slide). Now after all these years I am not 100% positive about it getting played- (and it is in my mind about slide being played on it). Perhaps, it was only in a stand on stage, and it is possible he had another red 335 besides that most famous one at that time...but I DO remeber seeing one at that concert (which was excellent, btw.). So when the narrator says it wasn't seen on stage again unyil '94, I have my doubts about the veracity
Clapton was absolutely on point in the 70s, I am so jealous!.....his songwriting, vocals and overall vibe are what sets him apart from being just another guitar player.....love EC.
I could be wrong but I think that Paul you're talking about was originally gold top it was the owned by Rick Derringer who traded it in New York or sold it, Eric bought it in New York didn't like it or had one already and gave it to Harrison and they trade it off and on maybe I don't know. Good luck.
Albert Lee has described that Custom 3 pickup as sounding like a grand piano ! There is a short segment that features on Albert's Starlicks video where Albert plays that Custom and it sounds fantastic IMO.
The Les Paul Sunburst brought to Japan in 85 was a vintage 60s model and was apparently never used on stage during his stay(confirmed in an article of that tour from back in the day). He also brought a sunburst during the 81 tour and it could be the same guitar
Eric Clapton said he brought the 4 fender stratocasters guitars at Fordham pawn shop on Fordham Road in the Bronx ! And then he made the blackie guitar out of it! He gave one of the fender Stratocaster guitars to George Harrison! And he paid very little money for the fender Stratocasters . The guy in the shop didn't know they were vintage guitars and he had a little Fortune there! According to what Eric Clapton said in one of his biographies.
Later when Eric Clapton switched to the Rainbow popcicle colored Strat. I have the One More Car One More Riders tour DVD. and if a person watches carefully when Eric's guitar tech hands him his guitar. and he puts the strap over his shoulder it's very obvious to see that it's not an ordinary Strat. it has extra cavities there are two more back cover's on it besides the tremolo cover. I was thinking maybe it has some short of active system on it. but then I figured it must be wireless system because I don't remember a cord being connected to the guitar. and it makes sense since he plays several different guitars during that performance.
I have seen some of the comments below including the fact you are doing a part 4. Glad to hear that. Clapton jumped around a lot early on with guitar models until settling on a Fender Strat but what would have happened if the Beano burst Les Paul would not have been lost or stolen? If i had a dime for every guitarist that said they prefer early Clapton when he played Gibson guitars i would be a rich man. I appreciate all eras of his music but am particularly curious about 1994-1995 when he did the all blues tour after he recorded and released From The Cradle. A stellar album and his playing at the time was inspired and ferocious, like he was with Mayall and Cream. He was a man on a mission and it was obvious. I would love to see you do a video just on that tour about guitars and amps he used. Just an idea. These videos have been great and, as a long-time fan of Clapton, very educational as well. Keep up the good work!
So many of Eric Clapton’s guitar models have directly or distantly motivated many of my own purchases. I currently own a Strat which resembles “Brownie”, in that it’s got 3-tone sunburst and a maple fingerboard, but it sports a bridge humbucker. Clapton’s model was a key motivator in getting mine, though I have affectionately nicknamed mine “Janis”. When my father bought me the Cream of Clapton compilation, I saw a picture of that prototype Explorer and was kind of side swept. It doesn’t strike me as his type of guitar, but then “still waters run deep”. Imagining Part 4 will dive into those V-lace pickups.
Great vid- very informative! I first saw EC in February 1982 at the Omni in Atlanta, GA. His primary guitar was Blackie, but his slide strat and backup strat were a light blue and a light purple color. I'd assumed they were replicas- maybe ESP or Schecter parts- but I don't know. Both had maple necks, white pickguards and appeared to have standard 3 single-coil pu configurations. Don't know if that helps you for Part 4, but I am looking forward to watching it! Thanks for the videos!
He didn't play a byrdland with Chuck berry it was an ES-350t you can tell because of the pickups the byrdland had staple pickups and then humbuckers the ES-350t had p90s then humbuckers
Great job again! Funny I had just watched the 1969 peace festival (Toronto) with Clapton and the Plastic Ono Band.. I know exactly what you mean about Erics disgust at Yoko screaming throughout the songs. Cheers.
The thing about the Concert for Bangladesh that is insane is the fact that Eric does not remember it at all according to his autobiography which I believe. Being that high and drunk or whatever and playing that well is amazing. Anyway great video once again. Thanks!
Yes George Harrison invited Eric Clapton to join him for the concert for Bangladesh. but at the time Eric Clapton was going though the throws of a bad heroin addiction. he did show up for the concert but was in the dressing room when the concert started. and George Harrison was worried that Eric Clapton wasn't going make it out on the stage. but after a few tense moments Eric Clapton came out on to the stage and gave a flawless performance. which is a testament to his incredible ability to be able to perform so well when he was so ill.
Once again, I love these videos, keep 'em coming with part 4 EC signature strat. Also, I remember in the videos of Fender taking Blackie apart to do the replicas, and they found the neck pickup was from the late 60's.
AUG 19 1969 Blind Faith at Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, TX, USA I was at this show and Clapton and Steve Winwood were playing SGs ...they did a half time version of Crossroads and traded leads. I believe the one Clapton had was the red standard Gibson color and Windwood was using a white one.
Part 4 a must, please ... Like most Clapton fans, I preferred him on Gibsons. I think he revolu- tionized guitar tone on the Beano album, then proceeded to kill with Cream. The earliest Strat albums (first solo record and Layla, also live Delaney and Bonnie And Friends from England) were the peak of his Strat years. After that, his sound seemed really inconsistent. If I could take one guitar sound to the grave and play with that Great Rock And Roll Band In The Sky, it would be Beano. You have that sound, you need absolutely nothing else. Even God would call you God.
Your missing that Blackie makes its debut at Claptons Come back concert at the Rainbow. Also Lucy the Red Les Paul,that he gave to George Harrison that was used on While my Guitar gently weeps that Clapton also used at the Rainbow concert.
I have seen a photo of Cream playing in the 1960s and Eric is using a Stratocaster with a rosewood fretboard. It must have been a concert from 1967 because he had the afro. I wonder which Stratocaster that was.
I attended a matinee Cream gig at the Saville Theatre in upper Shaftesbury Avenue(?) immediately after they returned from their first (?) US tour, when Clapton was sporting his afro hair style and playing 'the fool' SG guitar. The show was awash with great players : Mick Taylor with Mayall doing the Crusade album stuff with horns : Jeff Beck Group who were sublime with Rod Stewart/Ronnie Wood/Mickey Waller showing what Led Zeppelin subsequently tried and failed to achieve. IMHO in terms of virtuoso guitar playing, Beck made mincemeat out of all of the others. For his finale Clapton had about five (if not more) guitars lowered vertically from behind the 'pelmet curtain' and proceeded to use them all in turn as part of his 'solo' ...a corny gimmick which of course his devoted fans loved! If anyone else saw this concert can you remember what guitars (props) were lowered ...just out of interest, I think at least two strats were involved.
I believe that the Les Paul could be an old one due to the placement.of the tailpiece and knobs. There were only a scant set of reissues which would have gotten this right, the ones from Strings and Things and Jimmy Wallace.
I took a 1954 Les Paul Gold top ( Gold top and back ) with a Trapeze bar to George Gruhn in 2009 to have appraised... Kind of an odd guy but in a good way
You make some GREAT videos Guitar Show, really detailed. Thank you! For 'guitar heads' like me, learning the details of which guitars were played when & where live, and on which studio recordings, and what guitars created which tones, is all totally fascinating. Especially regarding the greatest guitarists like your series is covering. And 'God' as he was once called, certainly qualifies. So it'd be really great to watch videos on some of the others you haven't already done (at least that I saw on your station), too. Such as, say... BECK, SANTANA, TOWNSEND & (Tommy) BOLIN? And in keeping with the 60's % 70"s Classic Rock/'Golden Era' of Blues/Rock guitarists (since I'm an old, born in SF, one-time Hippie, who came of age during those 2 decades living in the ROCKIN' Bay Area; Tom JOHNSON & Steve MILLER & Neal SCHON, as well? Just some suggestions. 😉 That being said, yes, definitely please make Part 4 on Clapton to close out his career. It's not just necessary, its only right. Right? Thanks again & keep up the excellent work!
Which of the Blind Faith guitars do you think was used to record Do What You Like? Part of me thinks the opening line sounds like a Danelectro, but I’m guessing from the bends and general tonality it could be the Firebird.
I believe it’s the 335 used for the solo,, a very 335 sound. It’s cleaner than LP yet more driven & more midrange than a Tele,,, for me it’s unmistakeable 335 sound. ( it helps that I have 2)
Another excellent video , thanks . If you have the info , I would be interested in watching an 80's onwards installment . Btw when I was 17 my girlfriend at the time bought me that full ARMS show on VHS , which I still have . I must see if I can get it on dvd , it's pretty remarkable all round !
If I not mistaken, I have seen pictures and videos of the rehearsals for the Ronnie Lane ARMS benefit concert where Eric is using an (the?) Explorer. Do you know?
Clapton's Gibson Byrdland from the Concert for Bangladesh was unusual in having double-parallelogram inlays like an ES350 neck (Byrdlands normally have block markers). But Eric's guitar also had a pointed end on the bottom of the fingerboard which 350s didn't have. It's a mystery
Great 3 part series. Thanks so much. I would love to see a 4th part. I know there is a clip of him playing a gold or bronze strat. It might be the bronze plated strat Robbie Robertson played and let Clapton play in "The Last Waltz". Plus his multi colored starts with the round designs on them. If I find the clip of him with the gold strat, I'll update this post.
Update: Here is Eric playing a gold Strat. Borrowed maybe? It reminds me of the bronze plated guitar he borrowed from Robbie Robertson in "The Last Waltz". ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rhrqZP_qVyU.html After comparing views and background of both of these guitars. They turn out to be very different. Apparently there were 50 gold Strats from the Fender custom shop built to Clapton's specs. 24 karat gold leaf covered, with lace sensor pickups. He played it at the Montreax '97 concert here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_1qwzbM2oLE.html
He played that guitar at the Montreux Jazz festival where he appeared with David Sanborn and Marcus Miller and others. I have no idea if Robbie gave him that guitar or not.
@@steveoconnor7069 No, it's a completely different guitar. Eric's guitar was built by Fender master builder Todd Krause. It's finished in gold leaf with a light coat of poly over it. White PG and Lace Sensor pups. He sold it for his drug rehab on Antigua for a bajillion dollars or something like that. Krause made 50 special issues of this guitar. Though most had Noiseless pups instead of Lace Sensor. Robbie's Strat was a red 1954 that he got from Norm's rare guitars. For the film "The Last Waltz" he had it stripped and electroplated in bronze. Not dipped in a vat of molten bronze. It had a Black custom made PG and the middle pup moved down next to and wired with the bridge pickup. Looks like a humbucker but it's just the two middle and bridge pups. He said the middle pup on a Strat always got in the way. He also put Tele control knobs on for better grip.Todd Krause also made replicas of this guitar. Robbie talks about this guitar on RU-vid also. I was very interested in both guitars. The information on both of them is readily available on Google, or whatever search engine you use.
The les paul is either a 58. 59 or maybe a very early 60 due To the fact that it does not have the 1960 reflector knobs . Unless it is a reissue . Or All the knobs have been changed. It also could just be a regular Les Paul standard There really wasn't a re issue at that time yet. other than the Les Paul heritage which I believe were dealer ordered to be close to 59 Les Paul specs . Not a very good picture to go off of. If you could see the treble pick up ring. Then you would know if it was a fifties less Paul because they're taller than modern day pick up rings
