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Eric Clapton reveals this week of his declining health

The King of Electric Guitar this week, Eric Clapton, announced to the news media that he is just about completely deaf from severe tinnitus and is suffering nerve damage to his hands that will in just a matter of time compromise his ability to play. When Clapton goes it will be the end of the Rock era as we know it.

Years ago, B.B.King was asked at a press conference who he thought was the greatest rock guitarist of all time, he replied,
"My personal opinion?..."Eric Clapton is the greatest rock and roll guitar player of all time." 1986


                                                 
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geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
The connection was that Cocaine was his drug of choice for some time. Like heroin, it has its downside, assuming you survive it. According to him he had a $16K per week heroin habit way back when, at his peak consumption as it were. 
aolcajun
1 posts
 
Not only that.  He gave pioneer blues artist their due and their royalties.
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
The thread’s subject is his health, not his talent or generosity.
cfjl1's avatar
cfjl1
1 posts
 
IMHO Clapton was at his best with Cream. I saw them in 1968. 3 supreme masters on one stage. There are many great guitarists who have never reached Mr. Claptons level of fame. I live near DC, which spawned some of the best: Roy Buchanan, Danny Gatton, (both deceased-seen them both), Link Wray, Tom Principato(still performing). Then there is Larry Carlton, Walter Becker. Many others who never rang the top 40 bell.
wspohn's avatar
wspohn
582 posts
 
Young Clapton was amazing, but old Clapton has been mailing it in fo some years - the slow version of Layla??!!

But his last album, 'I Still Do' proved that he still can. Impressive on vinyl (double 45 rpm).

Have seen him live many times and was glad to see he could still dredge up some of the old fire.
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