However, when he saw them live, suddenly, everything made sense, and the hype that surrounded them was a genuine environment of excitement. Yet, despite the group winning him over, Clapton still referred to the experience as “odd”. (Farout)
Clapton grew close to the Fab Four towards the end of the decade and appeared on their track ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps‘ after his close friend, George Harrison, brought him into their inner circle. Additionally, after Harrison briefly walked out on the group, John Lennon even discussed the possibility of ‘Slowhand’ becoming a Beatle.
Later in the year, George introduced another White Album song that he had written for Clapton. That was “Savoy Truffle,” which had George teasing Clapton for his sweet tooth (and the dental work it had forced Clapton to get).
“I saw The Beatles play at the Hammersmith Odeon when I was at the bottom of the bill in The Yardbirds,” Clapton recalled. “This band was like they were a single person. It was an odd phenomenon, in fact. They seemed to move together and think together. It was almost like a little family unit.”
The slickness of the group on-stage took Clapton aback, and he admitted that ever before seeing them live, he “was very, very suspicious about what they were up to.” However, Clapton had to admit he was the one in the wrong and reevaluated his opinion. He continued: “But when I saw them play, I was overwhelmed by their gift. Each one of them seemed to be very well endowed with their own musical capacity.
With a guitar slowhand has no fear. But it’s another thing entirely when has to sing. Clapton recently told: “It all sounds like I’m 16 years old from Surbiton. I do my best to try and feel it.
You know, when I watch Ray Charles sing, I think, That’s it, that’s how it’s done.’ He remembers thousands of songs and he sings them all as if they’re the most important song he knows. He does it from the bottom of his heart, every time, every song. And that’s, that’s the inspiration. That’s my influence. But I’m imbued with so much self-doubt about my singing, that it’s very difficult for me to get to that freedom that those kinds of singers have.”
