Tracii Guns has voiced his opinion on Eric Clapton, suggesting that Clapton may be overrated compared to Jeff Beck. In a conversation with Dee Snider on the Shout It Out Loudcast, the L.A. Guns guitarist praised Clapton’s pinnacle during his time with Cream, emphasizing his “dirty guitar sounds” and use of the wah-wah pedal. However, Guns believes Clapton didn’t maintain that level afterward, contrasting him with Jeff Beck’s progressive approach during their time in The Yardbirds.
“Everyone’s a blues guy,” Guns remarked, not dismissing Clapton outright but questioning his placement alongside Jeff Beck. While expressing his admiration for The Yardbirds as his second-favorite band and collecting all their recordings, Guns suggested that Clapton isn’t the standout figure compared to Beck.
In addition to discussing guitar legends, Guns pondered Jimmy Page’s current performance prospects at 80, lamenting the possibility of missing out on seeing Page live. He also shared thoughts on the next generation of guitarists, preferring those who prioritize live performance over those solely focused on building online followings.
In summary, while acknowledging Clapton’s influence, Tracii Guns believes Jeff Beck’s contributions and progressive style with The Yardbirds deserve more recognition in the realm of guitar legends.
