Weekend Music Threefer

Tomorrow will be the 74th birthday of one of the greatest, if not the greatest, rock guitarist of all, Eric Clapton. In a career that stretches from the early 1960's to today, Clapton has amassed a catalog of some of the greatest blues and rock guitar performances ever recorded. We selected a few songs to celebrate his milestone.

First, a song from the very beginning of his career with The Yardbirds, "For Your Love."  Ironically, Clapton was so annoyed by the move away from blues that this song (The Yardbird's first hit) represented that he quit the band the day it was released -- which is why you never see him playing guitar when old film clips of the song are shown.  Later, Beatle George Harrison, a close friend, co- wrote "Badge" with Clapton, and it became Cream's final hit (Harrison also played rhythm guitar on the recording).  That same year, Clapton was asked to play lead guitar on Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," from the Beatles' 1968 White Album.  The live version below is from 2002's "A Concert for George," and shows Clapton playing lead and also features (among others) Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Gary Brooker and Dhani Harrison, George's son.  Hope you enjoy.