Eric Clapton - Layla (Live Aid 1985) 

The second drummer in this video, Jamie Oldaker, passed away 3 days ago RIP Jamie

Eric Clapton and Phil Collins on drums. Pure perfection.

I was 17 in the crowd in Philly. As a matter of fact, this is the ONLY video where I can spot myself. At 1:52 I’m just left of my friend Mark in a red Phillies cap (screen right center). We were just kids and we didn’t know this would be the best concert of our lives.

Phil Collins had performed in London earlier in the day, then took a helicopter to Heathrow and there the Concorde to US. Before he started his solo set he said "I was in England this afternoon. Funny old world, innit?" He also played drums for over 15 minutes while Clapton performed. All those artists deserve the best, they give themselves completely. Loads of Love to them and to you all.

- Hey Eric, wanna grab a beer after work? - No, sorry. Gotta be somewhere.

Yes Clapton is a sensational guitarist but what a voice too, he makes singing and playing look so effortless.

One thing most non-musicians won’t understand is how many uncountable hours of practice Clapton put in to get that good and make playing live seem so easy. Practice isn’t sexy, but it’s damn necessary.

When the opening solo kicks in, it just sends chills down your spine.

God damn, Phil Collins played with Eric Clapton, Sting, & Led Zeppelin, in the same afternoon!

And Eric Clapton is still playing this in 2019 as I'm headed to Dallas to see him....at age 74!

Me 1985: Wow Eric Clapton looks so old. Me 2020: Wow Eric Clapton looks so young.

This ain't live aid. This was the greatest concert of Phil Collins ever.

Eric Clapton - guitar / vocals Tim Renwick - guitar Chris Stainton - keyboards Donald 'Duck' Dunn - bass Phil Collins - drums Jamie Oldaker - drums Marcy Levy - backing vocals Shaun Murphy - backing vocals

The story of Phil playing at both venues in the same day just makes this whole performance better!

Fun fact, Eric was extremely nervous and uncomfortable about this performance because they were going after guys like Elton John and David Bowie and didn't feel they deserved to be there, they also had an extremely short time to rehearse and upon arriving learned the they did not have the sound equipment they had asked for. Amps, monitors, board, pianos, microphones etc were all the wrong models... The only thing that they had right were the guitars, and that's because they brought those themselves

I love that Phil Collins is just casually pounding away on the drums lol I always love to see collaborations... 1985 is when music peaked for this generation.

he's got the looks of both Chuch Norris and bob Ross mixed together

During this pandemic seeing videos of these kinds of concerts where there are thousands of people feels surreal. It’s like a different world.

It all started here for me - I was 14, lived in London and loved music. I had to wake up in the middle of the night to change the VHS tape (oh those were the days) as Eric's performance was overnight live from Philadelphia. I was a huge Phil Collins fan and had to ask my Mum the next day who was this guy playing guitar with Collins.....33 yrs later I have now seen Eric 25 times in concert. Thanks Live Aid

No cellphones in sight, people just rocking their hearts out and having a blast, what a time to be alive!

Phil Collins is the hardest-working man in rock. He sings and drums his HEART out.

It was almost exactly 36 years ago, down to the time of day. Right around sunset, Clapton tore into this one. One of the highlights for a 17-year-old me in the crowd.

Who in this world can dislike songs by Eric Clapton?!

I had the privilege to see Eric Clapton live in concert in Germany in 1978 along with Bob Dylan is one of the greatest concerts I've ever seen in my life, and I've seen several concerts When he jammed out to Layla the whole place came alive

Exceptional, Eric Clapton in his prime is something truly special, he wasn’t just a master guitarist, but truly a master songwriter.

Like his relaxed businessman/middle school math-teacher-look here

3:50 is without a doubt one of the most famous keyboard sounds ever.

This, my friends, is Eric Clapton.

Eric aside but Phil was used like a rented mule for Live Aid! He performed with Sting in London then flew to Philly and did sets with Eric (3 songs), 2 solo works, and then drums with Led Zeppelin for 3 songs!

2:47 This is by far the best solo from what I´ve seen Eric play. Of course he varies the solos in different live gigs, but somehow this feels so complete.

Everyone: I love how Eric is just wearing work clothes Eric: but- I like these clothes

What a powerful performance. He just walked on stage, and blew the crowd away. And not just his guitar, but his voice was sounding awesome too.

Phil Collins is everywhere and associated with everyone.... amazing

Anyone who thinks Phil Collins sucks, just remember that he played drums on Layla and Stairway To Heaven in the same day.

I remember being in front of the TV the entire day that Live Aid aired. Truly unforgettable. Sad to say, but this type of event wouldn't happen today. So simple...a stage, a crowd, and great music! Wow!

Shaun Murphy (singer) said of this performance - "We came out and the audience was kinda cheering. Then Eric hit the chords for Layla and I have to tell you it was the most incredible feeling, it was absolutely physical. The shouting and the clapping pushed us all backwards about 3 steps. We just kinda looked at each other and continued on. But, I’d never felt like that before or since, it was an amazing experience."

Need to invent time machine. Must be there

You can laugh at the clothes, hair and the old school tech, but the music was real. Some of the best live performances in rock n roll history.

Was a 19-year-old kid with my best friend at this concert! We drove from New York to Philly. It was an amazing lineup but Clapton is my favorite! My car license plate said LAYLA! Eric’s smile at 6:25! Love ❤️

Sometimes music gets so good there is nowhere to go. This was the case here l. So glad to have lived in this time and place. Never to be repeated.

Clapton looks like a dad that picked up a hobby in his garage and he plays his songs just as he would while doing so

I was 11....and in my country , Argentina we saw this Live Aid shows on about 5 saturday`s night....I still remember this moment....was when I fell in love with Clapton

I’ve rewatched this 4 times I’m not done yet

There have been maybe 2 or 3 events that inspired music fans around the world and were a symbol of an era. That was one

That riff just gets me everytime. It's so good. Everytime he plays it, I'm like, "Oh boy, here we go." One of the best riffs in rock history.

Just learned how to play the full song today feeling happy now

Eric Clapton on eletric guitar and Phil Collins on drums. Best duo and Perfection!

I never get tired of this song! That intro chords grabs me every time.

Watched this performance stage right as I was working the show for Spectaguard in Philly from 5:30 am to midnight,not realizing how monumental this show would be and wish I could go back to those days with all the insanity we now live under.

Happy to say I was at this show, got to the JFK parking lot at midnight the night before, went inside at 8am. Stayed down on that field all day and night, unforgettable day.

2019: I miss guitars and real music. 2021: I miss crowds and gatherings.

Eric Clapton AND Phil Collins. Greatness meet Greatness

The piano break in this song will always be one of my favorite pieces of music history. So beautiful, arguably the most recognizable piano part in rock history too. Queen or Elton may take that cake though. Lol

All of this concert was epic. The sound quality and performances were almost perfect. No auto tune. Just talent. Awesome

What a concert! You will never see this happen again! Love the eighties!

its like the whole song eric just holds it in and when its time for the solo, he lets out the bull. one of my fav solos. truly a masterpiece.

RIP Jamie Oldaker - You were an awesome drummer! - 07-16-2020

I remember that day,watched it all day, it was a really hot day, it was great, all the top artists were on,and some not so famous, fond memories.

The most famous start to a song this century , brilliance .

I prefer when he shouts Layla rather than the girls tbh Edit: really he can only do this in the studio version because “Layla” is the only time he gets to breathe

"Things got off to a shaky start. When I moved up to the microphone to sing the first line of “White Room,” I got a great big shock off it, further unnerving me, and meaning that I had to sing the rest of the show with my mouth not quite touching the mike, but still close enough to hear myself, since the monitors weren’t very good. We played two more songs, “She’s Waiting,” a song from Behind the Sun, and “Layla,” and then we were off and it was all over. Phil Collins came on, followed by Led Zeppelin, then Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. After that I remember very little other than being herded back onstage at the end to join in the finale, singing “We Are the World.” I think I was just in a state of shock." E.C.

This has always been THE song for me. Any version, any tempo. It always sends chills down my spine. For me ,it is perfection.

Best version of Layla ever! Phil Collins on the drums. Superb!💖. Best looking Eric too!😍

It's just me or he looks SOOO BADASS

Can I just say that Eric’s vocals in this are amazing!

anyone else's favorite perfomance of layla by clapton?

OMG ..............1985..........Eric playing lead, Donald 'Duck' Dunn on bass & Phil on the drums, it just did not get any better. Not only a great live song, great Concert ....But a great time to be alive. Life was just so much simpler.............people talked 1-1 not via text or cell phones. Our greatest question was .....what would be No 1 on Casey Kasem's weekly countdown??? Loves lost and opportunities not taken .......all things that we reminisce about BUT we wouldn't have changed it for the world. It was the best of times, the worst of times .......But, no doubt, it was the best time to be alive....... An era of the greatest bands Ever, we were so spoilt. But most importantly, we were privileged to live at a time when there was respect, love, old fashioned values and dreams to be made. I miss those days of simplicity.......what a better world this would be, if we could turn back the clock!!!! Much love & respect, Jim (New Zealand)

When Britain rocked. The world

My God this song ROCKS! Just rediscovered it. Have we all forgotten forgotten how great Clapton is or was it just me??? Can't believe how young he looks! And the instrumental part is great too.

I`m coming back to this video again and again. What a performance and energy. The ultimate version of Layla.

if this doesnt give you a thrill you don’t have a pulse... wow, it really just takes you away. awesome Phil Collins on drums and don’t overlook Chris Stainton on piano. I remember watching this live.

Imagine how monumental this would be if it occurred in 2019. With everyone on their smartphones, there would be such a massive impact.

I love Duck Dunn, man! Coolest bass player ever!

for as much as people rave about his amazing guitar work---just listen to that voice! One of the best growls in blues-rock!

Very hot day. Firetrucks hosed is down. So happy I attended. Beautiful day and the music in Philly and London was awesome.

30 March 2020. Happy 75th birthday, Mr. Eric Clapton! Still a legend!

Back when concerts were about music artistry. Now the 'big stars' need explosions, 30 costume changes, backing tracks, auto-tune,... Give Clapton a guitar and he will entertain you the whole evening.

First time I've seen this.....35 years on.....what a terrific performance from Eric and his band...... 2 drummers were crisp and added depth to the rhythm.....

Is it just me or does it feel like they are playing this at 150 BPM after a few bumparooskis of that white fairy dust?!?

All the Guitar greats have taken inspiration from him! There is something so uniquely pleasant about the way he plays ! It's so distinct. God given talent🙏🙏🙏 Huge fan from India🇮🇳

Eric clapton looks like he just fire his own boss from office, go out while throwing all the paper works and then go to the stage to perform

Best version of this song ever imo

I love Eric Clapton he’s so talented from playing with a plastic guitar as a boy to bein a guitar legend! Definitely my fav artist

Its double time because for clapton in 1985, there was no food. only cocaine.

He is a guitar god..he still is amazing

I believe that somewhere in the world, there are people who feel the same emotions that I feel when I listen to masterpieces like this song.

It's so Classic It's so 80s the Light ,The Audience , The Atmosphere is Insane ✌

The thing with eric is that He can give u many different versions of the same song everytime and it all sounded better than the previous Look at layla live esp the acoustic Pure Genius!!!! Who can top that ?

Eric Clapton is a AWESOME Guitarist and Phil Collins is a brilliant drummer.

that Break is just wonderful..

Just discovered today that Clapton, Beck and Page played for the Yardbirds. God freakin damn, that's so freakishly awesome!

Phil Collins keeps eyeballing that other drummer like he wants to challenge him to a duel. Wow, Eric Clapton plays with such speed he might set that guitar on fire. A true guitar hero.

Phil Collins and Eric Clapton: The masters of the composition. 🎵

Much respect to Eric on this performance, a great song, a staple for everyone. When I first saw this video I didn't know that Mr. Collins was on the drums. Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, It's great music and there has to be some sort of pause in life for society, take a deep breath and remember that you just heard a great song and performance..Job well done to the band, A great song.

Beat second half of any song ever written

Criminally underrated singer

Talented musicians doing what they love to do in support of a great cause.

This is a classic by a master. Plus one of the background singers understands - "More Cowbell!!" My great niece is named Layla.

Phil Collins on the drums??!!!!! What an amazing song, and beautifully done!!!

Today, on 2019 Christmas i have discovered this song and i can’t see how i lived without it all these 13 years. I definitely was born in the wrong era!