I’m a Classic Rock gal. Now, I’ll listen to some Country tunes. Lady Antebellum, Faith Hill, and Toby Keith are some of the Country acts I enjoy. I adore Adele’s smoky vocals, and there’s even room in my musical library for Lady Gaga and the Black Eyed Peas. But nothing gets my blood pumping like some good old-fashioned Classic Rock. And who better to epitomize Classic Rock’s streamlined, unsynthesized brilliance than Slowhand himself, Eric Clapton.
Eric Clapton is without a doubt one of my all-time favorite artists. I’d pay to see the man play scales, for crying out loud. Rolling Stone ranked Clapton second only to Jimi Hendrix in its list of 100 greatest guitarists of all time. The only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (as a solo artists, and as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream), Clapton is a true rock-and-roll legend whose talent is timeless and enduring.
My husband and I were privileged to see Eric Clapton perform on April 6 in Pittsburgh, the last stop on his North American tour. After a terrific opening set from the Wallflowers (wow, a Grammy winning band as an opening act…what a bonus!), including Eric Clapton sitting in with Jakob Dylan and company to join them on their final number, Clapton took the stage for a solid two hours. No flashy set. No costume changes. No light show. Just a phenomenally talented man surrounded with outstanding musicians, doing what he’s done so well for decades. For me, the highlight of the show as the acoustic set. Layla, Wonderful Tonight, Lay Down Sally, and a song that never fails to bring tears to my eyes, Tears in Heaven. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the background of this song, Tears in Heaven was Clapton’s way of expressing his grief over the tragic death of his son Conor. Clapton’s poignant feelings elevate this song to a ballad that touches my heart every time. Eric Clapton is a tremendously gifted musician with a soulful sound that hasn’t diminished over the years. This wasn’t our first Eric Clapton concert. And it will likely not be our last.
Who are your “must see” musicians? Are you a Country gal, or an Alternative aficionado? Leave a comment for a chance to win this week’s prize, a $5 Amazon gift card. A winner will be selected at random from those who leave comments on this week’s (April 8 – April 12) posts on Sunday, April 14. Please check back on Monday, April 15 to see if you’re the winner.
Tara Kingston 
Radiohead. Just because. They fill you up, they create an atmosphere, they continue to develop and produce different and individual music.
Radiohead. They develop, they change, they make music that fills you up. They never do “more of the same.” They’ve produced some of the most important and iconic music of the last 30 years. Other bands idolize them and base their careers on one small section of the Radiohead trajectory.
I’m so jealous. I love rock and blues. I like almost everyone from the 60’s and 70’s, particularily Dylan and Cohen, but also Clapton. Tweeted.
Thanks for stopping by, Lynne. Radiohead has certainly been an influential force over the years.
Ella, if you ever get a chance to see Eric Clapton perform, go. He’s phenomenal…no frills…just immense talent, and he’s very generous with allowing his fellow performers to have some of the spotlight. I admire that.
Jakob Dylan and the Wallflowers were outstanding, though Jakob actually sounds more like Springsteen to me than his father.
Thanks for stopping by.
Oh, I must see Paul McCartney! Never had the chance, but I hope to some day. Clapton is definitely on that list as well!
I saw Paul McCartney a couple of years ago at Yankee Stadium! Phenomenal concert. Going to try to make it to one of his shows this time around, too! You’ll love it!
I saw the Beatles once. Does that count?
@Lynne Connolly Ummm, yes!!! Seeing the Beatles is even better than Paul alone! …I am jealous beyond belief of you on that one!!! I was just a tad too young to even begin to see the Beatles. Didn’t see my first concert of any kind ’till about 1982 or 1983 I think.