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Eric Clapton at the ±«Óãtv: The Rock 'n' Roll Years

Archive journey through Eric Clapton's performing life at the ±«Óãtv, including the Yardbirds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominoes.

A journey through Eric Clapton's performing life at the ±«Óãtv and elsewhere, from his 60s blues days to his noughties blues days. Clapton has been described as the best guitarist in the world and has a life story and career that would make anyone's hair curl.

By way of extensive ±«Óãtv archive footage, the programme charts his varied and ever-changing career - from the beginnings with The Yardbirds until he left to join the purist blues of John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, to the dynamism and musical synchronisation with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce, which produced the turbulent Cream, to Clapton's collaboration with Stevie Winwood that would spawn Blind Faith, to his brief sojourn in the Plastic Ono Band and his unforgettable contribution to Lennon's heroin hell tribute Cold Turkey, to his low-profile spell with rootsy US act Delaney and Bonnie, to the band he formed with Bobby Whitlock, Derek and the Dominoes, that produced one of the most famous unrequited love songs in Layla, and on to his successful solo career since then.

Along the way Clapton has successfully survived heroin and alcohol abuse, been accused of being a racist, stolen his best friend's wife, changed bands as often as his shirt, and lost a son in the most tragic of accidents. Through it all, he has produced some of the best music of the 20th century.

30 minutes

Last on

Fri 16 Jul 2021 23:05
±«Óãtv Four

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Eric Clapton

    Badge

  • The Yardbirds

    Louise

  • John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers

    Double Crossing Time

  • Cream

    I'm So Glad

  • Blind Faith

    Presence of the Lord

  • Delaney & Bonnie

    Poor Elijah

  • Eric Clapton & Bobby Whitlock

    Bell Bottom Blues

  • Eric Clapton

    I Shot the Sheriff

  • Eric Clapton

    Wonderful Tonight

  • Eric Clapton

    Layla

  • Eric Clapton

    Behind the Mask

  • Eric Clapton & Pete Townsend

    Blues Improvisation

  • Eric Clapton & Pete Townsend

    Standin' Round Crying

  • Eric Clapton

    Tears In Heaven

  • Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra with Eric Clapton

    Stop Breaking Down Blues

  • 00:25

    Eric Clapton

    Tears In Heaven

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