Eric Clapton’s journey through music is as fascinating as his talent is undeniable. Known for his unparalleled guitar skills and instinctive decision-making, Clapton has always charted his own course, even when it meant walking away from success. His choices often reflected a deep commitment to authenticity over commercial appeal.
In just a few short years, Clapton played pivotal roles in some of the most influential bands of the era, from The Yardbirds to Cream. Yet, his time with each group was surprisingly brief, marked by his drive to stay true to his artistic vision. His exit from The Yardbirds was perhaps the most significant turning point.
Why would an artist leave a band on the cusp of fame? For Clapton, it wasn’t about the spotlight but the sound. His decision to part ways with The Yardbirds reveals a fascinating story of conviction, values, and the pursuit of musical integrity.
Clapton’s Departure from The Yardbirds
By 1965, The Yardbirds were leaning into a pop-driven sound that didn’t sit well with Eric Clapton. As David Bowling noted in Eric Clapton FAQ: All That’s Left To Know About Slowhand, the guitarist took issue with their new direction, particularly the single “For Your Love.” Clapton viewed it as a stark departure from his preferred blues style—a shift he couldn’t support.
The song “For Your Love” was recorded in early February 1965 and released on March 5th. By that point, Clapton had already made his decision to leave the band. Reflecting on his departure later that year, he shared with Rave Magazine that while he had some regrets, they were largely financial.
“I don’t want to knock the Yardbirds because it would only seem like sour grapes,” Clapton admitted. He spoke fondly of his time with the band, reminiscing about “the nights at the Marquee” and wondering how his former bandmates were faring. Despite their differences, he acknowledged, “They are the best of the pop and R&B groups, and they can be terrifically good.”
On Loneliness and Life After The Yardbirds
When asked if he considered himself a lonely person, Eric Clapton gave a candid response: “Yes, as a matter of fact, I am.” However, he quickly added that his loneliness was less profound than what he felt during his time with The Yardbirds.
Reflecting on those days, Clapton described a deeper, more isolating experience: “It was a question of being alone within a crowd, and that is the worst form of loneliness.” Despite being part of the group, he felt disconnected and out of sync with his bandmates.
“I lived as part of the Yardbirds until I was completely out of touch with it,” Clapton explained. “I couldn’t speak and be understood, and they couldn’t speak to me either.” His words reveal the emotional toll that creative and personal misalignment can take, even amidst professional success.
Reflections on Leaving His Old Band
Eric Clapton’s final song with The Yardbirds, “For Your Love,” became a bittersweet topic for the guitarist. Its commercial success made him question his decision to leave. “The song was such a big hit that I wished I’d stayed on a bit longer; the money would have come in pretty useful,” Clapton admitted.
Still, the tensions within the band had grown unbearable. Clapton explained, “Things had got to such a state between us that I couldn’t have faced it.” He criticized the relentless pace forced on pop bands, saying, “Working every night, you become a machine, you play to order.” For Clapton, this grind stripped away the creative camaraderie he once cherished.
Ultimately, the strain of constant pressure took its toll. “You lose your regard for your fellow artists in the group, then the tension really mounts,” he reflected. Clapton’s departure highlighted his unwillingness to compromise his principles for commercial success, even at a personal cost.
The Strain That Drove Clapton and The Yardbirds Apart
Eric Clapton opened up to Rave Magazine about the growing rift between him and his Yardbirds bandmates, pointing to the pressures of constant work as a major factor. The relentless schedule eventually pushed the group apart, leaving Clapton feeling estranged from those he once worked closely with.
Frontman Keith Relf agreed with Clapton’s perspective but added that a shift in the band’s musical direction also contributed to the tension. Speaking to Rave, Relf explained, “Eric is a true blues man. He likes very way out, deep music. We are playing more understandable R&B.”
Despite their differences, the split wasn’t entirely bitter. Relf acknowledged the challenges of balancing creativity with the demands of fame. “Overwork, and a mixture of temperaments caused the trouble, but we parted quite good friends,” he shared, highlighting a mutual respect even as their paths diverged.
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Finding Freedom with John Mayall
After leaving The Yardbirds, Eric Clapton found a new home with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers. The change allowed him to reconnect with his passion for authentic musical expression. “Playing to me has always been an outlet,” Clapton shared with Rave Magazine. “With John Mayall, I can play how I like.”
Clapton described how the guitar became a conduit for his emotions. “I’m a very passive person, but I can make chords on a guitar sound vicious and violent. When I do, it’s all the bad things I’ve ever seen coming out,” he said. For Clapton, his music was deeply personal—a stream of feelings that poured out whenever he picked up the instrument.
Despite his success, Clapton admitted his frustration with the commercial side of the music industry. “A lot of cattiness and cruelty goes on,” he observed. But he remained committed to his principles, saying, “Real musicians give because they want to see music improved.” This ethos drove him to push back against superficiality and stay true to his craft.
Clapton’s Struggles and the Decision to Leave
Eric Clapton revealed that leaving The Yardbirds was as much about his mental well-being as it was about his artistic principles. Reflecting on that period, he admitted, “If I hadn’t left the Yardbirds, I wouldn’t have been able to play real blues much longer because I was destroying myself.” One night, in a moment of despair, he reached out to a friend only to be misheard due to a faulty phone connection. “I thought I had gone out of my mind,” he recalled.
Despite the difficulties, Clapton didn’t dismiss his time with the band entirely. “I don’t want you to think that my years with the boys were all bad; they were not. We had some exciting and happy times,” he said. However, his underlying insecurities often weighed on him, leading him to downplay expectations for his future success.
Ultimately, Clapton felt compelled to pursue music on his own terms, regardless of the risks. “You have to do what you think is right, and for me to face myself, I have to play what I believe is pure and sincere and uncorrupted music,” he explained. Leaving The Yardbirds wasn’t just a career decision; it was a step toward staying true to his identity and passion.
Jealousy and Ego Conflicts in The Yardbirds
Eric Clapton’s departure from The Yardbirds in 1965 was driven by a mix of personal and professional reasons. While his dissatisfaction with the band’s musical direction is well-documented, another less-discussed factor was the jealousy that brewed within the group. Clapton himself acknowledged some tension, but drummer Jim McCarty later shed more light on the internal dynamics, suggesting an ego conflict between Clapton and frontman Keith Relf.
McCarty explained how the focus on Relf as the lead singer shifted once Clapton’s popularity grew. “We noticed that there were a crowd building up on his side of the stage,” McCarty recalled. This growing fan interest led to tension between Clapton and Relf, with both vying for the spotlight in a band where the lead singer traditionally commanded attention.
The friction extended to Clapton’s nickname, “Slow Hand,” which McCarty attributed to a lighthearted joke during performances. “We were playing frenetically… and he’d break a string, and, of course, he’d take a while to change the string,” McCarty said. The nickname stuck, reflecting both the admiration and subtle competition that defined Clapton’s time with The Yardbirds.