Eric Clapton 2010

[clapointe1]

Eric is playing great ( but lacking alittle fire) and his vocals sound great but damn he looks ill !!!! I know he's 65 yrs old but he looks ill ! The hair and glasses don't help much !

[Route234]

I thought he looked ok when I saw in a while back. He is 65. Hopefully he is not ill. The guy is pretty blessed to be in decent shape considering all the dumb stuff he has done over the years.

[D.Cooper]

That's what decades of alcohol and drug abuse does to the human body. You think he looks bad now just take a look at Jeff Beck.

[dark_rainbow]

he looks damn good for a 65 year old long time alcoholic, former heroine addict

[Nielsnielsniels]

He looks much older with longer hair like in this picture, don't really like it:
http://www.guitarcenterblog.com/wp-content/clapton-blog.jpg

This is how he looked best.
http://www.lessonfilez.com/images/clapton-cream.jpg

Or this:
http://www.gibson.com/Files/aaFeaturesImages2008pt2/clapton_with_les_paul.jpg

[Tricks]

Clapton's always been a very stylish (and style conscious) guy. I think he looks the way an artist should look at his age. It's a tough call to expect him to look 20-23 all his life. If you really want to get a gauge on it, look around your neighbourhood and see what the average 65 year old man looks like.

[LSGoCards7]

He looks much older with longer hair like in this picture, don't really like it:
http://www.guitarcenterblog.com/wp-content/clapton-blog.jpg

This is how he looked best.
http://www.lessonfilez.com/images/clapton-cream.jpg

Or this:
http://www.gibson.com/Files/aaFeaturesImages2008pt2/clapton_with_les_paul.jpg

I would have to say one of these and no I'm not gay!!!

http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/photo47_425x585.jpg

http://welcometonow.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/156.jpg

[msr13]

Looks pretty good to me for a 65 year old. Seems pretty vital and busy, as well.

[Rockinrob86]

I think he looks cool. I hope I can look like that at 65.

[mprvise]

If I'm still playing solos that can move a crowd like the example below at 65 I'll be okay with that. (A buddy of mine shot this vid at a show we attended last month - decent audio for a small camera. The show as a whole was pretty standard, but this solo... oh yeah!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3kZFbZeLxE

[54GT]

Had the same thought (that he looked ill) when I saw him with Beck at MSG in New York recently. Looked a lot older than when I saw him with Winwood a couple of years ago, and his playing reflected how he looked. Hope it is just passing, whatever it is.

[karmadave]

Clapton can still bring it on, but not only is he 65, but he's raising a family. That's a lot for anyone, but for him to still be out touring is pretty amazing. I'll go see Clapton anytime...

-KD

[vintage66]

That's what decades of alcohol and drug abuse does to the human body. You think he looks bad now just take a look at Jeff Beck.

What's wrong with Beck? I don't think he looks bad for his age at all. Just watched the '07 Crossroads 6 song dvd-twice. He's definitely still got chops.

[newswede]

He's added some weight, which I think is good. He's taking better care of himself and has a grounded family life after all those years. I think old boy is looking pretty good! I mean, with 3 small daughters at home and recent gallbladder surgery I'd say he's faired pretty well. Not forgetting the 25+yrs of drug and alcohol addiction either.

I also believe the added weight isn't so surprising after the gallbladder surgery.

[mrkenny]

I'm 62. Clapton simply looks his age. When your creeping up on 70 your, we'll looking 70ish. From 60 to 65 you physically change more than you did from 55 to 60.
It's not an easy thing to look in the mirror and see this old person looking back at you. You feel young on the inside but to other people you look old. It's a wierd place to be but we all get there. I embrace my oldness. I play better and enjoy playing more than ever. As doors close new doors open.

[NFB]

He should get rid of that strat and get back to his roots...........marshalls and gibsons.......when he was king.

[OldSchool]

Look at his waistline. He looks fantastic. I'm probably the only one here that dug the 80's Armani /Miami vice suit Clapton. http://img.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon14.gif

[barryg_nyc]

I saw Clapton and Beck a couple of months ago and thought they both looked great. One's 65, the other 64. You can't expect them to look like they did when they were 40.

http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss300/bgraubart/Jeff%20Beck%20and%20Eric%20Clapton%20at%20MSG%20Fe b-19-2010/IMG_7002.jpg

http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss300/bgraubart/Jeff%20Beck%20and%20Eric%20Clapton%20at%20MSG%20Fe b-19-2010/IMG_6790.jpg


Now, if you want to talk about looking old/scary, take a look at Steve Howe. He looks exactly like what I thought in my 20s that rockers would look if they kept playing into their 60s.
http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss300/bgraubart/stevehowe.jpg

[TubeStack]

He looks much older with longer hair like in this picture, don't really like it:
http://www.guitarcenterblog.com/wp-content/clapton-blog.jpg

He looks cool in that shot. I like it. He's letting the grey hair show lately, which is fantastic.

I think it looks absolutely ridiculous when men dye their hair to cover the grey.

Jimmy looks great with the white/silver locks.

Beck and the like just look silly and painfully obvious. Says so much about ego, self-esteem, etc, without saying a word.

[sanhozay]

Fashion police, hand models, soft porn peepers, free speech protesters....and occasional the discussion of actual music related topics. Priceless.

"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of..."

Oh, never mind. :)

[sanhozay]

And...Clapton is God.

So there.

[Jazzydave]

I saw Clapton awhile back here in Kansas City - he looked great and played like that guitar had been set on fire...it was one of the most imspiring nights of my life.

Say what you will, he's still better than we are!

[hotraman]

I'm 62. Clapton simply looks his age. When your creeping up on 70 your, we'll looking 70ish. From 60 to 65 you physically change more than you did from 55 to 60.
It's not an easy thing to look in the mirror and see this old person looking back at you. You feel young on the inside but to other people you look old. It's a wierd place to be but we all get there. I embrace my oldness. I play better and enjoy playing more than ever. As doors close new doors open.

Well said.
I'm 53 and I play with a lot of younger musicians. You got to be comfortable with who you are.

[angus99]

That's what decades of alcohol and drug abuse does to the human body. You think he looks bad now just take a look at Jeff Beck.

But also possibly what 65 years and no plastic surgery can do to the human body. I admire him for aging naturally.

[mike shaw]

I can't say for sure but I'll bet that Clapton just stopped dying his hair etc.

[clapointe1]

I'm probably the only one here that dug the 80's Armani /Miami vice suit Clapton. http://img.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon14.gif

I agree and that's when he looked annd played killer !

[chrisjw5]

Would we feel better about EC's appearance if he borrowed one of Beck's gawd-awful wigs? Maybe his sweatpants and pseudo-Indian neck gear?

At least EC is OK with being his age.

Though he's in great physicial shape, Beck is living a lie with the jet-black hairpiece.

[Jaimoe]

Look, bottom line, Clapton has nothing to prove.

His body of work speaks for itself. Thank goodness we still have him and he is still performing.

So he looks older. We all do. It happens.

Now, look through your cd collection and crank up some Blind Faith.

[talpa]

listening to the Brandeis '67 boot of Steppin' Out..

nothing touches that tone...I do wish he would play the SG/Marshall again

if tone is his thing.

i've been looking high/low for a good Historic SG or vintage if doable...already have a new in the box set of Throbaks w/ A5 mags ready to throw in.

[larimar]

Couldn't have done it without him.

[riffraff7]

Not a fan. Used to be. I seen him in concert a few times in the 80's and they were all pretty sleepy shows. I liked his Unplugged album. Loved the Beano album. Les Paul through a Marshall! Wow, what tone! He also had some great playing on the Cream reunion DVD, though I didn't care for his tone. We all owe him a tip of our hat's. Great player, just not my cup of tea.

[Dave2512]

Personality and stage presense wise EC is exactly as he has always been. During his most aggressive Cream soloing he stood stock still. If you want theatrics he's not your guy.

That said his playing is exceptional to this day.

[Rotten]

I saw Clapton and Beck a couple of months ago and thought they both looked great. One's 65, the other 64. You can't expect them to look like they did when they were 40.

http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss300/bgraubart/Jeff%20Beck%20and%20Eric%20Clapton%20at%20MSG%20Fe b-19-2010/IMG_7002.jpg

http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss300/bgraubart/Jeff%20Beck%20and%20Eric%20Clapton%20at%20MSG%20Fe b-19-2010/IMG_6790.jpg


Now, if you want to talk about looking old/scary, take a look at Steve Howe. He looks exactly like what I thought in my 20s that rockers would look if they kept playing into their 60s.
http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss300/bgraubart/stevehowe.jpg

Does a life of alcoholism age better than a life of vegetarianism? I think Clapton looks great everytime he wears a Les Paul!!

[Nielsnielsniels]

I think this has to be one of the best guitar solo's of all time.

yGJSKFZWM8M

[Lotis]

I'm 64. Mr Kenny just above nails it. We are ALL going there......might not look as good but I am playing better, more and enjoying it more as well.

[BobbyRay]

If I'm still playing solos that can move a crowd like the example below at 65 I'll be okay with that. (A buddy of mine shot this vid at a show we attended last month - decent audio for a small camera. The show as a whole was pretty standard, but this solo... oh yeah!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3kZFbZeLxE

Very nice! I still don'tsee why everyone on here has such a hard time with the tone he's getting there. Sounds great to me.

[imastratoholic]

Ol' Slow Hand looks pretty damn good for 65. If only he would go back to his 60's giant permed afro though :dude

[talpa]

I think this has to be one of the best guitar solo's of all time.

yGJSKFZWM8M

Have you heard the version on Live Cream Vol. II ?...I think it tops even this excellent version you posted...it's all good though..sorta.

[Nielsnielsniels]

Have you heard the version on Live Cream Vol. II ?...I think it tops even this excellent version you posted...it's all good though..sorta.

I have, and I love it, but 13:58 for an instrumental is pretty long, and Clapton could be repetitive at times, especially when playing the same pentatonic scale over and over again for almost 14 minutes.

[Crowder]

I recently read his autobiography, shortly after reading Keef's book from last year. I have to stop reading rock star autobiographies.....I tend to lose respect for my heroes when I hear how they've handled their personal lives.

That being said, I hope I still feel like playing when I'm that age.

[Mark Barna]

For someone who was a raging alcoholic for 12 years, a raging heroin addict for four years, and has never exercised a day in his life (according to his autobiography), Clapton looks pretty good.

But that lifestyle will catch up with you, and perhaps Clapton is beginning to feel the impact of his life choices.

One of the most shocking declines is seen in Johnny Winter. His decline began in the early 1990s and has never stopped. For years he's been virtually comatose on stage. Though there's been some improvement since he finally kicked methadone (a prescription synthetic replacement for heroin) in December after taking it since the early 1970s, it really is too little too late.


At least Clapton's mind appears to be intact, unlike folks like Keith Richards and actor Charlie Sheen (and perhaps Gregg Allman). They may be mostly off drugs, but their brains have been affected (to the extent as well that they've lost self-awareness of just how badly their mental damage is. We've all seen these people; rambling about nonsense yet thinking they are cooler than and mentally superior to the average person ... #Winning!).

For young musicians, I think the message is clear -- stay away from drugs and alcohol and get your high from the music.

None of us see our music legends living day to day. They are presented in their best light to us (unless TMZ.com is tracking them, ha, ha). So the toll of drugs and alcohol on them isn't shown to us in its true light.

It's true that no one gets out of here alive. But it's also true that, as with Clapton, living a sedentary life fueled for a time by drugs and alcohol will impact you. Talk about having an iron constitution and coming from good stock (as Richards likes to say) -- and therefore harnessing the ability to not be negatively affected by drugs and alcohol -- is just BS.

I remember when George Harrison died, there was a reluctance in the media to say he died of lung cancer from his smoking habit. After all, how could a Beatle be taken out by something so average?