Let’s face facts. If you’re in a rock band, chances are excellent a number of commandments are gonna get broken. That is exactly what led to the writing of our next tune.
Once upon a time, George Harrison and Eric Clapton were best friends, practically brothers. George was married and very much in love with his wife and she with him. So, what’s the problem? Eric was also very much in love with George’s wife. He couldn’t help it; by all accounts, she was very desirable. She, however, resisted the worn out phrases and longing gazes of Eric … but only just for so long. He wore her resistance down until, in spite of her love for the handsome George, she fell in love with Eric, left George and married Eric. George, realizing they were only human and he himself was no saint, forgave Eric and his wife (what a guy!). More than that, George and Eric remained best friends for the rest of George’s life, with the two men referring to each other as “husband-in-law”. The two continued to perform together frequently until George’s passing in 2001. It was all so very civilized. The end.
Sounds like this could be one of my stories!
Written and released in 1970 by composer/guitarist/singer Eric Clapton, “Layla” is the title track on the Derek and the Dominos album “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs”. George and Eric’s wife was the inspiration for the song which is considered one of rock music’s definitive love songs.
This is one of those times I could not find a good quality recording of Derek and the Dominos. Instead I chose this version – Eric Clapton performing with Phil Collins and others at Live Aid in the John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia USA on July 13, 1985. The event was organized to raise funds for the Ethiopian famine disaster. I hope you enjoy “Layla”.
What a great tune and you can see why Clapton is regarded as one of the best guitar players in the world. I’ll never forget seeing Clapton with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker; they were Cream. They didn’t set off pyrotechnics, smash their instruments, sport big hair or perform acrobatics on stage. They came out, laid down some mean guitar riffs and sang some awesome songs. No need for more than that.
Here’s the question of the day:
In my intro to the video, I never referred to George’s wife by name. A model and actress in the 60s and 70s, she is recognized today as an author, photographer and supporter of various charities. Can you identify this beautiful blonde who stole the hearts of both George Harrison and Eric Clapton? FYI it is not “Layla”!
The answer appears below. If you don’t know the answer, no worries; perhaps you’d like to share one of your favorite George Harrison or Eric Clapton songs (videos always welcome).
Today’s post was a little bit longer than usual so thanks for sticking around. Join me next week In The Groove for another great tune.
See you on the flip side.
I’m The Sicilian Storyteller
NAR © 2023
The answer to today’s question is ….. Pattie Boyd.
The Rhythm Section 
I know this story. There was a documentary about their lives a few years back. Pity that the marriage didn’t last. And I blooming well forgot her name until I read it at the end. 🤦🏼♀️
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Did you do the facepalm and say “Doh! Bloomin’ Pattie Boyd!”?
I was so jealous of her back then, torn between George and Eric! Poor thing. 😂
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Yep, facepalm. I remembered Pattie, but couldn’t remember more. My brother-in-law is mistaken for Eric Clapton all the time. My dad was always mistaken for Don Rickles, and even signed a few autographs when “fans” got belligerent. 😂
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Great story! Don’t you just love it when people insist you’re someone famous even when you repeatedly deny you are? The comeback to your “No, I’m not” is usually something like “Yeah! You are!”
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“Pattie Boyd” just doesn’t sound nearly as exciting as
“Layla”. Now that I know this, I wonder if the song will ever sound as nearly exciting as it once did.
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Perhaps that’s the whole point of naming the song “Layla” – the air of excitement and mystery. Besides, try singing “Pat-tie” to those chords; it just isn’t the same! 😂
Sorry, A. I hope I didn’t ruin the song for you forever. It’s still got an epic sound!
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I have been acquainted with the details of this story through one of your posts @ The Elephant’s Trunk, Nancy.
A gray’s comment highlights an interesting subject, one I have been debating often as an artist:
How the knowledge of the process under which a work of art is created, influences the perception of it.
“They didn’t set off pyrotechnics, smash their instruments, sport big hair or perform acrobatics on stage. They came out, laid down some mean guitar riffs and sang some awesome songs. No need for more than that”… print it and billboard it outside every fancy music industry PR/ Marketing office!
In The Groove, indeed!
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Ah, yes. You must be referring to my “interview with George” story. When I first wrote that little piece of fiction, I posted it on Facebook and some guy tore into me like you wouldn’t believe. He said “This is not a real interview. How dare you not calling it “The Fictional Interview”, blah, blah, blah. I explained that anyone reading the story would know it was fiction but he clearly he took it all very personally. How the f*%$ would I ever get an interview with George Harrison just days before his death? 🙄 🤣
I believe naming the song “Layla” was brilliant; it added a necessary air of mystery to it. “Who is this Layla; is she a real person?” This is much like The Stones’ song “Angie”. I’m sure there are countless song that fall into this category, don’t you think?
Now you got me thinking of Clapton’s nickname of “Slowhand”. For years I thought it meant one thing when it really meant something entirely different. I definitely preferred MY interpretation! Got you thinking now, huh?
The video you posted. It is the epitome of cool. Simply sublime. 🌖
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FB and 🤬!! 😆
Oh, c’mon…yes, you did 😅
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Quite a fascinating tale, just shows that men can behave like adults after all. Great song selection 😊
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These two men, anyway (although the road to adulthood took a lot of interesting twists along the way!).
I’m glad you liked this one; it really is a great song, whatever the name!
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Clapton is a funny bloke because while I can appreciate his immense skill, I’m not head-over-heels with him because that rock-guitary music. I suppose George is the same, although I know more of George’s personal life so have an affection for him that I don’t really have for Clapton.
I must admit the version I headrd was that the twn man were bessies and stayed bessies throughout, and George didn’t care much when she went to Clapton. He knew the marriage had run its course. But it’s so long ago, I can’t remember where I heard that.
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You probably read my story! 🤣
That’s exactly how it went, even jokingly referring to each other as “husband-in-law”. It takes a rare breed, don’t ya think?
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I dunno, if George knew it was over he’d have wanted to see them both happy. Clapton, at least. I never really heard anything about whether there was acrimony or not between George nd Patti.
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No, it was all very civilized. Even George’s second wife Olivia got along with Pattie.
Clapton’s had his share of tragedy, losing is 4 yr old son Conor in a terrible accident. He wrote this song for his son:
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oh yes I remember that.
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A tangled and tantalizing tale, the sort that births great music!
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I couldn’t have said it better myself!
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Pattie Boyd. She was an extra in “A Hard Day’s Night,” that’s where George met her.
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Absolutely right, John! Thanks for mentioning that
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It will come as no surprise that I didn’t know this story, and didn’t know the answer (although, I know the song and two of the featured characters!)
I helped out at Live Aid, Nancy, taking donations all through the night at the BBC Television Centre in Manchester. It was busy but fun.
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How excellent is that! Thanks for the background story, Tom.
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Interesting story! I had the pleasure of seeing Clapton in 1998, a classic!
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I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for writing such an amazing blog post about George Harrison and Eric Clapton. As a huge fan of both musicians, I was thrilled to read your insights and perspectives on their music and their friendship.
Your passion for music truly shines through in your writing, and I appreciate the effort and dedication you put into crafting each post. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise with us readers.
Well Health Hub, LLC
– https://wellhealthhub.com/blog
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It’s true, we are all passionate about music which is one of the reasons we formed this lovely joint venture between friends. Even though the four of us have never met in person, it’s the power of music that brings us together and allows us to share wonderful music with you, our readers. Thank you for stopping by, giving us a listen, and leaving a comment. It means a great deal to us. 🎶
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