It would be great enough if Eric Clapton had say, just been in Cream and the Yardbirds. He'd surely be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But his career has had so many phases it's hard for the average person to keep track.
So, on the occasion of Clapton's 67th birthday, I present a timeline for you. And I promise I'm doing this without the aid of wikipedia or google, so there's a chance some of this may not even be right. But it's close enough for rock and roll.
1960's
Clapton plays guitar with John Mayall's Blues Breakers, the Yardbirds, Cream and Blind Faith. He sets up a future "ironic" tag when he quits the Yardbirds because they're getting too commercial and straying too far away from the blues.
1970's
Clapton records with Delaney and Bonnie, forms Derek and the Dominos, and starts a solo career (I believe all before the year 1970 is over!) He marries George Harrison's wife Patti Boyd, does a lot of drugs, has some huge hits including one that does well on the country charts (Lay Down Sally).
1980's
Clapton gets sober, continues to tour and maintain his image as one of the best guitar players ever.
1990's
Clapton has new success, sadly following the death of his son Conor with the song "Tears in Heaven" re-records Layla as a slow ballad and wins a Grammy for song of the year.
2000's and beyond
Clapton throws his energy into his Crossroads Rehab Center in Antigua, selling off a bunch of his iconic guitars for the cause. Also holds several big Crossroads Guitar Festivals, including one that I got to attend in Chicago in 2010!
Speaking of that great show in Chicago, here's a video from one of the first performances of the day, when Clapton played with some one he introduced as his "hero" Sonny Landreth. I thought Eric looked a little non-rock-star like in those shorts and sandals, but in his defense, it was around 90 degrees that day.
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Madison's summer music festival season kicks off this weekend with Brat Fest at Willow Island, where there are more bands than you can shake a bratwurst at! Check out the Brat Fest website to plan your itinerary.
Next up is the Marquette...
John Fogerty is making the talk show rounds this week, stopping in to see David Letterman Tuesday and Wednesday, and the ladies of "The View" on Thursday.
He's promoting his new album, "Wrote a Song For Everyone" which comes out next Tuesday...
It's a miracle that both Jonathan and KItty wanted to hear Barry Manilow this morning. They were not alone. Plenty of Fanilow's called in to vote yes. One caller claimed to have seen Manilow in concert 25 times!
The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, it is another gorgeous Monday, fit for another great show at the Crystal Corner tonight.
Through locking ourselves in the barn on Irish Lane, tossing some ideas around, as well as a few choice beverages to...
Hey everybody, we were thrown for a loop by the twist this week, but were able to make one of our "oldie but a goldie" songs fit the mold.
We have a few songs that we have played consistently over the years, and we are very happy that we will be...
We just received word of what this weeks twist is, and...oh boy. We need to take our "signature song" and cut it to only 2:30 without going over. Amberstein does not simply play 2:30 versions of our songs...so this could be interesting.
Last...
In 1984, Rockwell rose to number 2 for 3 weeks in 1984 with "Somebody's Watching Me." The backup singer for the song was Michael Jackson. How did Rockwell get Jackson to help him? Well, Rockwell's real name is Kennedy William Gordy and he...
Have you heard the song "Rumble and Sway" yet on Triple M?
The singer sounds like a raspy blues dude who's definitely been around the block a few times....but surprisingly, Jamie N. Commons is only 23 years old!
He was born in England, but...
