Fifty Plus (50+) - Eric Clapton...not off topic!!!

This is from Dave Moulton's blog, dated 08/06/07

http://davesbikeblog.blogspot.com/


Once a Cyclist....

"Once a cyclist, always a cyclist.

At heart anyway if not by active participation.

Eric Clapton, in his youth, rode a bike as well as played guitar; he even raced a little and rode a few time-trials.

The guitar became his number one passion and won out over the bicycle, but the bicycle keeps popping up now and then throughout his life and career. In his early days with Cream he made an album called Disraeli Gears.

The story goes that one day in the recording studio Eric was telling the other band members about his bike racing and his road bike. One of them asked, “Did it have those Disraeli gears?”

This was quite funny because what he really meant was derailleur gears. Benjamin Disraeli was a British prime minister in the 1800s during Queen Victoria’s reign. This is how, the now famous album, got its name.

I recently discovered Eric Clapton has a personal blog. He doesn’t write much, mostly posts pictures of his travels, and of objects that interest him.

Recently he posted a picture of a Unicanitor bicycle saddle along with pictures of some cowboy belt buckles. You would be hard pressed to find more dissimilar objects than these and no one but an ex-cyclist would find a bike saddle interesting enough to take a picture.

A search through the archives, unearthed a picture of a Cinelli badge, the kind they used to put on their steel handlebar stems. Also, a fixed gear Cinelli track bike.

I checked back through all the previous posts via the “Back” button to the very first one posted on November 17th, 2006. At the top, he wrote:

“Driven by insatiable passions, governed by the need to be free and independent.......these are some of the things that stop me in my tracks.”

This quote is followed by photos of two different Ferrari cars, and a Dodge Night Runner truck. The fourth picture is of a vintage Cinelli Special Corsa road bike that appears to be in new condition.

Just goes to show how the experience of riding a simple machine like a road bicycle, even briefly in one’s life, can become embedded in a person’s psyche, their subconscious, and it never leaves."

That's a great story of the album title. I'd always wondered about it. It was, I think, my first "cool" record. I played it to death.
I remember reading something 20 or 30 years ago (maybe the rolling stone) about Clapton getting a way cool bike and thinking how much that rocked.

Thanks fo rth post

Actually, Cream's drummer, Ginger Baker was the bicycle racer. The way I heard the story, Clapton was asking Baker for advice on buying a bike when a roadie made the comment about disraeli gears. But either way, it's a cool story.

I just knew that, A) Blues Dawg would post, and B) he would somehow blow this story to kingdom-come with his encylopedic knowledge of all things guitar! :D

But seriously, check out this Clapton concert that apparently got cancelled. It was intended to raise funds for cycling in Russia, or something like that...

http://www.russia-ic.com/culture_art/festivals/219/

That's a great story of the album title. I'd always wondered about it. It was, I think, my first "cool" record. I played it to death.


+1

Plus, I had just finished doing a book report on Benjamin Disraeli when that album came out, so I somehow thought I understood the subtext of the title! (As a dillusional 14 year old!!!)

+1, also.

Very enjoyable story.

Great story. Is it true that Clapton was doping?

This is from Dave Moulton's blog, dated 08/06/07

http://davesbikeblog.blogspot.com/


Once a Cyclist....

...
The story goes that one day in the recording studio Eric was telling the other band members about his bike racing and his road bike. One of them asked, “Did it have those Disraeli gears?”


I got 'cream'-d back in '66 with Fresh Cream, they had a short romance, but I've been that state ever since

I did not know this
this is so kool

thanks

Now reasonably OT: From Allan Sherman to the tune of "Won't you come home Bill Baily"

When Benjamin Disraeli was Prime Minister of England,
And good old Queen Victoria was the Queen,
Whenever she would need him for official palace business,
Disraeli, he was nowhere to be seen.

She went down to 10 Downing Street,
The doorbell there she rang,
And when there was no answer,
This is what the good Queen sang:

Won't you come home, Disraeli. Won't you come home.
Come home to Queen Victoria.
Don't leave that House of Commons, and that House of Lords.
Just sittin' waitin' for ya.
I'm gettin' awful lonesome, 'cause all I do
Is sit here reading Ethan Frome.
Now don't leave me flat,
The key to the palace is under the mat.
Disraeli, won't you please come home.

Won't you come home, Disraeli. Won't you come home.
Come home to Queen Victoria.
Don't leave that House of Commons, and that House of Lords.
Just sittin' waitin' for ya.
You claim official business took you away
To Egypt, and Bombay, and Rome.
Well, I ain't so certain,
'Cause you're the Nineteenth Century Richard Burton,
Disraeli, won't you please come home.

Disraeli, won't you please (I miss you, Dizzy)
Disraeli, won't you please,
Disraeli, won't you please,
Disraeli, won't you please come home.

"Gear" in the 1960s British slang meant "good", or great. So It also had double meaning.

I just knew that, A) Blues Dawg would post, and B) he would somehow blow this story to kingdom-come with his encylopedic knowledge of all things guitar! :D


Just a minor adjustment. And what do I know? I'm just a harmonica player. :rolleyes:

Who's Eric Clapton?

"Clapton is god" - or so I've heard :)

Read a recent book about the making of the Derek and the Dominoes album (hint: Derek is Eric) and there was much info about his early life - no mention of bicyles. Not an encyclopedic volume, tho.

Derek was Dwayne (Allman) and Eric.

I'm biting my tongue a bit here but it's "Duane". I idolize the man so I point that out.
And, I do believe, Derek was, in fact, just Eric. I'm not sure I follow "Derek was Duane and Eric" so maybe I'm just being thick

"Gear" in the 1960s British slang meant "good", or great. So It also had double meaning.

You make me blush.

Great story. Is it true that Clapton was doping?

His time was before doping controls were prevalent.
"Coming into Los Angelees, carrying a couple of ____, don't check bags if you please Mr. Customs Man."

"Clapton is god" :)

IMHO, not quite but almost.
BB is King.
Jimi is dead and gone, but not forgotten.

Funny Dave Moulton didn't mention Peter Gabriel, who rides a Mouton bike. Well, make that an Alex Moulton bike.

TCS

I'm biting my tongue a bit here but it's "Duane". I idolize the man so I point that out.
And, I do believe, Derek was, in fact, just Eric. I'm not sure I follow "Derek was Duane and Eric" so maybe I'm just being thick

You got me on the spelling. :o That's a bad mistake for a boy who came of age 30 miles from Macon, GA in the 70s. I'm probably wrong about that being the derivation of the name "Derek" too since I think they were already going by that name before Duane Allman joined the band for the recording of the Layla album. It is amazing how many people came to love Clapton's guitar playing from that album when many of the licks they were hearing were actually Duane.

You got me on the spelling. :o That's a bad mistake for a boy who came of age 30 miles from Macon, GA in the 70s. I'm probably wrong about that being the derivation of the name "Derek" too since I think they were already going by that name before Duane Allman joined the band for the recording of the Layla album. It is amazing how many people came to love Clapton's guitar playing from that album when many of the licks they were hearing were actually Duane.

Some of the guitar is obviously Eric and some is obviously Duane and some is, well, hard to tell but all very, very nice.

You got me on the spelling. :o That's a bad mistake for a boy who came of age 30 miles from Macon, GA in the 70s. I'm probably wrong about that being the derivation of the name "Derek" too since I think they were already going by that name before Duane Allman joined the band for the recording of the Layla album. It is amazing how many people came to love Clapton's guitar playing from that album when many of the licks they were hearing were actually Duane.

Ohhh... I get it now. D (uane) + Erek (sic). Wow, I completely missed that. I wonder?
I do know that the recording of the album was already in progress before Eric & the boys went to see the ABB where they were invited back for a jam and then Duane asked (or was asked) to help out with the rest of the recording. IIRC, the tracks on the album are in the order recorded which is why Duane isn't on the first 3 songs. Eric asked him to join the Dominos. Duane respectfullt declined. Family loyalties and all.

The discussion over who plays what continues to this day (beginning with its first review in Rolling Stone)

BTW, I saw the brothers a couple of years ago and Derek Trucks (yes, he was named for the band) played Duane's part note for note in their cover of Layla while they showed Duane's image in the background. It was really something. Then he moved on to adding his own touches. I would really like to have seen one of the shows when he toured with Clapton recently.

From somewhere deep in my memory banks, and (I think . . . ) from an article in Rolling Stone long about 1976 (or so), there was a story about Clapton and one paragraph caught my eye, regarding Eric's long friendship with Ernesto Colnago. From what I remember, Colnago had built at least one bike specifically for Eric Clapton and one for Mick Jagger as well.

Wish I remembered more, but considering how long ago it was, maybe I should be grateful that I remembered it at all!

Rick / OCRR

From somewhere deep in my memory banks, and (I think . . . ) from an article in Rolling Stone long about 1976 (or so), there was a story about Clapton and one paragraph caught my eye, regarding Eric's long friendship with Ernesto Colnago. From what I remember, Colnago had built at least one bike specifically for Eric Clapton and one for Mick Jagger as well.

Wish I remembered more, but considering how long ago it was, maybe I should be grateful that I remembered it at all!

Rick / OCRR
Interesting! Like you I have known about the Eric Clapton, bike connection for many years now. So long ago I can’t recall the exact source.

I never knew about Mick Jagger until yesterday when I came across this recent Bicycling article. (http://www.bicycling.com/tourdefrance/article/0,6802,s1-7-123-16212-1,00.html) Now you mention him today.

The "Clapton is God" slogan, (See post #13.) appeared in the form of graffitti all over London immediatly following Cream's first concert. I do remeber that much first hand.

Thanks for posting. Clapton will go down as one of the best ever...he get's better and bluesier with age. :)

Who's Eric Clapton?
He was a roadie who sat on the drums for a trio called Blind Faith, back in 1969. They used to open for The Ohio Players. At least, that's what BluesDawg told me...:D

Hey, wasn't Big Paulie that guy in Culture Club?

Derek was Dwayne (Allman) and Eric.

I think you are* Eric Clapton, who is apparently a 50+ bicyclist.

Thank you, Eric, for turning me on to Robert Johnson.

I think you are* Eric Clapton, who is apparently a 50+ bicyclist.

Thank you, Eric, for turning me on to Robert Johnson.

Nope, I'm just an old harmonica player who loves to hear a good guitarist. I think I've seen Clapton in concert about 7 times over the years. I learned about the blues from Clapton and all the other "British Invasion" musicians. I guess I'm most thankful to Clapton for telling me about Muddy Waters. That's as good as it gets for me.

"Well I may be getting old
But I've got young-fashioned ways" -Muddy

Hey, wasn't Big Paulie that guy in Culture Club?
Are you really trying to hurt me???

There is an amazing DVD of Cream's reunion concert in 2005 titled live at Royal Albert Hall. It was also released as a CD. It comes alive when played on a decent 5.1 system. Some reviewers that attended the concert wrote that the sound is better on the DVD than it was live. Must have for any Cream/Clapton fans.

The "Clapton is God" slogan, (See post #13.) appeared in the form of graffitti all over London immediatly following Cream's first concert. I do remeber that much first hand.

Actually, the "Clapton is God" graffiti was showing up well before Cream was formed. I believe it was when Clapton was performing with John Mayall. Prior to Cream, Eric was the lead guitarist with John Mayall's Blues Breakers. Back in the mid-60's that album (Powerhouse), plus the first Paul Butterfield Blues Band album featuring Michael Bloomfield, were about the most influential guitar albums out, and people would play them REAL LOUD at parties. The first cut of the Mayall/Clapton album was "All Your Love" and I can still remember Clapton's incredible guitar riff, just like I can still remember Bloomfield's aggressive attack in "Born in Chicago." Mayall, though not really that good of a blues interpreter (except for his Mose Allison impersonation), had a long succession of brilliant lead guitars including Peter Green (who went on to form Fleetwood Mac) and Mick Taylor (who went on to join the Stones). I believe Clapton also played with the original Yardbirds in the days before Beck and Page, and I remember borrowing an album of Sonny Boy Williamson live in London with the Yardbirds, and the cover picture had Jeff Beck in it, but the playing was actually Clapton. If you can find that album, you will begin to understand why his nickname was "Slowhand."

- Luis (who still owns a 1975 Gibson Les Paul Deluxe)

Mayall, though not really that good of a blues interpreter

:eek::fight:

lhbernhardt[/B] ]Prior to Cream, Eric was the lead guitarist with John Mayall's Blues Breakers. Back in the mid-60's that album (Powerhouse)...

No, the album was known as "The Beano Album"... I think the actual title was eponymous.
Powerhouse was something altogether different.

No, the album was known as "The Beano Album"... I think the actual title was eponymous.
Powerhouse was something altogether different.

Powerhouse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Clapton's_Powerhouse)

Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluesbreakers_with_Eric_Clapton)

cover (http://glen.utdallas.edu/Glen/CDs/John%20Mayall%20And%20The%20Bluesbreakers.jpg)

"Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton is a 1966 electric blues album by John Mayall's Bluesbreakers featuring Eric Clapton as lead guitarist. It is often referred to as The Beano album because the photograph on the album cover shows Clapton reading The Beano, a well-known British children's comic.

Apart from being one of the most overall influential albums in blues-rock history, it was likely the first time anyone had heard a Gibson Les Paul guitar through an overdriven Marshall amplifier"

So, uh, did Les Paul or John Mayall ever ride a bike?

So, uh, did Les Paul or John Mayall ever ride a bike?

In 1869, an Englishman named John Mayall put two wheels and two cities together and completed a ride from London to Brighton in one day. The distance covered was 53 miles and the precedent was set that the velocipede (what bicycles were called in the mid 1800’s) was a serious and practical road vehicle. (http://www.bikeguyblog.com/?p=14)

+1 to the whole thread. Brings back a bunch of memories. I went to a Blind Faith concert outside of Milwaukee back in the day - unfortunately I don't remember much of that at all :-)

Great story. Is it true that Clapton was doping?

Clapton + Drugs = "Layla"

Clapton + No Drugs = "You Look Wonderful Tonight"

You do the math.

Clapton + Drugs = "Layla"

Clapton + No Drugs = "You Look Wonderful Tonight"

You do the math.

Best argument in favor of doping that I've heard. ;)

Refresh my memory...who was the fantastic left handed guitar player who played with John Mayall's Blues Breakers?

wonder if he found a place to place his cigarette like he did on the guitar...

Refresh my memory...who was the fantastic left handed guitar player who played with John Mayall's Blues Breakers?

That would be Tiny Tim...

Refresh my memory...who was the fantastic left handed guitar player who played with John Mayall's Blues Breakers?

Coco Montoya. I saw Mayall once when Montoya and Walter Trout were both playing in the band. Amazing!