33 years ago today, Eric Clapton stepped onstage, picked up his guitar and recorded his album Unplugged, in front of an audience for the MTV Unplugged series. Little did he know it would become the best selling live album of all time.
It’s difficult to say which track merits the most praise. His 1992 single “Tears in Heaven”, written in memory of his 4-year old son Conor, who died after falling off a balcony is nothing less than tear inducing. His relaxed, yet seductive, rendition of all-time favorite “Layla ” also brought back fond memories of his years with Derek and the Dominoes. His soulful, melancholic tracks “Malted Milk” reminds the audience of his bluesy roots, while his upbeat “San Francisco Bay” was remains impossible not to clap along to. “Old Love” oozes nostalgia, while “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” is hands down the best cover of the original 1929 song.
The album was released on 25 August 1992 to some of the best reviews of Clapton’s career. He went on to be nominated for nine Grammy Awards at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards in 1993 of which he won six, including Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male, Best Rock Vocal Performance – Male, and Best Rock Song.
Eric Clapton cradles seven Grammies at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Ca., Wednesday night, Feb. 24, 1993. Clapton’s honors include record and song of the year for “Tears in Heaven” and album of the year for “Unplugged.” (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)
Unplugged also sold 26 million copies worldwide and topped the Billboard 200 chart.
Apart from its exceptional acoustic renditions, Unplugged is infused with the unpolished beauty of a live performance. From small mishaps, like the occasional finger slip or vocal hesitation, to Clapton’s humorous interjections between songs and the audience’s reactions to various tunes makes the album feel more intimate and vivid.
The Man the Myth the Legend
Clapton spent his life chasing music, evident in his features on several other bands’ projects aside from his solo works. A young Clapton got his start with Yardbirds in the ‘60s, often hopping back and forth between doing gigs with Cream and Blind Faith, where he met his new performance partners, Delaney and Bonnie.
After touring with Blind Faith, Clapton began working as a sideman on tour with Delaney and Bonnie, during which he took a day to go perform with John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band (a show which was later released as Live Peace in Toronto 1969). When touring with Delaney and Bonnie finished, Clapton was determined to release his own solo album.
He debuted his first solo album, Eric Clapton, in March, 1970. By October, he’d already recorded four more albums.
Between ‘71 and ‘72, Clapton experienced a steep decline, suffering from a heroin addiction as he navigated the challenges of fame. Upon recovering from his addiction in ‘74, he published the smash hit “I shot the Sheriff” and began publicly dating his previously secret lover, Pattie Boyd, who happened to be the then-wife of his best friend, George Harrison. However, the scandal did not destroy Clapton and Harrison’s friendship. In fact, they went on to collaborate on multiple projects together, according to Far Out Magazine.
Clapton’s extraordinary discography precedes him. Not only did he create a successful career for himself, but he was a sought-after feature by some of the greatest music legends, including Paul McCartney, The Who, Jimmy Page, Bob Dylan, Kate Bush, Sting and Carlos Santana.
