Joe Bonamassa’s Tribute to B.B.King: The Iconic Collaboration with Eric Clapton
For enthusiasts of the blues genre, Joe Bonamassa’s star-studded homage to the legendary B.B. King is among the most eagerly awaited albums of the year.Bonamassa reveals that his ultimate guitar idol, the incomparable eric Clapton, joined the project only after another artist insisted on his involvement.
according to Bonamassa, Clapton is one of the rare guitarists capable of honoring King’s most celebrated track.
Bonamassa has taken the lead in producing B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100, featuring an extraordinary lineup that includes Buddy Guy, Susan Tedeschi, George Benson, Slash, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Gary Clarke Jr., and Warren Haynes. This remarkable ensemble is truly worthy of a king.
“Few musicians embody the essence of their genre like B.B.King,” Bonamassa states in a promotional video for the album, which was unveiled on what would have been King’s 100th birthday. “No one else was creating a tribute album for him, so this project became a heartfelt endeavor.”
A series of singles have already been released, showcasing a blend of seasoned artists and those who are carrying the blues torch into the future. Bonamassa collaborates with Buddy Guy on “Sweet Little Angel,” teams up with Trombone Shorty and Eric Gales for “Heartbreaker,” and joins forces with Larkin Poe for “Don’t You Want a Man Like Me.”
However, the most thrilling collaboration on the album will remain under wraps until its official release on February 6, and it comes with a interesting backstory.
“We reached out to Chaka Khan to feature on the album, and she responded, ‘I’ll only sing if someone like eric Clapton plays guitar,’” Bonamassa recalls in an interview with Q104.3 new York. “I thought,’I can make that happen. Just give me a moment.’”
Bonamassa has long regarded Slowhand as his musical hero and had the amazing opportunity to share the stage with him at the royal albert hall. While Clapton was likely on Bonamassa’s wish list before the conversation with Khan, her request solidified the collaboration.
“We were fortunate to have Eric join us for the duet,” Bonamassa shares.
He believes that only a guitarist of Clapton’s caliber could do justice to “The Thrill Is Gone.”
“It’s such a legendary piece that anyone who attempts it will inevitably be compared to B.B.and the original version, which is simply untouchable,” he adds.
“You either need to have icons themselves do it, or you need to find an unsuspecting young artist that wants to do it, and you make them the sacrificial lamb.”
Joe Bonamassa
It’s hard to believe that Bonamassa’s reputation didn’t make the opportunity more appealing for Clapton, and this collaboration serves as a meaningful endorsement for the dedicated blues guitarist.
“He’s my hero and the reason I play the way I do,” Bonamassa expresses on his website. “[He was] one of those musicians who could plug his guitar directly into an amp, and it would instantly sound like him.”
sharing the stage with Clapton for a rendition of Bobby Bland’s “Further up the Road” in 2009 was a dream realized for Bonamassa.
“I always joke with Eric,saying,’You have no idea how much I’ve borrowed from you,’” he quipped during a conversation with Rick Beato last year.
In his Guitar World column reflecting on his Gibson days before switching to the Fender Strat, he noted, “Eric’s playing from this period is characterized by his exquisite finger vibrato and perfectly in-tune string bends. His performances are passionate, and his melodic phrasing is impeccable.”
This makes Clapton the perfect choice to cover “The Thrill Is Gone” and emerge with a compelling interpretation.
In related news, Bonamassa recently challenged a journalist’s definition of a virtuoso when B.B. King was excluded from that category. He has also had to reconsider his fondness for loud tube amplifiers after being diagnosed with hearing issues following a performance in Austin.
