After recording “Money And Cigarettes” in 1983, Eric Clapton would not have a stable band for long periods. In late 1983, Eric joined the “ARMS Supergroup”. (ARMS is an acronym for Action Research Into Multiple Sclerosis.) The band played several dates in England and the US to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis research. Also in the band were Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Joe Cocker and Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones. Eric then joined Roger Water’s band (ex-Pink Floyd) for the recording of Waters’ album “The Pros And Cons Of Hitchhiking” (August 1983) and the subsequent 1984 tour. Eric did this against the advice of his manager and signed on as “just the guitar player”.
In 1984, Phil Collins was hired to produce Eric’s next studio album. They assembled the BEHIND THE SUN STUDIO BAND. When Warner Brothers rejected the album because it did not contain enough “hit singles”, Eric was forced back into the studio. Additional musicians were brought in. Working with the top echelon of Los Angeles session musicians, Eric recorded “Forever Man”, “See What Love Can Do”, “Something’s Happening”, and “Loving Your Lovin’ ” (unreleased until the 1992 film soundtrack “Wayne’s World”). These sessions would mark the first time Eric worked with bassist Nathan East and keyboardist Greg Phillinganes. More than wenty years later, Nathan is still an integral part of Clapton’s band! Greg was a fixture in the band for several years and has continued to work with Eric sporadically in the succeeding years.
Eric toured the world in support of “Behind The Sun”, but did not take the new studio band on the road. An incendiary four-song set at Live Aid in July 1985 boosted Eric’s popularity to new heights.
Firing his touring band in early 1986, Eric returned to the studio with Phil Collins and hired the AUGUST BAND. The studio line-up featured players from the Los Angeles “singles” sessions and for the first time since his debut solo album, a horn section. “August” would be Eric’s most commercial sounding and biggest selling album up to that time. To promote the album, Eric assembled a FOUR-PIECE BAND with Collins, East and Phillinganes and hit the road.
The band lineups and the dates of Clapton’s participation are as follows:
ARMS SUPERGROUP (September - December 1983)
Ronnie Lane (vocals), Eric Clapton (guitar/vocals), Steve Winwood (keyboards/vocals), Jimmy Page (guitar), Jeff Beck (guitar), Bill Wyman (bass), Charlie Watts (drums), Andy Fairweather-Low (guitar/vocals), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Ray Cooper (percussion), Kenney Jones (drums), James Hooker (keyboards), Fernando Sanders (bass), and Simon Phillips (drums)
ROGER WATERS / PROS And CONS OF HITCHHIKING BAND (August 1983 and May - July 1984)
STUDIO SESSION, AUGUST 1983: Roger Waters (vocals/guitar/bass), Eric Clapton (guitar), Andy Newmark (drums), Michael Kamen (keyboards), Dorren Chanter (vocals), Katie Kissoon (vocals), Andy Brown (Hammond organ), David Sanborn (sax), Raphael Ravenscroft (horns), Kevin Flanagan (horns), Vic Sullivan (horns), and Madeline Bell (vocals)
TOURING BAND 1984: Roger Waters (vocals/guitar/bass), Eric Clapton (guitar), Chris Stainton (bass/keyboards), Tim Renwick (guitar), Andy Newmark (drums), Michael Kamen (keyboards), Mel Collins (sax), Dorren Chanter (vocals), and Katie Kissoon (vocals)
BEHIND THE SUN BAND (March - December 1984)
Eric Clapton (guitar/vocals), Phil Collins (drums/percussion/vocals), Donald “Duck” Dunn (bass), Jamie Oldaker (drums), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Peter Robinson (synthesizer), Ray Cooper (percussion), Marcy Levy (vocals), and Shaun Murphy (vocals)
LOS ANGELES “SINGLES” SESSIONS (December 1984)
Eric Clapton (guitar/vocals), Nathan East (bass), Jeff Porcaro (drums), John Robinson (drums), Steve Lukather (guitar), Michael Omartian (synthesizer), Lenny Castro (congas), Ted Templeman (percussion), Marcy Levy (vocals), and Jerry Williams (vocals). Joining the band for “Something’s Happening” were Lindsey Buckingham (guitar), Greg Phillinganes (keyboards), James Newton Howard (synthesizer), and John Robinson (drums).
1985 TOUR (February-October 1985)
Eric Clapton (guitar/vocals) Jamie Oldaker (drums), Duck Dunn (bass), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Tim Renwick (guitar), Shaun Murphy (vocals), and Marcy Levy (vocals). Marcy Levy toured with the band between February and July. Laura Creamer replaced her for the October tour.
AUGUST STUDIO BAND (April - May 1986)
Eric Clapton (guitar/vocals), Greg Phillinganes (keyboard/vocals), Nathan East (bass), Phil Collins (drums/percussion/vocals), Katie Kissoon (vocals), Tessa Niles (vocals), Tina Turner (vocals), Michael Brecker (saxophone), Randy Brecker (trumpet), Jon Faddis (trumpet), and Dave Bargerone (trombone)
FOUR PIECE TOURING BAND (July 1986 - December 1987)
Eric Clapton (guitar/vocals), Phil Collins (drums), Nathan East (bass), and Greg Phillinganes (keyboards). Starting in January 1987, Steve Ferrone (drums) would begin alternating with Phil Collins.
