Wednesday, April 09, 2008

In the Presence of the Lord: Clapton's God

http://www.paulaltobelli.com/uploaded_images/clapton-is-god-788339.jpg
Slowhand himself would quickly refute the author of this graffiti. And he would take no offense to what this dog is doing to the graffiti-emblazoned wall. He might even join the dog. That's the impression I get of Clapton from reading this interesting feature by CT's John Powell about the spiritual side of Eric Clapton. It is an interesting read, though it stops short of saying what some of us would hope to read in such an article.

One correction -- Powell says, "the man whose work with a Gibson Les Paul." Clapton is not known for playing a Les Paul, but rather a Stratocaster. I think every picture I've ever seen of him depicts him with a Strat. What would otherwise be a compelling article is somewhat diminished by such an obvious error on the writer's part.

Rare picture of Clapton with a Les Paul (notice the body of the guitar is only cut away on the bottom, and a switch is on the top):

Eric Clapton-10049


Typical images of Clapton with a Strat (notice the double cut away of the guitar's body):
http://www.wilson-benesch.com/uploaded_images/DR1014_Eric_CLAPTON_C-753347.JPG


http://www.iem.ac.ru/EC/images/covers/eric_clapton.gif
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41vcDVQfewL._AA280_.jpg
http://videomuzik.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/clapton.jpg



2 comments:

Paul Otto said...

Clapton first played a Gibson E-335and then a Les Paul in the 60s when the graffiti appeared. He also played an Gibson SG for a short time, I believe, and a Fender Telecaster. He adopted the Strats in the 70s.

Russ Reaves said...

Thanks Paul. I stand corrected. However, I still think if I were writing about Clapton's guitar-genius, I would refer to the Strat not the Les Paul.