Photo Credit:
Writer: Eric Clapton
Producer: Russ Titelman
Recorded: January 16th, 1992, at Bray Studios, Berkshire, England
Players: | Eric Clapton — vocals, guitar Andy Fairweather-Low — guitar Chuck Leavell — keyboards Nathan East — bass Steve Ferrone — drums Ray Cooper — percussion Katy Kissoon — background vocals Tessa Niles — background vocals |
Album: | Unplugged (Reprise) |
“Layla” was originally released on the Derek & the Dominos album Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs in November 1970. Seeking to downplay his guitar-god status, Eric Clapton refused to have his name included in the group name or album title. Ironically, the searing blues on the record, and on “Layla” in particular, only increased his reputation.
Clapton re-recorded “Layla” for an MTV Unplugged special. By deconstructing the tune's original electric guitar lines, Clapton performed “Layla” with only the spine of the song intact, a drastic revision.
The history of the song, which has now passed into legend, is rooted in a love triangle. Clapton fell in love with Patti Boyd, who was at the time married to his friend George Harrison. Clapton eventually married Boyd in 1979, but they later divorced.
Clapton's Unplugged special was taped January 16th, 1992. The show first aired on March 11th, 1992, in the U.S.
Clapton's performance on Unplugged nabbed him an armload of trophies at the 1993 Grammy Awards, including Album Of The Year, Best Male Vocal Performance, and Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. “Layla” was named Best Rock Song.
The acoustic surroundings were a fruitful but unexpected turn for Clapton. From his presence in seminal blues-rockers the Yardbirds to the power trio of Cream and his own solo career, Clapton's work has relied heavily on his electric guitar skills.