In a recent interview with Guitar World, George Terry, a former guitarist and sideman to the legendary Eric Clapton, shed light on some of the more tumultuous moments they experienced together in the mid-1970s. While Clapton’s struggles with addiction and recovery are well-documented, Terry revealed that not all of Clapton’s ‘bad nights’ on the road were solely due to his own choices.
Terry recalled a particularly unusual incident during a show in Australia where Clapton was unknowingly dosed with LSD. The incident left Clapton temporarily incapacitated, forcing Terry to step in and play a few songs. Despite the unexpected circumstances, Terry observed, “In my opinion, Eric actually plays great, even after having a few drinks.”
This incident, Terry explained, was just one example of the dynamic that often unfolded during their tours. While Clapton’s drinking sometimes impacted his performances, other challenges arose, such as health issues and the sheer exhaustion of life on the road. Terry shared that Clapton would often ask him to ‘step in more than usual,’ leading to spontaneous extended versions of songs and improvised moments during their shows.
Terry’s extensive experience as a session musician proved invaluable in handling these unexpected situations. Before joining Clapton, he worked as part of the in-house crew at Criteria Studios in Miami, where he learned to adapt to unforeseen circumstances with ease.
Reflecting on his early interactions with Clapton, Terry described how their working relationship began. He first met the blues legend at Criteria Studios, offering him a ride and inviting him to join the in-house band for some informal jams. Clapton readily accepted, and after their collaborative session, it wasn’t long before they began working on what would become one of Clapton’s most celebrated albums, ‘461 Ocean Boulevard.’
Terry recalled how Clapton developed a fascination with reggae after they jammed to Bob Marley’s ‘Burnin’,’ ultimately leading to the inclusion of the hit ‘I Shot the Sheriff’ on the album.
Beyond his work with Clapton, Terry went on to contribute to several iconic hits of the 1970s and 1980s, including ‘Islands in the Stream’ and ABBA’s ‘Voulez-Vous.’ Despite the occasional chaos that accompanied life on the road, Terry’s memories of his time with Clapton stand as a testament to the resilience and creativity that emerged during one of rock’s greatest decades.
Clapton eventually overcame his addiction in the late 1980s and has since dedicated himself to helping others struggling with substance abuse. He has raised millions for addiction recovery and founded the Crossroads Recovery Center in 1998.
