Eric Clapton first met The Beatles in December 1964 when The Yardbirds were a support act for The Beatles Christmas Show at London’s Hammersmith Odeon. Over the next several years, Eric would form an abiding friendship with George Harrison.
In 1968, Eric played on sessions for “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”. It is Eric’s most well-known guest recording session He joined The Beatles at Abbey Road to record guitar onto George Harrison’s song, “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” for the band’s double album, “The Beatles” (also known as “The White Album”).
John Lennon never made it to the studio that evening, so technically, Eric never recorded with The Beatles as a complete unit. On the finished track, it’s George on vocals / guitar, Eric on lead guitar, Paul McCartney on piano and bass (his bass parts were overdubbed later) and Ringo on drums.
On 10 January 1969, George Harrison quit The Beatles. After George left the studio, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and film director Michael Lindsey-Hogg discussed what to do if George did not return for the planned live performance. The entire conversation was recorded.
John said if “George doesn’t come back by Monday or Tuesday, we ask Eric Clapton to play.” This prompted Ringo to inquire why Eric left Cream. John replied that Eric would be please to join The Beatles but left Cream because “they’re all soloists.” He then said that The Beatles “would give him full scope to play his guitar.” John went on to say that he wanted the band to continue with or without George but would be willing to start his own band if need be.
Lindsey-Hogg, although it was not his place, tried to establish a consensus of continuing The Beatles without Harrison. Lennon said, “Yes. If he doesn’t come back by Tuesday, we get Clapton.” At that point in the discussion, Yoko Ono, sensed John’s attention drifting from her and began screeching his name into a microphone. The conversation ended and a jam began.
The discussion was never renewed by The Beatles. Known for shooting his mouth off, John’s pronouncement may be one more in a long line of over-the-top statements. Or, maybe he was hoping his comments would quickly get back to George and force him to rejoin the group. But, all of this leads only to intriguing speculation.
No matter John’s intent, the proposition did get back to Eric. In 1998, he commented on the idea’s absurdity. “There may have been [a suggestion that I would be asked to join The Beatles in January 1969]. The problem with that was I had bonded or was developing a relationship with George, exclusive of them. I think it fitted a need of his and mine, that he could elevate himself by having this guy that could be like a gunslinger to them. Lennon would use my name every now and then for clout, as if I was the fastest gun. So, I don’t think I could have been brought into the whole thing because I was too much a mate of George’s.”
Although John did not get Eric to join The Beatles, he did recruit him for the Plastic Ono Band in September 1969. Eric would eventually work with all four men on solo projects.
