Bob Dylan recorded an appearance for The Johnny Cash Show today, 50 years ago. Dylan performed two solo numbers before he joined the show host to perform their version of “Girl From The North Country”. Cash was known for booking newfangled performers as guests on his show. Artists like Neil Young, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton and James Taylor also made appearances on forthcoming shows.
Eddie Kramer, South African producer and engineer, is celebrating his 77th birthday today. Regarded as a true rock icon, Kramer is known for working with some of music history’s biggest names including The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, David Bowie, Bad Company, The Beatles to name but a few. He is also celebrated for his long-term associations with Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Kiss. The South African moved to London where he began his recording career at legendary studios including Pye Studios, Regent Sound and Olympic Studios. Kramer engineered Jimi Hendrix’s “Electric Lady Land” LP in 1968 at the Record Plant in NYC where he also worked with Joe Cocker, NRBQ and The Vanilla Fudge. Kramer and his crew are also famous for recording the whole 1969 Woodstock festival. The studio became known as one of the world’s most popular recording studios. In 1969 he went independent where he produced Johnny Winter’s first LP and engineered “Led Zeppelin II”. In the same year, Hendrix hired Eddie to build an exquisite art studio, Electric Lady Studios, where he served as Director of Engineering from 1970 -1974. He has also worked on live recordings by Kiss, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker, Curtis Mayfield, David Bowie and Peter Frampton. Kramer has won several Grammys for his audio production of the video Jimi Hendrix live album The Band of Gypsies, “The Game of Love”, with Carlos Santana and vocals by Michelle Branch, Martin Scorcese presents- Jimi Hendrix –“The Blues” which Eddie produced and engineered, Jimi Hendrix –“Live at Berkley,” Led Zeppelin- “How the West was Won”. Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, The Cure, Buddy Guy and the Pixies also owe their thanks to Kramer for producing and engineering some of their best-selling albums. He is currently working on Acoustic Experience- a contemporary acoustic remake of Hendrix’s songs with artists Jason Mraz/Crosby and Nash, Mike Mc Cready and Brandi Carlisle, Grace Potter, Rafael Saadiq, Heart, Shinedown, etc. As a skilled photographer, his work is regarded as a highly valued collector’s items that have been exhibited in some of the world’s most prestigious galleries and museums.
Presented by Chase, Eric Clapton recently announced the only two remaining North American shows this year in celebration of his 50-year career. The concerts will be taking place on the heels of his sold-out show at Hyde Park, London, this July. The shows will be taking place on the 6th and 7th of October at Madison Square Garden, New York. Along with his band, Nathan East (bass), Sonny Emory (drums), Doyle Bramhall (guitar), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Paul Carrack (organ/keyboards), Sharon White (vocals), Sharlotte Gibson (vocals), the concerts will be featuring special guests Gary Clark Jr. and Jimmie Vaughan.
Chase recently offered its customers an exclusive free iTunes download of “I Still Do”, Clapton’s latest album. The partnership between Chase and Clapton was established after Chase became presenting sponsor of the 2013 Crossroads Guitar Festival. Their latest initiative together will celebrate Eric Clapton’s iconic career.
Watch below: Eric Clapton – Tears In Heaven & White Room (The Forum, September 2017, Chase Live streaming)
Today in 1963, The Rolling stones played at Ricky Tick Club, Star and Garter Hotel, Windsor, Berkshire. This 1960’s rhythm & blues club in Berkshire hosted many influential artists which also included Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Who, Eric Clapton and Cream. John Mansfield recalls the first time he saw The Stones. The music promoter was in search of bands to put on his newly established club’s stage. He heard about The Rolling Stones before and booked them to play at Ricky Tick for the first time in December 1962. The Stones, now a multi-million-album-selling band, got their first big break in Windsor and actually played Ricky Tick’s at least 39 times during 1962 to 1964.
Born in 1936, George “Buddy” Guy, is an American blues icon known for influencing renowned guitarists including Eric Clapton, Gary Clark Jr., Jimmy Page, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Keith Richards, Jeff Beck and John Mayer. He played as a house guitarist at Chess Records with Muddy Waters where he began his musical collaboration with the harmonica player, Junior Wells. The blues artist was ranked 30th on the Rolling Stone list of “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and his song “Stone Crazy” was ranked 78th on their list of the “100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time”.
Described by Eric Clapton as “the best guitar player alive”, Guy’s career took off during the early 1990’s blues revival where Clapton requested the artist to be part of the “24 Nights” all Star blues show at in The Royal Albert Hall.