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.

Weekend Old And New Year's Music

Before we turn the page on this year, we just want to say, once again, R.I.P. George Harrison and Tom Petty.*



* And Lou Reed, and Richie Havens, et al.

Weekend Autumn Song

Here's a beautiful, bluesy/ jazzy rendition of the classic "Autumn Leaves" by Eric Clapton for you to enjoy your upcoming autumn weekend:

Weekend Birthday Song

Tomorrow (the 30th) is Eric Clapton's 68th birthday.   The celebrated "Slowhand" who, along with Jimi Hendrix, is considered one of the ultimate rock guitarists, composed this song with his friend George Harrison, and recorded it with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker (a.k.a., Cream).  Here's Harrison's recollection of how the song got it's name, "Badge":

"I helped Eric write 'Badge' you know. Each of them had to come up with a song for that Goodbye Cream album and Eric didn't have his written. We were working across from each other and I was writing the lyrics down and we came to the middle part so I wrote 'Bridge.' Eric read it upside down and cracked up laughing-- 'What's BADGE?' he said. After that, Ringo walked in drunk and gave us that line about the swans living in the park."

Enjoy the song and your Easter weekend.

Memorial Mid-Week Song

Eric Clapton wrote "Tears In Heaven" after the accidental death of his 4 year old son. Funerals of the children and teachers killed last Friday are continuing in Newtown, Connecticut, each one a heartbreaking thing.

To contribute to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, click here.