• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

Clapton on a Special

bramley

Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Messages
408
Searched the forum before posting, couldn't find any prior threads or reference to this pic. Correct me if it's been posted already.

"Cream,London debut at The Marquee. August 16, 1966. Eric playing a double cutaway Les Paul Special borrowed from Eddie Clayton of The Clayton Squares"

IVgk9Hq.jpg
 

fernieite

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
609
Cool photo! This was because of the stolen Beano burst at Cream's rehearsals, I gather?

I'd be great to hear a recording of that first gig!
 

EXPLRGAB

Active member
Joined
Jul 4, 2020
Messages
108
What is the deal with Jack Bruce playing....that......baritone ? guitar....I saw this guitar in a lip synch of Strange Brew.
 

bramley

Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Messages
408
Cool photo! This was because of the stolen Beano burst at Cream's rehearsals, I gather?

I'd be great to hear a recording of that first gig!
I'm sure it was the reason , he played with a few borrowed guitars after his was nicked. I can't find a pic of the Claytons with that guitar, they were a Liverpool band originally . It would be interesting to know the connection.
 

Bruce R

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 2, 2007
Messages
1,029
This reminds me of a b & w photo I saw of Mark Knopfler, taken around 1976, onstage playing a guitar identical to this one. Considering there just weren't all that many of these floating around the UK at that time I really wonder if it was the same guitar? Sure looks like Van Morrison singing. doesn't it!

1619489864295.png
 

Ed Driscoll

Les Paul Forum Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
4,691
Searched the forum before posting, couldn't find any prior threads or reference to this pic. Correct me if it's been posted already.

"Cream,London debut at The Marquee. August 16, 1966. Eric playing a double cutaway Les Paul Special borrowed from Eddie Clayton of The Clayton Squares"

IVgk9Hq.jpg
Did he have a 'Burst at the same gig? Certainly looks like he's wearing the exact same stage clothes in the photo below:


xsKYxjpFsU9p8VRiHHhpEZ-970-80.jpg
 

seafood

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 11, 2003
Messages
379
wow!!!! great pics!!!! i love this period of time!!!! that had to sound incredible! and those marshalls too!!!!!!!!wow!.....thanks.
 

brandtkronholm

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 3, 2006
Messages
2,737
Searched the forum before posting, couldn't find any prior threads or reference to this pic. Correct me if it's been posted already.

"Cream,London debut at The Marquee. August 16, 1966. Eric playing a double cutaway Les Paul Special borrowed from Eddie Clayton of The Clayton Squares"

IVgk9Hq.jpg
I wonder if there's a (bootleg) recording of this show. It would be educational to hear his tone with the Les Paul Special.
 

bramley

Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Messages
408
This reminds me of a b & w photo I saw of Mark Knopfler, taken around 1976, onstage playing a guitar identical to this one. Considering there just weren't all that many of these floating around the UK at that time I really wonder if it was the same guitar? Sure looks like Van Morrison singing. doesn't it!

View attachment 13905
It could be, according to Denny Alexander from the Claytons the guitar was sold to Sound City on Shaftesbury Ave ., so it was definitely in circulation.

D/C juniors and specials were around , although as you say not in great numbers. When I worked at Top Gear in Denmark St '72-74 there were 50's D/C juniors and specials on the wall. They were mostly sold to us by guys like Marriott and Ralphs who regularly brought stuff back to sell after American tours .Dan Armstrong was another " supplier", he sold us the Special Bob Marley bought..

Must have been hot, no jacket or shoes in this one . ( Also the band's short lived gorilla mascot !)

More here.

https://www.claptonlivehistory.com/book-only/

UqhGmvf.jpg
 
Last edited:

goldtop0

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 19, 2003
Messages
8,931
That paisley jacket was what he wore at their first gigs in '66..............not seen after that.
 

bramley

Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2005
Messages
408
Also found a clip of the guitar in action at the Cavern in Liverpool, before the Claytons moved to London. starts at 2.26
 
Last edited:

Bruce R

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 2, 2007
Messages
1,029
Also found a clip of the guitar in action at the Cavern in Liverpool, before the Claytons moved to London. starts at 2.26
Holy cow... I have never seen a guitarist hold his instrument so high!
 

Hamerfan

Active member
Joined
Dec 20, 2004
Messages
791
This reminds me of a b & w photo I saw of Mark Knopfler, taken around 1976, onstage playing a guitar identical to this one. Considering there just weren't all that many of these floating around the UK at that time I really wonder if it was the same guitar? Sure looks like Van Morrison singing. doesn't it!

View attachment 13905

Bruce, you are at something: Look at the tone pot of the neck pickup. Both guitars miss the metal cap of the knob. To me these guitars are identical.
 
Top