European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - May 6, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse Clapton my me just gets Man bizarro All tile a photo living on the Edge Eric Clapton has the blues by Mark Fritz associated press Eric Clapton sits m a Hole suite High above downtown Detroit sipping pc Mercator and speculating about i m s such an old platitude bul it s he said i d like to meet someone who knows How to play Tho blues and live a Happy we. An artist has of put himself in the position of real crisis to produce. I Don t think he Means to do it no one wants to live on the Edge " Tho Edge has been a familiar place Tor the enigmatic Clapton. The revered guitar virtuoso who blazed pop trails in the 196ck Tad his Rock idol image in the 70s and now seeks to mesh Man and myth with music in the 80s. The Day Afler a sol re Oul show at Detroit s Joe Louis Arena. Clapton looked healthy and neatly trimmed gaze steady and penetrating he s More comfortable now wild his role As Rock icon. Bul at age 42. The Sto my personal Lile that has always been the soul of his kaleidoscopic career still produces ample inspiration. My Lilc just qts More bizarre All the to said ii does i Ever seem to sell la Down " Clapton wrapped up a 12-cily tour through America on april 27 his candid and controversial authorized biography by journalist Ray Coleman went on Sale in the ruled slates last year his latest Alburn. August was produced by Phil Collins and certified Gold in april normally reticent. Clapton s giving More interviews now than Ever before wednesday May 6, 1987 talking frankly Ghoul ago drugs co Ian adulation and a 24-year career that has ranged from Rhy Lerv. Nanct blues to psychedelic Rock to reggae to Bluesy contemporary guitar based pop but Clapton feels inc myi Tinno slipping a Bil he plans logo underground Tor Trio summer to steer dear of Tho Public Eye and do a Little fishing i m Starling to finl a Lilloo bit to said this is out of my Normal Callot truly i like to keep a Low profile " Clapton. Who a i re the Yar Birds in i9g3 tin Causo the British hand was concentrating Loo much an Hil singles admits he s not immune to commercialism these Days h it s gotten to the Peinl now where i cannot actually live on live performances and do i month Tours and a Nan Money that he said i us invt n t go the Energy and Para that i used to have so i need to make some Money from the records. My attitude from the old clays was. Sorry ii they re not soiling on Merit then i Don i Caro because i m going logo out on the Road and make my Money that Way now i have to really to conscious about trying to make records thai will sell and also preserve some of my integrity at the same Limo " superstar trauma was t a worry when Clapton born in 1945 in Surrey England and raised by the parents of his unwed Mother began leaching himself guitar in his Early teens he formed his first band Iho roosters in 1963 and played rhythm and blues Al a time when others were emulating Tho Bolles he joined the Yar Birds that year played on two albums and quit he joined John Mayall s blues Breakers. And what followed was Iho beginning of Clapton s Vii Lual deification. The group played puns rhythm and blues and Clapton s soaring screaming Stream of consciousness solos triggered a cult following i think the clearest and cleanest period of my life was when i was with John Mayall because i was really positive about what i wanted to Clapton said. I was absolutely deadly serious to Tho Point of being really Boring it was the most dedicated i have Over been even in 1966. He formed Cream Wilh Baso isl Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker their improve Lional meltdown of Rock blues and jazz made Ihm gurus of progressive Rock. Cream broke up in 1968, Clapton formed Blind fail i and Ihen Marie n Solo album thai produced the hit after my Ninfi allure numerous other associations to Ihen created one of inc finest Rock records of Iho Era. and other asserted love songs was the Only studio record Cut by Lim i t drool. And the dominoes bul Many consider the 1970 record to be Clapton s Masterwork a selection of tunes that rippled Wilh pain the title track was an apocalyptic plaint of unrequited love a song Hal grew from his affair Wilh Patti Boyd. Then wife of former Boatle and Clapton Friend George Harrison ii was a musical Zenith but a Persona Low. It marked Tho beginning of Clapton s addiction to heroin and a growing rejection of the guitar hero image. Clapton kicked heroin in 1974. Released 461 Ocean Boulevard a More Laid Back up that featured the reggae hit i shot the sheriff and married Boyd in 1979. Wave separated at the moment but we re still very Multi in love he said. The shame of it All is that everyone looked on it As being the perfect Romance. We had to live up to this kind of illusion. Trio Strain got so bad three or four years ago that we both Clapton became More of a Guilar anti hero during the period varying his styles and Loning Down the pyrotechnics. The results often were disappointing to fans of his sizzling Guilar work though he s still fond of his mid 70s music i deliberately tried to Lay Back and i employed a Tot of guitar players and gave them a of of inc meal. I just wanted to be a member of a band he said this superstar thing can to very lonely people Pul you on a Pedestal even members of you own Clapton s a Wesl band featured Collins on Drums. Greg Phillinganes on keyboards and Nathan Easl on Bass. It was the smallest group Vilh which Clapton has worked in years curiously Many of Ihu artists who enjoyed their initial popularity 20 years ago Are experiencing resurgent careers Clapton does t mind being grouped with such rediscovered stars As John Ogerly and grammy Winner Stevie wino oct but in s nol exactly a comeback if you be never sell. The stars and stripes Paga 17
