That 2007 tour was fantastic. I caught the Jacksonville stop. Little Queen of Spades and I guess Layla were feature spots for Derek, but EC gave Derek a lot of the stage throughout the show. Also the setlist was heavy on Dominoes tunes. Terrific band that EC put together for that tour, with great rhythm section and Chris Stainton is an excellent pianist.
That was a great Derek showcase, but I found myself marveling at Clapton throughout. Pretty fantastic Stainton keys also.
@bird72 I thought it was Derek side at it's best. One of his moments that makes the hair on my neck almost stand up and maybe it did. Duane Allman could do that to me. Just so intense and locked in. The guitar just simply an extension of the players mind, body and soul.
Clapton is simply a superstar. From the early 1960s Clapton has been a major star in music world. For decades Clapton has sold out major arenas and theaters all over the world. Absolutely as big as the Rolling Stones or Pink Floyd. Dickey Betts is the wealthiest person to have been in the Allman Brothers at a net worth of $40 million. Eric Clapton has a net worth of $450 million!!!!!!!
Derek and Doyle both play great solos on this clip - but this is an Eric Clapton pick-fest! Possibly some of his finest live-playing ever! A bunch of us "Peach Heads" went to the Birmingham, Al episode of the 2007 tour. That was a fantastic band! Eric played with much greater fire, zeal and enthusiasm than he did when I had last seen him on the "461 Ocean Boulevard" tour(July 29, 1974). At that show, he barely even played guitar. He pretty much just wore it while holding onto the mic stand. In 2007, he not only played his personal ass off, he seemed to use the show as an opportunity to introduce the new generation of guitar heroes.
lol I was at the 461 tour also and it was terrible. I remember Clapton trying to play a solo during Badge and he just stopped and shook his head. I wasn’t surprised to find out many years later when I read his book that he was off H but drunk the entire time.
saw him again during Journeyman tour snd it was a different story. He was great
a friend was at a show in 07 and thought Derek got more applause than EC. I wish I was there
George Terry was great on that tour. Saw it in Philly 1974.
@steved George Terry was great! So was Carl Radle, Yvonne Elliman and all the rest. Eric just kinda sucked a noodle on that tour. Like Stormyrider said - off Heroin, but drunk off his arse. No "God" on guitar. Hardly any actual playing at all by him (at least at the show I saw). To this date - the single biggest concert disappointment of my life. As said, he did redeem himself in subsequent tours and shows.
Covid home-bound web surfing - found a 1975 Rolling Stone interview with Eric. He addresses his lack of playing on the 461 tour, his drunkenness and rumors that he almost became a member of the Allman Brother's Band. Some misspelling by RS (who is "Tom Down"?) but a good read:
Yes a good read. I remember the rumors in 1972 or so that Clapton was going to be Duane's replacement and about 1976 or so Clapton said in an interview in Circus magazine I think it was that if they had asked he would have joined. Duane was the only one Clapton got to know apparently. The rest of the band stayed on the sidelines while they were in the studio in Miami and Gregg apparently never even talked with Clapton. Clapton was a superstar of course and Gregg must have felt shy.
If I remember correctly Clapton dropped out for a few years after Derek and the Dominos collapsed, was on smack and heaving liquor drinking ( hey he would have fit right in with the post Duane ABB. He and Gregg could have shared the same bus) and when Clapton returned to the road, he was rustly from not playing at all and still drinking heavily but had kicked the smack habit. Clapton couldn't even play songs he had played for years without clams and loosing the tempo so he just didnt play any solos at several shows at that 461 Ocean Boulevard tour. Like going to see Evil Knievel and all he does is drive by the grand stands at 25phm in a Dodge Dart five or six times.
But EC got his mojo back and EC Was Here was a real good live album from that era. Still have my vinyl copy from the 70's.
He is good here. Clapton always puts together a great band to go out with.
Listened to a good bit of the legendary Nick Graham instrumental box set the other day. Buenas vibraciones
http://mail.etree.org/pipermail/bittorrent/2009-January/031444.html
Beauty of Clapton is his ability to let people take the lead and not feel he must out do them. He prefers to compliment.
IMO opinion based on his career totality (bands, music released, length of time relevant) he is the greatest artist in the rock and roll era. No question Beatles were bigger for 10-15 years. Argue Jimmy H top guitarist of all time but when considering his life work.
IMHO Clapton is top artist. The man has also overcome heroin, alcohol, loss of a child (incredible) and Patty 
I've caught Clapton live about 6-7 times. 4/5/78 he was good. I was 15, high on second hand smoke. Next shows 4/1984, couple shows in Montreal late 80's were great. I had tics to Journeyman tour and missed due to work. I caught him in Boston with my son 2008?. It was a compilation show with acoustic, rock just good. I love the Crossroads shows on tv.
@vtab Yes I agree. Clapton is a SUPERSTAR and has been since the 1960's. A long list of million selling albums with Unplugged over 10 million copies!! Net worth: $450 million dollars.
Yet he gives other musicians lots of spotlight time and room to show their stuff. Clapton will sit in with bands and musicians who will never be as famous as Clapton is.
When Clapton sat in with our beloved Allman Brothers Band in 2009 to celebrate Duane Allman and the 40th anniversary, Clapton was a way bigger star than anybody in the Allman Brothers.
When he had Derek in his band and gave Susan a Les Paul (the one Clapton used in The Bluesbreakers??) they most likely will never be as popular and as rich as Clapton but treated them as equals. Same with many other good musicians. Buddy Guy and B. B. King are two of many.
Yes Eric Clapton is probably the most successful and richest singer, guitar player, song writer in the rock era. Much bigger than anyone who was ever in the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the blues greats and others. Only Paul McCartney, The Stones, Pink Floyd equal Clapton.
@robertdee Eric Clapton probably did more than any other artist to shine as much light as possible on and to give the original Blues artists their recognition, glory and more importantly - their paychecks! His own musical accomplishments aside, he did all this.
@rusty Yes I remember reading an interview with B. B. King and B.B. was talking about watching Eric Clapton on the Larry King Show on CNN and Larry asked Clapton was there anyone out there he would like to record an album with? And Clapton said "B.B. King". B. B. said he almost fell out of his seat. B.B. said he and Clapton were friends and Clapton was always gracious to him eventhough Clapton was a much bigger draw in the music business. B. B. called and sure enough Clapton wanted to do one and it was by far the biggest selling album B. B. had done. Riding With The King.
And Clapton had such respect for B. B. he insisted B. B. have first billing. Note the album cover. Clapton is a class act
On the original with Duane Allman, on Clapton's first solo Clapton hits a slip note that features a "CLANK" sound harmonic and either Clapton yells at his own cool note or its Duane. Duane use to do that when Dickey would do a real cool band so I've always wanted to think its Duane.
When Duane plays his side solo Clapton yells out twice when Duane hits a wicked note on slide. Something Clapton did to shine the spotlight on the other guy. Real classy for Clapton to do that!!
Argue Jimmy H top guitarist of all time
Yeah, I often argue Jimmy Herring is the greatest of all time, but I agree Clapton should be in the conversation.
Fond memories of a red head while listening to Clapton as she "let it rain" on me. Anyways, I look back to many of my favorites bands/musical events here is a quick list Cream, Blind Faith, Dominoes, with Harrison on All Things Must Pass, solo career, acoustic career, charity events (Concert for Bangledesh, Live Aid, Concert for George, Crossroads) add to that the fellow artists hes played with and everything I have missed. You will need pages.
Finally to top it off, what does the guy do when not "playing a screaming guitar, driving a 57 Chevy" dude loves to fish with
Iceland a favorite. Yeah, love to have a beer with the guy not sure were to begin that conversation.
