While playing as a duo with fellow blues enthusiast David Brock in the pubs around Surrey, England, Eric was introduced to Tom McGuinness in January 1963. McGuinness was seeking a guitarist for his band, THE ROOSTERS. Eric signed on, but the band split up in August 1963.
While hanging out at the Scene Club in London, Eric was approached by Ray Stock, the drummer for CASEY JONES AND THE ENGINEERS, which was fronted by Liverpudlian, Brian Casser. Casser was a contemporary of The Beatles and had worked previously with Cass And The Casanovas in that city. The Engineers needed two guitarists so he and Tom McGuinness both joined. Eric left after a mere seven performances. The pop orientation of the band ran counter to his blues leanings, but the gigs helped pay the bills and was happy to gain touring experience.
Eric’s first taste of international recognition came when he was asked to replace Anthony “Top” Topham as the lead guitarist for THE YARDBIRDS in October 1963. The Yardbirds developed a loyal following and released several singles and a live debut album, “Five Live Yardbirds” during his tenure. While recording of the band’s first single “For Your Love”, he realized his days with the band were numbered as they were headed towards making more commercial music. The flip side of that single, “Got To Hurry”, was ERic’s first recorded composition (although it was credited to “O. Rasputin” which was a nom de plume of the band’s manager, Giorgio Gomelsky).
While spending some time with Ben Palmer (a friend from his Rooster days) at his home in Oxford, Eric was asked to join JOHN MAYALL’S BLUES BREAKERS in April 1965. He played alongside John McVie, who would go on to be a founding member of Fleetwood Mac. By August, Eric was restless and the left the band to join a group of friends as THE GLANDS. Their plan was to earn their way to Australia by gigging around the world. They made it as far as Greece. Upon his return to England, he rejoined Mayall’s outfit and found a new bass player — Jack Bruce. Bruce left after a short time and John McVie returned. However, in Bruce, Eric had discovered a like-minded musician as both leaned towards improvisation rather than note for note recreations of other’s material. In 1966, The Blues Breakers recorded THE British Blues Album of the 1960s, “Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton” (a.k.a. “the Beano album”). Some consider this the single most important album ever recorded by Eric Clapton.
By May of 1966, Eric was bored with imitating his blues heroes, so he jumped at drummer Ginger Baker’s offer to start a new band which would evolve into Cream. Baker was a successful jazz-oriented drummer who had worked with Acker Bilk and the Graham Bond Organisation.
During this time, Eric also sat in on a one-shot studio session as part of THE POWERHOUSE. The lineup included future Cream member Jack Bruce, future Blind Faith member Steve Winwood and Eric’s friend from his Roosters days, Ben Palmer. This studio band contributed several tracks to the Elektra sampler, What’s Shaking.
The band lineups and the dates of Eric’s participation are as follows:
THE ROOSTERS (March - October 1963)
Tom McGuinness (guitar), Eric Clapton (guitar), Terry Brennan (vocals), Ben Palmer (piano), and Robin Mason (drums)
CASEY JONES AND THE ENGINEERS (October 1963)
Eric Clapton (guitar), Brian Casser (vocals), Ray Stock (drums), Dave McCumisky (bass), and Tom McGuinness (guitar)
THE YARDBIRDS (October 1963 - March 1965)
Keith Relf (vocals/harmonica), Eric Clapton (guitar), Chris Dreja (rhythm guitar), Paul Samwell-Smith (bass), and Jim McCarty (drums)
JOHN MAYALL’S BLUES BREAKERS (April - August 1965 and November 1965 - July 1966)
John Mayall (piano/vocals/organ), Eric Clapton (guitar), John McVie (bass), and Hughie Flint (drums). Jack Bruce (bass) was a member from November to December 1965, before being replaced by the returning John McVie.
THE GLANDS (August - October 1965)
Eric Clapton (guitar), Ben Palmer (piano), Jake Milton (drums), Bernie Greenwood (sax), Bob Ray (bass), and John Bailey (vocals). This band is occasionally referred to as “The Greek Loon Band”.
THE POWERHOUSE (March 1966)
Eric Clapton (guitar), Pete York (drums), Jack Bruce (bass), Steve Winwood (vocals/organ), Paul Jones (harmonica), and Ben Palmer (piano)
