The Blues Of Clapton

Eric Clapton's journey with the Blues began in 1962, after listening to Freddie King, BB King, Muddy Waters and Buddy Guy. Eric asked his Grandparents for help in purchasing a double cutaway Kay electric guitar and the rest is history. His first group was The Roosters, followed by Casey Jones and the Engineers, then back to secular work. However, in 1963, the Yardbirds were formed and young Eric was all of a sudden making records ."For Your Love" was his first commercially sucessful song recorded. In 1965 John Mayall invited him to be the lead guitarist of his group; John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Blues was Clapton's bread & butter and his guitar work hit its stride during those years. Cream, Blind Faith, Delaney & Bonnie, Derek and the Dominoes followed and all became part of his resume. He returned to his roots again in 1994 with the critically acclaimed album: "From The Cradle". Eric's music has proved to be timeless. It stands up to the test of time. Well into his sixties, Eric continues to amaze listeners with his musical genius, all steeped in the blues.

A Visit to the House Of Blues

Since their inception in the 80's, there is a common thread that runs through every House of Blue That is the ART that is indigenous to the Blues. Sort of raw and folksy, with some New Orleans influence, nearly every restaurant and club gives you that ambiance. The HOB of Orlando located  in the Downtown Disney area is no exception. I happened to be over with my trusty Nikon a few weeks ago. Enjoy this documented visit to the House of Blues.

Hendrix Art

Hubert Sumlin

Hubert Sumlin put the bite behind Howlin' Wolf.
And he then influenced a new pack of electric blues and rock guitarists.
Mr. Sumlin died Sunday in a hospital in Wayne, N.J., reportedly of heart failure. He had turned 80 on Nov. 16. Mr. Sumlin was best known as lead guitarist for Howlin' Wolf (Chester Burnett) from 1953 until Wolf's death in 1976.
This was no small feat. The combustible guitar parts in Wolf's big-voiced tracks — "Smokestack Lightning," "Spoonful," "Ain't Superstitious" — set Wolf on fire at Sun Records in Memphis and later at Chess Records in Chicago.
The 1953 summit of Mr. Sumlin and Wolf was to blues what the meeting of Scotty Moore and Elvis Presley was to rock just a year later.
In the current issue of Rolling Stone, Mr. Sumlin is ranked 43rd on the magazine's list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.