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Legendary Guitarist Eric Clapton Says He's Going Deaf
WPXI ^ | Jan 12, 2018 | Kelcie Willis

Posted on 01/12/2018 4:40:33 PM PST by nickcarraway

Musician Eric Clapton says he is going deaf. The 72-year-old singer says he plans on still performing, but his mounting health issues as he ages are a concern.

“The only thing I'm concerned with now is being in my 70s and being able to be proficient,” Clapton said in an interview with BBC 2. “I mean, I’m going deaf, I’ve got tinnitus, my hands just about work. I’m hoping that people will come along and see me just because, or maybe more than because I’m a curiosity. I know that is part of it, because it's amazing to myself I’m still here.”

Clapton, who began his career in the early 1960s, was on the show promoting his new documentary, “Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars.” The film looks at his start in the music industry and how music -- especially the guitar -- helped him throughout his life through a drug and alcohol addiction and the death of his son, Conor, in 1991.

The legendary guitarist and singer said in a Rolling Stone interview that he goes to the doctor for the slightest thing and that, although his eczema affects his guitar playing, he now has it managed.

“I had eczema from head to foot,” Clapton said. “The palms of my hand were coming off, and I had just started making this record with (producer) Glyn Johns. It was a catastrophe. I had to wear mittens with Band-Aids around the hands and played a lot of slide (guitar) as a result.”

“My hands are good. It hasn’t gone completely, but I put ointment on.”

Clapton said he would be OK with not playing guitar again, but is taking advantage of how well he feels now.

“I’m as good now as I’ve been in the last two years.”


TOPICS: Health/Medicine; Music/Entertainment
KEYWORDS: clapton; deaf
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To: Gay State Conservative
But I’m told it’s likely to get worse in time.

I can guarantee that. Mine was bad 10 years ago , then I apparently blew out my inner ear on one side diving. It was the weaker side to begin with, now the other ear is still fading.

Hearing aids are a PITA, some I have had are just not comfortable. have good ones now, but have to remember to take them out before any water exposure.

For me they make everything too loud. Background noise in a restaurant is often so loud I cannot understand someone talking to me any better than without the aids.

21 posted on 01/12/2018 4:58:54 PM PST by doorgunner69 (Give me the liberty to take care of my own security..........)
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To: P8riot

That’s a firm titty!


22 posted on 01/12/2018 4:59:42 PM PST by meatloaf
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To: OrioleFan
TCM showed an interview with Luise Rainer. She must have been around 100 at the time, and Robert Osborne was yelling a question at her, with increasing volume, and somebody in the audience shouted "Write it down!".

And he did, telling the person it was a good idea.

23 posted on 01/12/2018 5:00:01 PM PST by Calvin Locke
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To: nickcarraway

Without my hearing aids I’m practically deaf so I feel for him. I can’t be sure but I blame it on listening to music through headphones too loud.


24 posted on 01/12/2018 5:03:01 PM PST by libertylover (Kurt Schlicter: "They wonder why they got Trump. They are why they got Trump")
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To: meatloaf

That’s what I thought he said.


25 posted on 01/12/2018 5:03:33 PM PST by P8riot (I carry a gun because I can't carry a cop.)
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To: ClearCase_guy

I’m thinking Clapton should take at least 32 bars.


26 posted on 01/12/2018 5:03:42 PM PST by FXRP (Just me and the pygmy pony)
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To: nickcarraway
Sounds like a good Clapton song ending. We'll call the song Anaphora, for good measure:

I put the ointment on
I put the ointment on
I put the ointment on
Oh yeah,

Gotta put the ointment on
I put the ointment on
I put the ointment on
Oh yeah,

I put the ointment on
I put the ointment on
I put the ointment on
Oh yeah,

Gotta put the ointment on
I put the ointment on
I put the ointment on
Oh yeah,

I put the ointment on
I put the ointment on
I put the ointment on
Oh yeah,

Gotta put the ointment on
I put the ointment on
I put the ointment on
Oh yeah,

(background vocals: put, put, put it on)

da capo . ..

27 posted on 01/12/2018 5:04:51 PM PST by aspasia
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To: dfwgator
But it’s Eric’s former bandmate, Ginger Baker that’s the real wonder of nature.

I recommend "Beware of Mr. Baker". It's a documentary about Ginger and is on Netflix.

I admit, my mouth fell open a couple times watching it. Whatta piece of work he is!

But back to Eric....

28 posted on 01/12/2018 5:05:58 PM PST by llevrok (Danger lies when you fear your government more then they fear you.)
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To: dfwgator

Very nice obscure reference!


29 posted on 01/12/2018 5:06:10 PM PST by Shoefus
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To: JPG
I once got into a heated public argument with her. Long time ago.

A thoroughly, thoroughly despicable woman.

30 posted on 01/12/2018 5:07:06 PM PST by Ciaphas Cain (Liberalism, as with all else evil, can never create. It can only corrupt.)
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To: nickcarraway

My parents always said if you listen to that stuff you’ll go deaf.


31 posted on 01/12/2018 5:11:18 PM PST by kaehurowing
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To: meatloaf

That’s what I thought he said.


32 posted on 01/12/2018 5:12:05 PM PST by P8riot (I carry a gun because I can't carry a cop.)
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To: P8riot

oops! - double tap


33 posted on 01/12/2018 5:12:49 PM PST by P8riot (I carry a gun because I can't carry a cop.)
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To: kaehurowing

I am surprised at how often my parents and grandparents turned out to be right.

should have listened.


34 posted on 01/12/2018 5:12:49 PM PST by Chickensoup (Leftists today are speaking as if they plan to commence to commit genocide against conservatives.)
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To: llevrok

Saw it. Makes Keith Richards look like a choirboy by comparison.


35 posted on 01/12/2018 5:13:07 PM PST by dfwgator
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To: llevrok

It’s on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7h8CqYXEx0


36 posted on 01/12/2018 5:27:33 PM PST by Moonman62 (Make America Great Again!)
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To: JPG

Clapner is his Rap name.


37 posted on 01/12/2018 5:28:03 PM PST by dhs12345
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To: nickcarraway

Standing in front of a double stack of Marshall amps CAN affect your hearing later in life.

My favorite guitarist Joe Bonnamassa - who idolizes Clapton - now wears hearing protection while playing and uses small vintage-style Fender amps set behind a plexiglass barrier and miked through a PA system to get his sound out there. Good idea!


38 posted on 01/12/2018 5:28:11 PM PST by 43north (Drive the scenic route and take the dog (no pit bulls please).)
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To: dfwgator

Baker has recently stated that he doesn’t feel that great any more, either.


39 posted on 01/12/2018 5:38:30 PM PST by proxy_user
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To: proxy_user

LOL, he probably hasn’t felt great in about 50 years.


40 posted on 01/12/2018 5:41:07 PM PST by dfwgator
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