Eric Clapton - Eppelheim, Germany
Heidelburg, Germany - June 17, 1977 - CD-R2 - 62:26/47:46 - Aud 3
Disc 1:
Disc 2:
Geetarz Comments: The crowd is a hoot on this one. The first part of the show is typical of
the period, very laid-back. Eric really doesn't play any lead until the outro of "Sheriff" when he
cuts loose with an extended solo, which really gets the crowd going. In retrospect, it's easy to
lose sight of the fact that by the late 70s, Eric's rock days seemed long behind him and who knew he
would come back so strong in the 1980s and 1990s? So when EC finishes his solo, the crowd near the
taper is exuberant: "Clapton Ain't Dead!" ... "Pretty Good for an OLD MAN!" ... "Just like the
Fillmore Days!". After a nice performance of "Badge" someone near the taper asks, laughing, "Got
your money's worth?". Disc 2 begins with a quiet version of "Nobody Knows You..." which is unfortunately
marred by some idiots who decide to scream into the quiet performance. EC begins "Have You..." with
a long, graceful solo, lasting almost 5 minutes before the vocal. And after "Layla", applauding to bring EC back onto the stage for an encore,
someone says "he wouldn't DARE leave!!!". Of course EC doesn't, and comes back with a nice uptempo
performance of "Further On Up the Road." Source: CAS -> CAS -> CD-R. A fair audience recording with
some tape hiss, and lots of crowd noise, but still a fun listen from EC's more "laid back" period.
There is also an alternate recording from this performance.
Visitor Comments: "I just wanted to pass on a few comments to you regarding two of the shows (CDs) you have listed on your website, I think you will appreciate them. I could comment on others, but the stories are not as good. The shows are the June 17, 1977 Eppelheim Germany show and the July 21, 1985 Compton Terrace show. I have interesting comments because I am the source of these shows. Imagine my surprise upon seeing them listed at your website! The June 17, 1977 show was recorded in a small school gynasium in Eppleheim Germany. I had just been discharged from the US Army and was at the show with a group of my friends who were still in the Army. The interesting comments heard are me and my friends. "Did you get your money's worth?" was actually me talking with a friend who complained about the price of the ticket- we all heard Clapton was sinking into alcoholism, and that he was about dead (where have we heard that before?). I think the exchange takes place after a stirring rendition of "Tell The Truth". The quote actually goes something like this: Me: "Well Perry, did you get your money's worth?" Perry: "Shit Yeah!!" Me: "Is Clapton Dead? Hell no!! He's alive and well in Manheim!!" I was 27 at the time. later on, as Yvonne Elliman introduces "I Can't Find My Way Home" she dedicates the song to the band "As they haven't seen their homes in a long time...". You can barely make out another GI saying in the background: "They ain't the only ones!" At that point one of my friends Greg asks: "What'd he say?" I respond a bit sarcastically, "They ain't the only ones!"
- The Hawk {Geetarz Note: Bill a.k.a. "The Hawk" passed away unexpectedly in 2004 - thanks for preserving these great memories!]
