Joe Bonamassa on the Simple Secret to Clapton's Sound 

I love how Joe shows such immense respect for Clapton, saying “Sir” and “Mr. Clapton”. This young man has manners that his mother would be proud of!

Clapton’s sound is always surprisingly clean in the mix and regardless of the situation he never over plays.

Hearing and seeing JB's humility and his respect for Clapton is incredible. It doesn't make him a better player but his character makes the world better.

A good friend of mine is a songwriter/producer. She is a child of a former household name. She was asked to produce 3 artists for a compilation project. Michael McDonald, Adele and Eric Clapton. On the Clapton session he played a passage. When it was done she asked him if he wouldn't mind tweaking it a little. There was a long silence on the other side of the talkback. The engineer's eye's were buggin'. Finally, he said, "I'll try it, but keep the other one, ok?" She agreed and the 2nd take was done. They ran him off a copy of each. The original and her suggestion. They exchanged pleasantries, he left and life went on for her. About a month later she gets a call out of the blue. It was Clapton. He said, "You know I've been listening to that track you produced. Your call was the right call. I just wanted you to know that." She thanked him and he asked her if she was a player. She affirmed she was, but only enough for songwriting. He said, "Well, you produce like a player. Keep your pecker up 'cause you're a good producer." To which she replied, "You keep your pecker up, too. You're a pretty good guitar player." After about 3 seconds she heard a huge roar of laughter on the other end. After he stops laughing he said, "You're a right cheeky geezer, too." The both laughed and said their goodbyes. They're still friends. Whenever he's in Nashville he gives her a call for a catch up. When he calls his first words are, " "How's our right cheeky geezer?" She told me she sees why he's Sheryl Crow's favorite mistake. lol

Billy Gibbons: " I could pick up any guitar in this store and I'd still sound like Billy Gibbons".

The humility of this guy is staggering, surpassed only by his sheer brilliance. This is not the same Joe Bonamassa as on stage, that guy is a monster, a brilliant, beautiful monster.

Fantastic story. Joe is a very humble & respectful man. Wish they’d do an album together.

The simple secret to Clapton’s sound is …… Clapton.

“Then he [Clapton] sings. And every note’s in tune.” Yes, indeed. As you say, it’s a gift. Clapron’s music is always in time and in tune; no sour notes, no missed phrases, whether life or in the studio. Yes, he has a gift of extraordinary talent. But like all the best musicians, he honed his gift. Excellent y interview, and great comments from Mr. Bonamassa.

I just recently discovered Joe, he's playing in my hometown of Baltimore this month. It's an awesome story of a getting to play with your boyhood hero, he's such an accomplished so much and he's still fairly young. My music sounds nothing like his, but I'm still in awe of his talent.

I always enjoy JB’s “dual personality.” On stage badass persona behind those signature sunglasses with his hair slicked back... but off stage the most calm, laid back, humble and un-assuming guy you would ever want to meet. Great artist, great guy

Great story showing genuine humility. It is lovely to hear Joe B speak of one of his idols this way. Total respect 👍

I love Joe Chambers. He is doing so much to enlighten us with the more interesting perspectives of what we love in music. Thanks Joe!

I love Bonamassa’s speaking voice. I can listen to him for hours tell stories. He’s a regular guy who loves music in all respects who just happens to be a savant. As an aside, the pic at the end of this clip brought a tear to my eye. I get it Joe. He did know which is why he did that for you. You’re a genuine artist!

I can’t thank Joe Chambers enough for all The work that he’s put into the musicians Hall of Fame it is incredible. I’ve only been once. Now it’s an annual pilgrimage from Indiana. Thank you for the interviews to on RU-vid.

Wonderful interview - this speaks volumes about both Eric Clapton and Joe Bonamassa, Eric's curiosity about Joe, and being gracious, and Joe being very humble and gracious as well. I have seen Eric live about four times and Joe once, and these guys are my top favorites to listen to. I'm a guitarist myself and I love hearing about all the ideas, stories and quotes from each player.

I've been fortunate to see them both in concert. Great Musicians!

Great to see Joe play with one of his idols! Clapton is amazing, but so are you Joe!

Joe and Eric, 2 of the greatest people in the world. So blessed to have heard this story, all the best

I met him at Clapton's crossroads in Chicago. He was such a humble guy. Joe came around from the table and took a picture with me. As soon to be legend talking about a legend. Very cool.

What a great story! And thanks for sharing it and being so humble and grateful about it.

When I heard Further on up the road. I had to do it with my band. They EC and JB are out of this world. Fantastic duo.

I grew up listening to Mr Clapton, I had the opportunity to see him in Toronto a number of years back, it was a dream come true. I can't even imagine shaking his hand and thanking him for teaching me how to appreciate my instrument more.

I’ve watched this clip before and it still gives me goosebumps. Beautiful.

Love the last few albums joe, nice to see someone still cares about decent tunes and great studio production.

What a humble chap not many around these days Well done fella !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Immediately went to the Further Up the Road clip on RU-vid after watching this one Joe. Thanks for your education on this channel. My favorite part of the Royal Albert Hall gig? When Eric Clapton points at you to take the lead? You have died and gone to heaven.

Joe, your humility is only surpassed by your extraordinary talent. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. Rock on 🤘.

Very humble and likeable man also a great guitar player. Best wishes Joe!

mad respect for Joe he did it the right way, hard work and he’s amazing and yet humble well done .

I met Joe at a NAMM show in 05.....he is a down to earth gentleman. We were at a guitar booth talking guitar. Super talent super guy!

This an amazing story. Very touching!

Joe you filled the RAH and Clapton was a bonus. A GIANT bonus. Be proud. What a performance.

Love Joe's respect and admiration for his mentors. I saw Eric in Portland, OR at the Paramount Theatre, only 3,200 capacity. February 1978. I was 20 years old. I still have the purple ticket stub somewhere. It was $8.50. Ahh! The good old days :-)

Lovely tale and told with due respect Joe. It's a great moment in the video and you can see the unbridled joy on your face.

Great story Joe, you deserve the experience; I met Joe once randomly at Guitar Center- Hollywood, was a total gentleman!! Cheers Fellas!

Joe is so humble, and sells himself short. He is a top notch player.

The power of Clapton and the respect of Bonamassa, love it!

Just recently started learning all the Clapton stuff and found this very inspiring!

The 'Further on up on the road' at the RAH is pure fantastic joy- dueling guitars and even the horns frantically getting in on the action. Have never seen Mr. Blue Condition (EC) having so much fun. Well done Joe from Upstate NY!

Respect and humility leads to greatness.

I appreciate Joe’s humility.

What a class act.. Grateful I’m here to watch Joe’s journey.. Hope he’s around for another 1/2 Century

I admire his playing style --effortless....you were fortunate, right time and right place...

Thank you for sharing your story with us. Sometimes I close my eyes when I’m playing my guitar and pretend that I’m Clapton 😯

Yeah, Joe pays a lot of respect to E.C. here - with good reason. And one day they will make a project together. That`s what I believe and what the music world is longing for, isn`t it? Thanks for posting.

What a great story. I've listened to that album enough times that I'm playing the song in my head as he speaks. One of the best things about Eric Clapton is how he has used his platform as one of the best and most popular musicians in the world to highlight other musicians, both those who inspired him and those who are coming up in the next generations like Joe B. And now Joe is using his position to do the same thing for other musicians who deserve a spotlight.

Joe is the hardest working man in Blues today. Keep up the great work, Joe!

Great story. Committed guitar players are like a big brotherhood.

both fantastic guitarists,seeing them on stage together was brilliant stuff!

just saw Joe Bonamassa in October at the Majestic theatre in San Antonio tx. An awesome show and I had 6th row tickets!

You gotta love Joe! So humble.

This show is just a treasure as is the Host. Great job.

Joe has earned everything he's got!! Remarkable young man

Love the greatness & humbleness of Joe B. 🎸

Great story. Always wanted to see Clap at the Royal Alberta Hall. Such a beautiful place

I played in a scratch band in The Albert Hall for a corporate gig and I remember standing on stage thinking “Crap - Eric Clapton stood here once…” Genuinely, for a moment, I just forgot how to play my instrument. Thankfully, it came back when we hit the first note…

Continuing to revere others for your Inspiration will always better your craft.

I have loved Joe's cersion of the Blues for decades..Truly humble

The call and response between Clapton and Joe was one of the best I’ve heard. And Clapton’s big grin showed how much he enjoyed it.

I'm 39 and have been playing for about 25 years or so and when I was a kid I was obsessed with Cream and all things Clapton. I still love him to this day and my wife let me know today that for Father's Day this year she got me Clapton tickets for his September show in Nashville. I can't wait to see him! They're not the "best seats in the house" but to even be in the same BUILDING with the man will be enough for me! He's one of the few people in life I'd truly love to meet and would love to know if he's actually a nice guy or not. I bet to do a meet and greet with a legend like him would cost an absolute fortune.

What a wonderful story.

What a lovely humble guy Joe is - particularly for a guitar player of his immense accomplishments. No wonder Eric Clapton had seen his gear set up!

Joe I love how humble and unassuming you are in every day life. Truly that’s what makes an artist great but for the record man, you belong up there with the other greats.

The word humble brings a new meaning. Thank you Joe Bonamassa for being who you are. And thank you for your music.

I've got 2 EC Strats. 1 of 1990/1 of 2010. And a Blues-Junior, no pedals. The sound is mind blowing.

Wow. Joe, what a gentleman. Thanks for posting this.

I stumbled across that concert walking through my living room, my son was flipping channels and said dad you gotta check this guy out, he's incredible! He was right! Until then I had no idea who John was, I do now!

He’s so humble, I saw him in Nottingham as couple of years ago, he threw some picks into the crowd and I grabbed one, doesn’t make me play any where near as good as him though!!

Speaks volumes about Clapton’s own journey and humility. Joe is a curator of Clapton’s legacy; just as Eric introduced so many of us to Robert Johnson. Thank you, MHOF. This is what RU-vid is for.

Joe is such a humble person. Respect.

I just love this channel! I love this Story , it shows how connected we are. I feel good about Humanity. Bravo for this content, Inspiring to the end.

How awesome to jam with your idol icon in a famous venue. It is indeed a blessing.

the Fender Clapton Strat is still hands down my favorite Fender guitar I've ever had the luck to own and play. The maple neck and fretboard are sooooooooooo smooth. Thanks J.B. for this interview. I can't begin to imagine what it must have been like sharing the stage with God.

Best of luck with your PC The Cap show You will love the venue!!!!!!!

Awesome…joe is a great humble person and a massive talented guitarist Great story

Joe is a legend in his own right. He paid his dues and is one of the hardest working musicians in the world.

Joe Chambers always has the best interviews.

Clapton being Clapton Letting his Love Rain down on Bonamassa is why Clapton Reigns

I have never seen such sincere reverence. Wow.

The intro to Layla is one of the reasons I bought my first electric guitar in 1994.

What a humble guy.

My late cousin Robert Moore was a blues nut! Had pics of the greats in his office. HE told me about Joe Bonamassa! Years ago! What a humble guy who is an incredible guitar player!

RESPECT. RESPECT. Nicely done Joe, you just earned my respect.

It’s always about the music and the man… in this case it’s about the music and the men.. Joe has more class in his pinky than most will acquire in a lifetime.

Joe's humility is admirable.

Joe I've been listening to your music for many many years and have turned people on to your great music....

Getting the sound is totally different than the feel. That starts in the head, directed thru the heart to the hands.

Reminds me of a story, A kid walks into a guitar store. Tells the salesman he wants the same guitar and amp that Eric Clapton uses. The salesman showed the kid the equipment. The kid asks, How does he get that special sound ? The salesman says " He Plugs in" !

I almost fell into the trap of buying a sound I like. I really love how Marty Stuart sounds on his B-bender Tele. I started wondering what amp I needed to buy, what pedals, etc. Then I came to my senses and realized that even if Marty gave me his guitar and amp, there's no way I could sound like him.

Gratitude and respect and Humbleness are the gredients of a man. Bravo Mr. Bonamasa 🤌

!!!! Super humble and a magnificent guitar player !!!!!

Man, I feel lucky to have seen this! Golden content as always.

What an amazing Dream Come True .... I truly hope the two of them can get back together and jam on my favourite composition - Spoonful . Perhaps surprise guests could meet on stage and all introduced by Mr Joe Chambers 🌟. Raise Money For Charity .

When I picked up the guitar to play rock, all the arrows pointed to Clapton to start off with.’Sunshine of your Love’,’While My Guitar Gently Weeps’,’Cocaine’,’Layla’,’After Midnight’,Wonderful Tonight’,is what is you heard on the radio.

One great interview after the other! Thank you so much!

Are you kidding Joe ?! Nobody knew who you were ?! Yes Eric is a legend and in my opinion one of the top 5 best guitarists EVER. But you sir are one of the best modern blues players in the world

Best interviews on the web

Another great interview. Thank you.

Further on up the Road is one of my favorite Clapton songs. And he is so right about the simplicity. You look at the transcriptions of the music Hendrix and SRV played and it looks hard. The stuff Clapton plays looks easy in comparison. And you might even get the notes and rhythm right but it will never sound like Clapton. The power and precision he plays with creates a sound that is so unique.