And Clapton Didn't Even Know

Jfant

Re: the first power trio

Many say Cream

Some argue for Buddy Holly and the Crickets

From my perspective, it's probably Johnny Kidd and the Pirates (ca 1962)

I don't think there's a definitive answer

Map,

I merely pointed out that Buddy & co are often cited as the original power trio, not that I'd choose them. In the context of the time, I get the argument. Given the music of their day, The Crickets were probably a lot closer to a power trio than they seem today.

I went with Johnny Kidd because, even tho there's still a fair bit of twang in the music, his trio sometimes ventured into the distorted territory that bdp (correctly IMO) identifies as characteristic of the power trio. I also agree that Link Wray was an early adopter of the power chord. That's a key part of the musical approach that effectively defines the hard rock/power trio to many listeners.

As to damaging the drivers in a cabinet, my understanding is that Dave Davies (The Kinks) usually gets credit for being the first to put knife to cone. If Link went there first, he deserves even more credit than I already accord him.

The problem of a "ringing third" with high powered amplification probably led to the power chord IMHO. This is a significant example of technological innovation driving musical innovation. (How much of Mozart's music vs Bach's is attributable to the shift from harpsichord to piano?). In my book, Link Wray gets historical kudos (tho admittedly not quite at Mozart's level) on that basis!

Depending on how you want to define a "power trio", your choice of the first example will change accordingly. Per my first post, I still don't think there's a definitive answer here.

Tostado,

McVie started with the Bluesbreakers just as Clapton left the band (in July, 1966). As far I can tell, they never actually played together. That's certainly not definitive, but, based on what I've been able to find, I don't think McVie crossed paths with EC in that band.

Bdp

Re: The Band

Another way to state your observations (particularly Clapton's view) is that The Band's greatest admirers were often high profile rockers that had simply their lost interest in rock, preferring The Band's blend of roots styles.

It's not like Clapton looked exclusively at The Band either. Clapton indulged a similar instinct when he hooked up with Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett. You could even reasonably argue that The Band was simply one flavor of the moment for Clapton, tho it is true that he never really looked back to electric blues rock. To this day, Clapton plays little rock music in concert. However, he does not play a lot of Band style roots music, either. His shows now tend to be acoustic blues sets littered with a few hits to keep the audience satisfied.

In recent years, it's become quite clear that Clapton is looking more at guys like JJ Cale than he is at The Band. Is he more astute today, or was he more attuned back when he was more specifically enthralled with The Band?

As to musicianship, The Band was hardly the standard bearer for instrumental technique. (I do understand that that is a big part of your point.). That does beg the question of why you'd accord them such respect as musicians. They were fine players, but not remarkable. As to their fine ensemble playing, that's largely a matter of personal preference. Bands from Yes to Rush to Earth, Wind and Fire combined expert technique with fine with ensemble playing. I'm not at all sure that I'd put them at the head of the line.

To me, the more remarkable aspect of The Band was their ability to incorporate American roots music into expertly played pop music. I'd suspect that that was more of the attraction for their admirers. The Band's particular roots blend was self evidently appealing to many musicians that were looking for avenues of expression that harkened back to acoustic blues, but IMO that doesn't make them singular. A terrific band, but not singular IMO.

I've only made it thru the first 15 minutes, but, so far, I'm lovin it. I'll try to finish it today.

Onhwy,

Great list. I'd have guessed that John McVie would have had the best list

(Peter Green, Danny Kirwan, Jeremy Spencer, Bob Welch, Lindsey Buckingham, Dave Mason, Rick Vito, among others)

But I gotta admit that Jack's list trumps John's. Now I have a whole new "best of" list to think about. ;-)

Actually my bad. Faulty memory, I guess.

I just checked and saw that McVie played with the BB as early as 1964. Clapton was in and out during 1965-1966, so they did overlap. I thought I recalled that Jack Bruce played bass on "Beano", but he was in on only a few tracks, McVie did most of the work. So, per your observation, add Clapton to McVie's list.

Thanks for the correction.

Little Feat was a monster. Interesting comparison to The Band - maybe a funkier, muffuletta flavored variation on the same theme. Lowell George was just a hero of mine. From The Mothers to Little Feat, LG spanned just such an amazing range of musical sensibility that I think he might have had one of the great, long careers in popular music had he not died so young. What a shame.