The debate over the greatest guitarist of all time will never be settled. As long as rock ‘n’ roll exists, fans will argue over technical prowess, innovation, and influence. One name that always enters the conversation, though, is Eric Clapton. More than just a skilled guitarist, Clapton helped shape modern rock by blending blues, rockabilly, and electric guitar techniques into something entirely new.
His impact didn’t go unnoticed. E Street Band guitarist Steve Van Zandt once declared, “Eric Clapton is the most important and influential guitar player that has ever lived, is still living or ever will live. Before Clapton, rock guitar was the Chuck Berry method, modernised by Keith Richards, and the rockabilly sound—Scotty Moore, Carl Perkins, Cliff Gallup—popularised by George Harrison.”
Clapton took those influences and transformed them, infusing rock with the raw power of blues legends like Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin, and the three Kings—B.B., Albert, and Freddie. His signature lead guitar style became the gold standard for generations to come.
Even The Beatles recognized his talent. When George Harrison struggled to get While My Guitar Gently Weeps taken seriously by his bandmates, he called in Clapton to record the lead guitar—instantly commanding their attention and elevating the track.
But despite his legendary skill, even Clapton admitted there were blues songs that gave him trouble. Two tracks in particular stood out as the hardest to cover.
“‘Last Fair Deal Gone Down’ was probably the hardest to do. It’s just plain weird. And as far as the lyrics go—one verse is almost complete gibberish,” he explained.
He also struggled with Hellhound on My Trail, saying, “It was hard too, but I think we did a good job on it. I had to enlist the other guys in the band to help me figure out the parts and how to count them. Our drummer, Steve Gadd, really helped me crack that song.”
Even for a guitarist of Clapton’s caliber, the blues still had its mysteries—proof that no matter how great you are, there’s always another challenge waiting.
