Their reputation will die with their audience

[mantochanga]

I was on a tube train with Clapton fans on their way to a Royal Albert Hall Slowhand gig a couple of years ago. As you’d imagine (and making allowances for the fact that I didn’t attend the gig, which might have been full of kids, but let’s assume not) everyone was a good 60 years old.

The thing is, I don’t see Clapton generating any new fans, or his catalogue containing much that’s ever going to be ripe for discovery. When you come right down to it, he didn’t make enough great records. I’ll be telling my grandchildren, “Badge, and that’s it”.

But if you’d grown up with him, I’m sure you’ll have a different view, based on the spirit of the age, and a recognition of Clapton’s talents and qualities that were once new, exciting or innovative, but which now sound well-worn and clichéd. He must have done some of this electric blues stuff first, or something?

Not that I want to have an argument about Clapton. But I am interested in his reputational slide from 'God' to sod. People my age are baffled that, in his day, he regularly beat Jimi Hendrix in best guitarist polls. Baffled.

But who else can we think of who was right for their own time, who still retains an audience that grew up with them, that understands the context they came out of, and knows what innovations they introduced; but who lacks whatever qualities are needed for long-view posterity and the love and attention of succeeding generations.

How about perennial BCB Cup absentees Brian Poole and the Tremeloes? The Sensational Alex Harvey Band? The REM? Bill Haley and the Comets? Bob Marley?

[The Mysterious Doctor Satan's Robot]

Clapton didn't do his legacy any favours with that autobiography of his..

[Your Friendly Neighbourhood Postman]

The REM? Now really...

(your idea is a good one; but I was surprised that you thought of REM and Marley - never mind. I don't have the time to reflect on this now, but tomorrow I will delve into the matter; I am sure that just before falling asleep tonight i will get some ideas and connections between them.)

[...]

I was on a tube train with Clapton fans on their way to a Royal Albert Hall Slowhand gig a couple of years ago. As you’d imagine (and making allowances for the fact that I didn’t attend the gig, which might have been full of kids, but let’s assume not) everyone was a good 60 years old.

The thing is, I don’t see Clapton generating any new fans, or his catalogue containing much that’s ever going to be ripe for discovery. When you come right down to it, he didn’t make enough great records. I’ll be telling my grandchildren, “Badge, and that’s it”.

But if you’d grown up with him, I’m sure you’ll have a different view, based on the spirit of the age, and a recognition of Clapton’s talents and qualities that were once new, exciting or innovative, but which now sound well-worn and clichéd. He must have done some of this electric blues stuff first, or something?

Not that I want to have an argument about Clapton. But I am interested in his reputational slide from 'God' to sod. People my age are baffled that, in his day, he regularly beat Jimi Hendrix in best guitarist polls. Baffled.

But who else can we think of who was right for their own time, who still retains an audience that grew up with them, that understands the context they came out of, and knows what innovations they introduced; but who lacks whatever qualities are needed for long-view posterity and the love and attention of succeeding generations.

How about perennial BCB Cup absentees Brian Poole and the Tremeloes? The Sensational Alex Harvey Band? The REM? Bill Haley and the Comets? Bob Marley?

Not a particularly huge Clapton fan, but to ignore Layla and say that Badge is his only truly great record is just absurd. That said, can see your point about his audience kicking the bucket with him. Who are The REM btw? Presumably it's some sort of new Neil Hannon concept act about the European Exchange Rate Mechanism.

[mantochanga]

OK, Layla too.

The REM did The Reckoning, The Fables of Construction. That kind of thing. I can hardly remember really. No one can!

[The Modernist]

But who else can we think of who was right for their own time, who still retains an audience that grew up with them, that understands the context they came out of, and knows what innovations they introduced; but who lacks whatever qualities are needed for long-view posterity and the love and attention of succeeding generations.

How about perennial BCB Cup absentees Brian Poole and the Tremeloes? The Sensational Alex Harvey Band? The REM? Bill Haley and the Comets? Bob Marley?

Although it's always a controversial thing to say on BCB, I feel that about a lot of prog,..which is why its adherents on here are almost exclusively people who have grown up with it. Generally speaking it hasn't succeeded in capturing the interest of subsequent generations.

[Guy E]

I really don't concern myself with legacy, but I think the vast majority of "rock" music will be largely forgotten when the audience dies. There are passionate music fans that become historians of a sort, they keep the best and the cult favorites alive. It's like that Gene Clark No Other tour where they replicated the whole album with an underground all-star cast. Concert interpretations of Nick Drake's songs have been mounted... that sort of thing.

A fluid historical critical consensus is established; Kraftwerk, the Velvet Underground and other "important" artists will be framed and mounted. But the vast majority will be forgotten.

[Phenomenal Cat]

Van Morrison.

[Davey the Fat Boy]

I'd wager that Clapton's rep is among the most durable in pop music.

[Goat Boy]

I'd wager that Clapton's rep is among the most durable in pop music.

Pffffft.

The tedious racist cunt is on the way out thank God. Seriously, the guy's a dinosaur.

[The Modernist]

I'd wager that Clapton's rep is among the most durable in pop music.

In what sense is it?
I think the original post has a point. A few of his songs have become oldies radio chestnuts - "Wonderful Tonight", "Layla" and er..the one about his dead son perhaps. However his critical reputation, in terms of being seen as this vital artist, is hardly very high now. I don't think you'd find many young people looking for his work either. His biggest legacy is probably Cream, but it was Bruce and Baker that made that band in my view.

[Muskrat]

Van Morrison.

Who?

[Bungo the Mungo]

However his critical reputation, in terms of being seen as this vital artist, is hardly very high now. I don't think you'd find many young people looking for his work either. His biggest legacy is probably Cream, but it was Bruce and Baker that made that band in my view.

Agree to the word.

[clive gash]

All UK "independent" music between The Smiths and The Stone Roses.

[WG Kaspar]

But who else can we think of who was right for their own time, who still retains an audience that grew up with them, that understands the context they came out of, and knows what innovations they introduced; but who lacks whatever qualities are needed for long-view posterity and the love and attention of succeeding generations.

How about perennial BCB Cup absentees Brian Poole and the Tremeloes? The Sensational Alex Harvey Band? The REM? Bill Haley and the Comets? Bob Marley?

Although it's always a controversial thing to say on BCB, I feel that about a lot of prog,..which is why its adherents on here are almost exclusively people who have grown up with it. Generally speaking it hasn't succeeded in capturing the interest of subsequent generations.

Maybe in the UK but in every other country in the world prog still generates a great deal of interest among younger generations.

[The Modernist]

Yeah we've had this chat before (in the pub rather than on here!) and it is interesting how differently these things are perceived in different countries.

[Bungo the Mungo]

But who else can we think of who was right for their own time, who still retains an audience that grew up with them, that understands the context they came out of, and knows what innovations they introduced; but who lacks whatever qualities are needed for long-view posterity and the love and attention of succeeding generations.

How about perennial BCB Cup absentees Brian Poole and the Tremeloes? The Sensational Alex Harvey Band? The REM? Bill Haley and the Comets? Bob Marley?

Although it's always a controversial thing to say on BCB, I feel that about a lot of prog,..which is why its adherents on here are almost exclusively people who have grown up with it. Generally speaking it hasn't succeeded in capturing the interest of subsequent generations.

Maybe in the UK but in every other country in the world prog still generates a great deal of interest among younger generations.

In Greece! I was surprised - the couple of times I've visited, you'd find a lot of old prog vinyl knocking around in those record shops.

[Davey the Fat Boy]

I'd wager that Clapton's rep is among the most durable in pop music.

In what sense is it?
I think the original post has a point. A few of his songs have become oldies radio chestnuts - "Wonderful Tonight", "Layla" and er..the one about his dead son perhaps. However his critical reputation, in terms of being seen as this vital artist, is hardly very high now. I don't think you'd find many young people looking for his work either. His biggest legacy is probably Cream, but it was Bruce and Baker that made that band in my view.

You don't find many young people looking for Louis Jordan's work either, or Robert Johnson - but their critical reputations persist.

When Eric Clapton is someday viewed within the scope of history, he'll be remembered as one of the prototype guitar heroes, and as the guy who entered the hall of fame in more incarnations than any other artist. His legacy is pretty well secured.

[The Modernist]

I'd wager that Clapton's rep is among the most durable in pop music.

In what sense is it?
I think the original post has a point. A few of his songs have become oldies radio chestnuts - "Wonderful Tonight", "Layla" and er..the one about his dead son perhaps. However his critical reputation, in terms of being seen as this vital artist, is hardly very high now. I don't think you'd find many young people looking for his work either. His biggest legacy is probably Cream, but it was Bruce and Baker that made that band in my view.

You don't find many young people looking for Louis Jordan's work either, or Robert Johnson - but their critical reputations persist.

When Eric Clapton is someday viewed within the scope of history, he'll be remembered as one of the prototype guitar heroes, and as the guy who entered the hall of fame in more incarnations than any other artist. His legacy is pretty well secured.

Your first point is probably true, as to your second, does anyone really give a shit about The Hall Of Fame?
He will probably be continued to be checked out by young rock guitarists wanting know about the history of their instrument. I don't think he'll have much appeal beyond that personally.

[Phenomenal Cat]

Van Morrison.

Who?

My work is done here.