He is one of the most recognizable guitarists of his generation, and he isn’t without his inspirations. Eric Clapton has hailed a few other guitar players through the years as the best of the best, and also named a few of his personal top players. Let’s take a look at just three guitar players that Eric Clapton has said are his favorites! One of these might surprise you; the others certainly won’t surprise you at all if you’ve ever heard them play.
1. Albert Lee
When it comes to guitar players Eric Clapton loved, this musician is one of the greatest of all time. Albert Lee isn’t a steady part of any well-known band. Rather, he’s a guitarist who has worked in studios and as a session/tour guitarist for a number of famous bands. He has enjoyed a successful solo career and is also quite a talented composer. According to Clapton, nobody is better than Lee.
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“He’s the greatest guitarist in the world,” said Clapton of Lee. “The ultimate virtuoso. His skill is extraordinary, his ear is extraordinary and he’s gifted on just about every level.”
2. John Mayer
We have to admit, Eric Clapton naming John Mayer as one of his favorite guitar players is a little bit surprising. Not to dunk on Mayer or anything, but he wasn’t exactly shredding during Clapton’s heyday. The age difference is a bit surprising, but Clapton had kind words to say of his much younger contemporary as a guitarist: Namely that Mayer is a “master” guitarist and “extremely gifted”. He also featured him on the album Eric Clapton & Friends.
3. Jimi Hendrix
This name on our list of guitar players Eric Clapton said he loved the most is far from surprising. Many would call him the ultimate guitar god of the 1960s. Clapton has spoken often about his respect for Jimi Hendrix, both as a dear friend and as a contemporary. Clapton’s band Cream offered Hendrix his first gig in London back in the day, too.
“Pete Townshend [of The Who] and I went to see him [Hendrix] play,” Clapton once said. “I thought that was it, the game was up for all of us, we may as well pack it in.”
Photo by Carl Studna / Warner Records
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