Eric Clapton ‘Going Deaf’
While it’s been widely known that he’s battled nerve problems over the years, Eric Clapton recently revealed that he’s suffering from tinnitus as well.
While it’s not surprising, it’s still very sad for Clapton fans. Seems his hearing is going, and his issues with tinnitus, and his finger work have exacerbated his issues with playing live. My takeaway is that he wants to, and will still occasionally perform, but not even on the scaled back level of the last few years.
“I am still going to work. I’m doing a few gigs,” Clapton said to BBC Radio 2. “The only thing I’m concerned with now is being in my 70s and being able to be proficient.”
The guitar god is appreciative of the fans that come to his shows but doesn’t want to people to come to his shows to see how bad he’s struggling.
“I mean, I’m going deaf; I’ve got tinnitus. My hands just about work,” replied Clapton. “I mean, I am hoping that people will come along and see me [for] more than [because] I am a curiosity. I know that is part of it, because it’s amazing to myself that I am still here.”
The Clapton documentary Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars will air on Showtime on Feb. 10, 2018. It was directed by Lili Fini Zanuck. Her ties to Clapton run back to her directorial debut Rush which featured Clapton’s emotional tribute to his son, “Tears in Heaven.”
Personally, I’m happy to have seen him time and time again over the decades just totally kill it on stage. Even on one of his last tours where he yielded to young guitar powerhouse, Derek Trucks, the master was still holding court. See what I mean…..
