Eric Clapton BBC Documentary [1987]

1987 BBC Documentary on Eric Clapton
Argueably the best doco ever made about one of the best guitarists of all time.
I do not own the rights to any of the content herein, just thought a decent copy should be up here for all to enjoy

[@tonywilkes7809]

It's always sad to read the negative crap on these pages about how Clapton and other blues artists ripped off the old black guys. Truth is the new guys actually resurected the careers of the old guys and allowed them to be respected in the country that mostly ignored them.

[@ThrashRoC]

+Tony Wilkes + ALL the Black Guitar Kings Including BB King are WELL Respecting Claptons Music and all those dumb People who discredit him Have NO Idea about it . I sAY Clapton is a Phantastic Musician ,Who was inspired by all these Blues Masters , Now He is one of Them ! I Also love his more Simple Songs when im driving with my Wife , because his Singing is also very cool in a special way . Eric Clapton , ThankYou for The Music !!

[@plumstreetmusic]

+Tony Wilkes I agree with you. I only discovered Robert Johnson after listening to fresh cream. Also, saw and interview with BB King about when he was watching TV and Clapton told an interviewer that the muswician that he would most like to perform with was BB. BB said he was floored. This led to their Riding with the King project--one of my favorite albums!

[@privateprivate4378]

This absolutely true and well stated. Clapton frequently honored his heroes such as when he helped to record and play on the record "Howling Wolf, The London Sessions."

[@rickstraws92]

The fans, publications and the media are the problem. Not Clapton. He always loved and appreciated the originators out loud.

[@jonathanhines2441]

It is, in fact, extremely racist to presume that only someone of a certain skin color can legitimately play ANY type of music. LOTS of times these days the most racist people are those calling everyone else racist.

[@davidmellish3295]

Can't believe this is 36 years ago

[@shable1436]

Eric has been 36 years sober, ironic huh

[@jdfolbre]

Thank you Sir Eric for introducing me to the power of the Blues!

[@jdfolbre]

Wasn't Jack Bruce handy on that bass guitar! He was certainly one of a kind.

[@jeanmarieboucherit7376]

Cream unwittingly gave birth to heavy métal which Éric never forgave himself for.

[@mikekaylor1226]

The greatest and best Blues/Rock guitarist of all time! His influence is massive.

[@TelecasterLPGTop]

His grandmother Rose was a real sweetheart, she was a real support for him.

[@laylaandgigi8611]

This is byfar the best Eric Clapton documentary!! I love him and all he's created. I cannot wait to see him in September.

[@edenshaw9004]

gonna be seeing him a royal Albert hall next year

[@Ben-to8vt]

How was the show?

[@davidrice3337]

Bet it was a good one - I've never seen him

[@kathif17]

I forgot to add thank you for sharing my first experience was Cream went backwards to John Mayhall and the Blues Breakers. I started at 8 years old and so glad my older brother turned me on to REAL music.

[@michaelhirstny]

His solo tone is insane.

[@danmunster7665]

That was awesome to see his grandmother tell her love for the blues he plays .

[@Tommylawrence09]

This was not a BBC documentary. This was The interview he did for the Southbank show which was broadcast on ITV.

[@jeanmarieboucherit7376]

First Time I hear him Tallinn about social classes. No wonder hé was friends with Harrison. I don’t agree about 10 cc though.

[@AshAlmond1]

Eric is one of the living legends in blues and rock and roll.

[@sarablack5305]

Takes me back 60s n 70s Cream Dominos n ALL. Clapton is king of guitar

[@jarablue]

Yes he is.

[@Jason-nk6yd]

I love Clapton he’s #2 on my all time list… nobody imo comes close to what srv did with a guitar

[@soundofwinter]

@@Jason-nk6ydEdward Van Halen

[@beverlyjohnson5503]

Beautiful photo of you my Eric Patrick Clapton ❤️ 💙

[@ursulabornhauser1091]

Great show😊love you eric😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@flynntaylor5459]

Clapton for all he has created .... so humble. Like its no big deal 😂 thsts why i dig him🎉😂

[@SotonCueMan]

This is The South Bank Show, not BBC but was from ITV. I remember watching it when broadcast back in 1987 while I was in university. Recorded it on my Betamax video and watched it over and over!

[@davidallen346]

I used to have this on VHS 📼 and watch it religiously from time to time

[@MrSniganoo]

Ditto.

[@prathameshbhambure]

Eric's life is filled with great lessons to learn and get inspirations from. So glad that I found his music early on and connected with it. Sure is my god!

[@MrMike-fm8bp]

The best of the best , period !

[@SpaceCattttt]

I don't know if it's the best Clapton documentary ever made or not, but it's the best one I've seen! And I'm glad that it was made in 1987, since I happen to think that Eric's playing was at its peak between 1985-92. I mean, his best songs came earlier, but his best solo-playing was done during that, later period.

[@kirkjohnwiggle]

teppolundgren My Personal opinion is that Journeyman was where Clapton finally got truly sober. It is his best (save for Layla, which was love and Duane Allman inspired) album of his career. Lately I'm running on Faith, AA stuff all the way. So if that fits into your time period I am really sure that is the knife's blade of decision for him.

[@SpaceCattttt]

kirk johnwiggle I suppose you're right. He got sober during those years, yet, he also had years of drug and alcohol abuse behind him, so he had plenty of experience to draw on. Journeyman is probably his best 80's album, I agree, and that's why I love his 24 Nights live album, since that was sort of part of the tour he did for that album. I was at one of the Royal Albert Hall shows, by the way. And that's the best he's ever played, in my opinion.

[@SpaceCattttt]

***** Which one? Thanks, nevertheless.

[@marcelo_giangrande]

His best work I believe is Beano. With John Mayall

[@shelaghmcgee2165]

What an interesting life he's had - hard but interesting!

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Eric Clapton - Jimi Hendrix - Robin Trower . 🎸🎸🎸✨✨✨ ( How many of you bought a Fender Stratocaster because of these guys ? )

[@scottharrison9083]

No surprise that he and George were best friends, two genuine and authentic artists.

[@tamellison2334]

He is truly a very gifted man 😇😇😇😇😇

[@ursulabornhauser1091]

Eric the love of my life😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@AmleahMusic]

i love this video..especially when they are playing the chorus of Take A Chance ....clapton always sheds his emotion and thoughts through all his obscure songs the most i think.

[@mayemcdonald4392]

This video taught me much more about my favorite singer-musician-performer. I like his term "Musicologist" for the length or spans of time where he states he was absorbing ideas from other musicians around him. I think these times must have also helped him to hone in on his voice....it just gets better and better. Thank you for sharing this precious videos with the public....Eric is really a humble man and somewhat of a loner but in a healthy way......I feel free too. It may be an Aries thing? Peace.

[@AlwaysknowsMe]

May we all rest in our Eternal Mothers Holy love and embrace.

[@andrewriley9988]

Eric is just class .

[@ovidiulupu8484]

Eric Clapton was here?no ,Eric is all the time with us!we love his music!

[@kirkjohnwiggle]

A great story of musical genius and how he made the world make sense to himself and those all around. He's a guitar god for sure.

[@palmyrah]

I bet Pete Townshend shudders every time he remembers that 'if something awful were to happen now to Eric' comment.

[@alexandrecaraccio8944]

Yeah....he really predicted the tragedy a few years after

[@shelaghmcgee2165]

An something really humble about him!

[@glynnbaker5448]

This was awesome, thank you for sharing.

[@fretboardmaster70]

Sorry folks, It is South Bank Show which was aired on UK TV Sundays on ITV and not BBC

[@davidrice3337]

I wish I could meet Eric Clapton - I'd tell him about the conversation with Charlie Daniels - we were in complete agreement - Mr Clapton is our favorite musician/singer/songwriter - I told Charlie - "He makes it look so easy " Charlie says "That's because it is - to him ! " We both had a good laugh and a strong bond - because of horses and Eric Clapton -

[@bradparker9664]

For its time, this was a great documentary, and there are, even now, some gems in this video. I have since seen a number of other documentaries which are far more comprehensive, namely "Life in 12 Bars" and maybe "Standing at the Crossroads" would be a runner up. Nevertheless, this is definitely worth a watch.

[@YoavRabinovich]

It's so emotional, powerful and interesting.

[@ericking2511]

Thank you 🙏 for the information ❤

[@johnshields6852]

Amazing guitarist, he had so many great songs back in the 70's

[@hazor777]

That tone Clapton had in the 80's : slight buzz, just enough clarity to hear the middle pick ups....I like it better than the Fender tone he uses now....but in the end , it's all in his hands

[@ursulabornhauser1091]

I feel for you❤❤❤ the same happend to me❤❤❤❤😢😢😢😢😊😊❤❤❤❤❤

[@guitaristgary]

had this on VHS!

[@andyhamlett8814]

I have this this on video recorded at the time and it was the South Bank Show, that's why Melvyn Bragg is presenting. NOT BBC

[@brianplum6690]

being there when Clapton was there goes a long way to understanding the influence he had on us, the change of direction he made to me it was all part of growing, without which there is stagnance

[@CatherineSTodd]

Thanks for posting... this is terrific!

[@ViAndareKV]

humble man!

[@bosanjable]

thanks for sharing this, watched this at the time it aired in the 80's in my very early teens, he's still the best for me hendrix, Richards, Page & other guitarists may have reached cult status in pop culture but no one plays like him

[@SpaceCattttt]

I play exactly like him. But I'm not famous, so who cares? ;)

[@PaulZedd]

Gary Moore could emulate Clapton's style superbly, some of the playing on the Bruce Baker Moore album is very reminiscent of Eric

[@SpaceCattttt]

mojogoat Clapton's style is very easy to emulate, but his feel is not. It's kind of unique, which is why he's so respected.

[@PaulZedd]

teppolundgren Maybe I shouldn't have used the word "emulate" :) Both players were world-class. Eric's playing was a tremendous influence on Gary, probably why Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker got him to play on their album. It's a pity that Gary wasn't alive to hear Eric cover his "Still got the blues" at the Albert Hall.

[@SpaceCattttt]

mojogoat Well, there's a subtle difference between "emulate" and "imitate". But who cares! Anyway, I didn't know Clapps played Still Got the Blues! I'll have to check that out, if there's a recording available somewhere.

[@LaylaClapstuhl]

It`s great, many thanks for sharing!

[@rosecarey8522]

That man is beautiful

[@kathif17]

All the Clapton nay sayers don't have to listen to the best musican period ❤Forever Fan ❤

[@alexandrecaraccio8944]

Great doc o remember watching It on a vhs when I became a huge fan. Love his music.

[@MrMaxDesBois]

:D cant even think of Clapton in Canada but those blues songs are probably his signature in all aspets of rock overall

[@jasperhaze8309]

I love this man so much, the road he took gave all of us the best guitarist of all time. Eric you are amazing!

[@ursulabornhauser1091]

Sweetness good day😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@scottharrison9083]

He was the reason Hendrix came to England

[@Zootallures100]

Great documentary. Thanks for upload it ❤

[@wayneblanchard97]

A few vicious comments below knock Mr. Clapton for 'ripping off' the bluesmen and for somehow being unworthy of his stature. Despite my first album (in '65) being 'Five Live Yardbirds' and loving much of what he has done (notably Mayall, Cream, Delaney & Bonnie...) I'm no fan of Eric's playing. Still, as a musician his integrity is undeniable. And unlike, say, Led Zeppelin, Clapton always gave credit where it was due. I recall reading how royalties from Cream's version of 'I'm So Glad' were paying to keep composer Skip James's alive in hospital. Indeed, he has done so, so much to bring the blues to the fore and ensure its originators were recognised and rewarded. When Clapton does well, so do those who wrote and published the original versions of those blues tunes. Meanwhile, long after making Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy and many others household names and even powering the concept of all the blues festivals that have arisen around the world - not to mention inspiring the likes of Duane Allman, Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Mayer... - Eric Clapton still represents the blues a a musical art form worthy of the world's attention and respect. True, his own personal indulgences have distracted from and even overshadowed the reality. But as history has already confirmed, anyone who dares to criticise Eric Clapton on the basis of their own subjective perspective has obviously missed much of the story that has made him possibly the single most important player in the survival of the blues.

[@bluesdog88]

+Wayne Blanchard I think he single handedly revived Muddy Waters career

[@wayneblanchard97]

+Brett Morgan - I would agree, Brett. Though the Clapton-era Yardbirds were essentially a blues covers band, it wasn't until the 'John Mayall - Eric Clapton: Blues Breakers' album that Clapton really had the opportunity to bring the blues to the fore with such effectiveness that today, 50 years later, that album is still cited a one of the most influential of all. And though there are no Muddy Waters tunes on it (Freddy King scored there), it brought the blues to the forefront, setting up a scenario where not only Mayall, but Cream (2 ex-Mayall members), Fleetwood Mac (3 ex-Mayall members, Colosseum (3 ex-Mayall members) and others could base their careers on American blues. I suppose that in real terms the Stones, who name and several cover tunes came from Muddy Waters, did the most to ensure the man rise in popularity. Johnny Winter was also a big promoter of Muddy's (real name: McKinley Morganfield), producing his comeback albums in the 80s.

[@nigeh5326]

The South Bank Show used to be on around 10 pm on a Sunday night on ITV1

[@markspunders4832]

461 oceans boulevard. Melvin bragg great interview, loved the give me strength part with his grandmother

[@fractalnomics]

Yes, I wondered if that was Melvin. He may be (in my mind) more of a legend.

[@FrankieParadiso4evah]

Such a beatific smile on Eric Clapton's face ...[15:09]

[@MsLilyhorse]

Cream was his best period. Bruce especially, and Baker too, made him a much better player.

[@scottharrison9083]

The great Bruce. Stings idol

[@debracole6587]

Fab music. Miss that era.

[@ursulabornhauser1091]

Revive

[@maximilianoflores560]

Love it. He is the best, forever and ever

[@flynntaylor5459]

I think the newer generations need introducing to his mudic to fully appreciate it. Todays music is so mechanical lacks the passion soul and humanness of this era.

[@kentbeery4941]

Been looking for this one

[@judgefredd1943]

Best EC docu

[@sabrinapineda6824]

Awe Eric's Mama😢 She would be so Proud of him 😢

[@Gerard_2024]

Not a BBC documentary. This appeared on Melvyn Bragg's Southbank Show, which was an ITV production.

[@andyhamlett8814]

This was The South Bank show not the BBC.

[@Jesuswinsbirdofmichigan]

"One second @ A.A. time✝️

[@ursulabornhauser1091]

Me musi made me blind😢😢 but music make me tevive😊😊❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@JuanGregorGuitar-nn6pw]

This wasnt a “BBC Documentary” it was, in fact, an episode of ‘The South Bank Show’ from November / December ‘87….I too have a vhs of it somewhere….

[@Ben-to8vt]

6:38 I recognize that song. Derek & The Dominos! Finally some footage.

[@flynntaylor5459]

Stigwood????? From saturday night fever???? Omg that huy gets around 😅

[@raindogtom]

thats right...it's just a "feelin" ;) - lbtb

[@sabrinapineda6824]

He looks like his mama❤

[@ahmedfallah]

nice

[@INDLIS]

Four Until Late

[@qrcodmacke9864]

What a MOTHER.

[@bluesmaster9896]

Clapton's a saint .

[@RhiannonFan]

I'm a huge Eric Clapton fan; but he's no saint, and I'm sure he would agree. Like most of us, he's done some bad things in his life, which I'm sure he regrets. And isn't that all part of the blues?

[@bluesmaster9896]

@@RhiannonFan Of course , I was being flippant . He's brought a lot of joy though .

[@therugburnz]

26:37 if Phil is your drummer you don't suck.

[@flynntaylor5459]

Oh i forgot its 6... john mayall and the blues breakers

[@enchization]

very fluid ... i bet physics cant explain that. Reynolds numbers dont apply to this Genius !

[@maximilianoflores560]

Does anyone know if it exist a full version of the intro video of Eric playing When did you leave heaven? I´ll be deeply grateful.

[@laylalinquinto6600]

Blocked what a bummer !

[@GrumpyOldMan9]

When people still could make a fortune playing the guitar

[@precbsfender]

Today's button pushing so called "Musicians" have flooded the music business with pre fabricated computerized crap! Back in the day's of early Hendrix,Clapton Page,Gilmore they had to be so very good at what they did, then they had prove it nightly on there instrument's with pure innovated talent.Today you can rhyme street slang to a basic drum beat and people call it music! The art of arranging tones with a instument in an orderly sequence as to produce a unified and continuous composition are gone!

[@thebiglewbowski]

PRE CBS STRATOCASTER'S shame you can't appreciate wider forms of music.

[@precbsfender]

I love all REAL music! and I specially appreciate music made by true musicians who have worked hard and have earned there musical rinforzando!

[@kirkjohnwiggle]

Clapton has NEVER missed a note. How many bar bands can say the same thing? The best rise to the top and he did that at about 18 years old and has stayed there ever since. Pretty moronic comment Mr. Senseless in the Tavern boy.

[@precbsfender]

kirk johnwiggle Agreed! Clapton is a blues legend and Eric has also broken down musical boundary's that other musicians can only dream about!

[@mister.costello]

I think Claptons grandmother says it all, I don't like wonderful tonight, but I think it's all about his ability to overcome what's expected of him. Who gives a shit what you are expected to do? Worried life blues, ha brilliant rendition, who can do it better?

[@ChromaticHarp]

I HATE wonderful tonite and other awful dreck like Lay down sally.

[@carolynwilson2206]

I think wonderful tonight is probably much more appreciated by women than men. I really like it. It's really a lovely romantic song, without being sappy. It makes a sweet scene in just the right words. More for ladies to enjoy, I think

[@user-ty8hg9mw3v]

i do wish the best in the world, if they happen to British, can be proud of that and of their country if it needs defending. But, he does not.

[@revamp777]

There have been various cases in the past, and for some strange reason, 1976 was a year of political controversy among numerous rock stars, with a number of political outbursts tending to take shape in the form of fascist comments. It was around the time when David Bowie rolled his ghostly ‘Thin White Duke’ character out from his seminal amnesiac Station to Station album. During an interview with a Swedish newspaper, Bowie uttered the regrettable words, “I believe Britain could benefit from a fascist leader”. In addition, Bowie was also seen allegedly doing the Nazi salute from a car model that Hitler drove as well, something he denied but still followed him around for years after. In the same year, 1976, British Conservative MP Enoch Powell’s anti-multicultural views had taken a stranglehold on swathes of the country. His disturbing rhetoric of anti-immigration policies and fierce nationalism struck a chord with a generation sick of the abject poverty around them. But while many found themselves being drawn to the incendiary but inclusive genre of punk and all it had to offer, others were proving themselves to be out of touch with reality. During a concert in that same year, a drunken Eric Clapton slurred his way through a rant about “dark-skinned immigrants” and, in giving credence to the politician’s rhetoric, suggested that Powell was correct in his flagrantly fascist and downright disgusting stance. You may be thinking, how bad could Eric Clapton’s comments really have been? Well, pretty terrible indeed. But what did Eric Clapton actually say? In August 1976, Clapton took the stage at the Birmingham Odeon in England, a venue packed with fans eager to bask in the magic of his music. What unfolded that night, however, was a shocking tirade that revealed a much darker side of a man they once dubbed “God”. In a pause during his performance, Clapton launched into a racist diatribe that left the audience and the music world aghast. “Stop Britain from becoming a black colony. Get the foreigners out,” exclaimed Clapton to his captive audience. “Get the w*gs out. Get the c**ns out. Keep Britain white,” he added.

[@flynntaylor5459]

Whats the stretch of chapton s reach??? Was it 5 bands Yardbirds cream blind faith derrick and the domino's and his own band too.😅❤

[@alexdelargesupertramp]

Not a patch of the fella from The Feeling. Greatest band since Zeppelin.

[@frankbonarrigo6086]

Did Townsend just dismiss Jeff Beck and Page?

[@sabrinapineda6824]

He went through hell

[@ChristopherLightfoot-zu3kb]

South Bank Show was ITV not BBC.

[@gazl87]

41:38 Yes

[@jaywyatt3584]

Not BBC - LONDON WEEKEND, The South Bank Show

[@Colstonewall]

I'll bet Jack Bruce will NEVER criticize Zeppelin again. At least not publicly. Unless he liked all those death threats, LOL.

[@MrStargunburst]

Whats the song right at the start?