Eric Clapton

I was watching an old concert last night, Concert for Bangladesh and marveled at Eric Clapton. I feel better whenever I see Clapton on the stage. In 2003, he put together an amazing band and a tribute concert to departed Beatle George Harrison - which has become one of my favorite concert. Most of my favorite songs and performances involve Clapton somehow.

Eric Clapton has been a consistent force throughout his almost 40 years of recording. His first album with Cream, Fresh Cream, came out in 1966. He has been a part of some of the greatest bands, such as Cream, Yardbirds, John Mayalls Blues Breakers, Blind Faith, and Derek and the Dominoes. You can find his guitar work backing up greats like B.B King, George Harrison, Duane Allman, Bob Dylan, Leon Russell, Delaney and Bonnie. He stands alone as a song writer and a solo act. Great songs such as I Shot the Sheriff, After Midnight, Layla, Tears in Heaven, Wonderful Tonight, Lay Down Sally, and many more. Wonderfully prolific and relevant. He doesn't hang his star on others like Carlos Santana, whom I also love but anyone who hitches up to Clapton usually finds success. It is like cooking with butter. It just taste better.

My generation seems to give place to musicians to grow old with them. Stones, Fleetwood Mac, McCartney, Dylan, Van Morrison and Joni Mitchell. Maybe because they did not die of an overdose or shot by some psycho, keeps us feeling like we have survived and are still young and relevant. We are taking our youth heros with us in to old age. From vinyl to iPod, from the Volkswagen van to the SUV, we are going boldly into growing old as we refuse to grow up.

Cosby and I were pondering about who are the new musicians of today who will stand the test of time and be around and relevent when they are 65 or older.

Who do you think?