The guitarist and singer Eric Clapton is one of the most successful musicians of all time, with an estimated 280 million records sold throughout his career. In addition to his accomplishments as a solo artist, he was a member of historic bands such as The Yardbirds, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, Cream, and Blind Faith, playing a key role in the evolution of Rock and Blues.
Over the years, he had the opportunity to meet and watch many of his peers at their peak, and he has often spoken about them, including The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards.
What is Eric Clapton’s opinion on Keith Richards
Eric Clapton is a fan of Keith Richards‘ guitar playing and even had the chance to present him with the “Living Legend” award. During his speech, he said: “When I first started playing guitar, many moons ago, there was only one band in the country where I come from that played the kind of music I love. They were called The Rolling Stones. They were a scruffy bunch of kids just like me, so we got on very well. I particularly go on with the guitar player, one of the guitar players. Although we kind of drifted apart, I still love him very much.”
“Like me, he never sold himself down the river, he always played the music he loved. He never did any big commercials (laughs). He just plays the same old stuff and I love him dearly. It’s my great pleasure to give this award to Keith Richards,” Eric Clapton said (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage). The musician was personally asked by Keith to attend the International Rock Awards in 1989 so that he could be the one to present him with his prize that night.
Following Clapton’s speech, Keith played his song “Whip It Up” with his band The X-Pensive Winos. Then he was joined by Tina Turner and Eric Clapton on stage to play “Keep A-Knockin’ (But You Can’t Come In), originally recorded by John Henry “Perry” Bradford.
Keith Richards said Eric Clapton was lazy
They had the chance to play together many times since the 1960s. They were even bandmates in the supergroup Dirty Mac, that John Lennon formed in 1968. Curiously, the Rolling Stones guitarist revealed in an interview with Mojo in 2003, that Clapton wanted to join them after Mick Taylor decided to leave them in 1974.
“Eric wanted to jump in after Mick Taylor, but never did say so. But he expected us to call, although I only just found out. There are certain guys that are band players and there’s certain guys that ain’t. If there’s anybody lazier than me, it’s Eric. He’s got it all, but Eric’s like Mick Taylor in a way. He needs to hire guys to play with him to kick him up the arse,” Keith Richards said.
Although Clapton never became an official member of the Stones, he was part of their 2016 studio album “Blue & Lonesome”. He played the slide guitar in the track “Everybody Knows About My Good Thing” and lead electric guitar in “I Can’t Quit You Baby”.
Eric Clapton gave Keith the Telecaster he recorded Rolling Stones’ classic songs
Eric Clapton was also important for some Rolling Stones’ classics like “Before They Make Me Run”, “Brown Sugar” and “Honky Tonk Women”. He was the one who gave Richards the 1950s Telecaster he used when recording them.
Baptized by Keith as “Micawber”, the guitar was given to him by Eric Clapton as a present for his 27th birthday. It was just as he was about to work on Exile on Main Street (1972). The name was inspired by Wilkins Micawber, a fictional character in Charles Dickens’ novel David Copperfield. He was known for his unwavering optimism and belief that “something will turn up.”
According to Fender, Keith later modified the instrument a little bit. “Originally, it boasted a typical single-coil pickup in the neck position. But shortly after the Stones’ 1972 tour, “Keef” replaced that with a ‘50s Gibson PAF humbucker to give it a little extra bite. Even more interesting about the humbucker is that Richards turned his backwards, so that the magnet poles are facing the tail end of the guitar.”
Although Keith and Eric have been good friends for decades, they didn’t agree on everything. During the Pandemic, for example, Richards was asked by Rolling Stone about Clapton’s anti-vaccine comments. “I love Eric dearly. I’ve known him since forever. We’ve had ups and downs, but, um, you never know. This Covid thing, it’s split people up. It made people sometimes go awry for awhile, you know? I just want to get rid of this damn thing. The only way I can see is everybody does as doctor says,” he said in 2022.
Clapton said that The Rolling Stones embody what Rock and Roll is all about
In 1986, The Rolling Stones received the Grammy Trustees Award, which is given to bands and musicians who have made significant contributions beyond recording and performing live. Eric Clapton presented the award to them, and during his introduction praised them. Good evening ladies and gentlemen. I’m here tonight to provide an example of the cruelty of Mick and Keith sense of humor.”
“You see, they know how useless I am at this sort of thing. Nevertheless, I’m very proud to be chosen to give this award to them, because they’re very dear friends of mine. As far as I’m concerned they are what Rock and Roll is all about. Toughness and relentless to the very end,” Eric Clapton said (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage).
