Could Eric Clapton, in his prime, perform Jimi Hendrix's songs live?

What do you think? Just curious to hear your thoughts. What would it sound like?

 

Of course he could. 100%

 

Nope because Jimi is doing more than simply playing guitar.

 

Depends on the song.

"Little Wing" turned out great.

 

Imagine him doing 'Fire', 'Purple Haze', 'Voodoo Child (Slight Return)" or anything from Jimi's setlist. You know..

 

Sure people can dissect and recreate Jimi's songs - even online guitar teachers - but creating? Nope.

 

Foxy Lady?
All Along the Watchtower?

 

Jimi was a forerunner, a trailblazer. I hate to break it to you but fast forward to 2018 and many bedroom guitarists can play Jimi's stuff note for note. Asking if pros of the calibre of Clapton could bang out a Hendrix set is silly. Of course they could. Just look what SRV and Gary Moore did with Hendrix songs.

 

He could do it, but it would sound like Eric Clapton interpreting Hendrix. It would not sound like a Hendrix clone.

 

I'm not talking about 'creating', but 'perform' it. We all know Eric's not so great at songwriting

 

Sure - a lot less talented players can perform it note for note. My point is that doesn't make them as good as Jimi.

There are probably bedroom players on this site that could do a pretty good Jimi.

 

I can only imagine.. Eric plays a set full of Jimi's songs, using Jimi's guitar effects and amps. Can you imagine that? What kind of sound we would hear?

 

Eric could, but it would be a bloodless exercise. Clapton's creativity did not run in a direction similar to Jimi's. He could never have followed Jimi onstage. People would have thought he sucked cause his excellence was in such a different direction.
Jimi wanted the guitar to sound like 5o different instruments or things. Eric was into making the guitar sound like an amazing guitar.

 

I didn't vote, because the answer is somewhere between the first two choices. There is a huge range between 'as good as Jimi' and 'nothing special'.

 

Yes. Past his prime, but still getting it done:

 

debatable. I like Clapton

 

he could play the correct notes.

 

Lets not turn this into a vs thread.
Clapton was great
Hendrix was great
For as many people that say Clapton couldn't write songs, there are as many that say Jimi couldn't write, I don't agree with either point of view

 

Yes. Clapton in his prime was just as good a guitarist as Hendrix, IMO, just different.

But why would he need to? Clapton in his prime had his own excellent body of work (Beano, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek).

 

When Clapton should have really been reaching prime, he wasn't in condition to play anything credibly.

 

I have to disagree with you on this one Arnie .

I’ve mentioned it before in other threads but Eric took a delicate, gentle song with “butterflies and moonbeams” and turned it into a bombastic exercise in angst, with an intro more appropriate for announcing the entrance of the Roman army .

It’s a strange (mis) interpretation of the original songs intent, IMO.
“Walking through the clouds” .. he ain’t .

 

Edit: disclaimer... I do not necessarily agree with the heading, but it's really cool and I had never heard it before

 

Dunno, better ask Randy Hansen.