During a recent interview on Dee Snider’s “Shout It Out Loudcast,” guitarist Tracii Guns made waves by sharing his thoughts on Eric Clapton, suggesting the legendary guitarist might be “overrated” compared to others.
Despite Clapton’s status as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Guns argued that Jeff Beck was always the standout during their time in The Yardbirds.
“Everyone talks about Clapton, but Beck’s the guy,” Guns remarked, pointing to Clapton’s work with Cream as the peak of his career: “Cream, for me, was Clapton’s pinnacle. Dirty guitar sounds, wah-wah pedal, really going for it.”
However, after that, according to Guns, Clapton’s work didn’t live up to the same energy, whereas Jeff Beck was always pushing the envelope with innovation. “When he was in the Yardbirds, Jeff Beck had the fuzz pedal, the wah-wah pedal, and he was moving forward.”
Though Guns wasn’t trying to completely dismiss Clapton’s influence, he questioned whether Clapton deserves to be ranked alongside Beck. “Everybody’s a blues guy,” Guns said, “but you’re gonna put Clapton with Jeff Beck? In what reality?”
Guns, a devoted Yardbirds fan, made it clear that for him, Beck stood out from the British blues scene. “The Yardbirds are my second favorite band,” he shared, emphasizing how much Beck influenced both the band and his own playing style. “Clapton ain’t the guy, man. Beck’s the guy.”
The conversation also turned to another Yardbirds alumnus, Jimmy Page, and how he, too, evolved out of the group to help form Led Zeppelin.
“Page took the best of everything that came before him… Then out came this cake called Led Zeppelin,” Guns said, admiring how Page combined a variety of musical influences to create something superior. “Page has a great ear; he always knew how to take the best things and present them in a way that was sonically superior.”
While Clapton’s legacy may never be in question for many, Guns’ remarks shine a light on the differing opinions about who truly left a lasting impact on rock’s evolution. For Tracii, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page hold that honor.
