By the beginning of the 80s, Eric Clapton had become an indolent rock star. Cocooned in alcohol, his career was drifting along, with increasing disinterest on all sides. His life was basically catered for – right down to having somebody else take his driving test for him.
On stage, however, he could still play guitar, even when he couldn’t stand up, something he proved occasionally. But even that was preferable to the drunken on-stage racist rant that helped the foundation of Rock Against Racism.
In 1983, Clapton got sober and switched labels to Reprise. That year’s Money And Cigarettes (5/10) reunited him with producer Tom Dowd, who brought in heavyweight American musicians including Ry Cooder to help Clapton raise his game. He even scored a moderate hit with the gentle, rolling I’ve Got A Rock ‘N’ Roll Heart. But Clapton didn’t have the originals to back up the covers.
Next he teamed up with his new best friend Phil Collins to co-produce Behind The Sun (6/10). But powerful blues rockers like She’s and were not enough for Reprise, who flew in producer Ted Templeman to sprinkle his 80s fairy dust over and give Clapton a proper hit.
