John Mayer by A Rood, Eric Clapton by Bill Kelly
On April 13, at the tail end of his performance at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan, guitar legend Eric Clapton invited John Mayer onstage for a version of “Cocaine.”
“It’s always great when the stars align and I get to catch up with @ericclapton. An exceedingly generous man,” Mayer wrote afterwards via Instagram. “Watching him play is like getting picked up by the scruff of my neck like a kitten. I just love it. To do it in Tokyo makes it all the more special.”
In the past, Clapton has characterized Mayer as an “extremely gifted” guitarist and the duo have previously collaborated at Clapton’s Crossroads Festival.
The April 13 sit-in came after Clapton led his band through his version of The Wailers’ “I Shot The Sheriff,” “Tears in Heaven,” “Layla,” Cream’s “Badge,” “Wonderful Tonight” and many more.
Since Mayer was already in town, performing on his own solo world tour, the sit-in was a natural fit. Their version of “Cocaine” clocked in at almost eight minutes, with both guitarists getting some room to stretch out and get their solos in.
Watch the version of “Cocaine” and check out Clapton’s full setlist below:
Eric Clapton
April 13, 2019
Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
Pretending, Key to the Highway, Wanna Make Love to You, I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man, I Shot the Sheriff, Driftin’ Blues, Running on Faith, Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out, Tears in Heaven, Layla, Badge, Wonderful Tonight, Crossroads, Little Queen of Spades, Before You Accuse Me
Enc: Cocaine^
Notes:
^with John Mayer
4 Comments comments associated with this post
JJ Marley
April 15, 2019 at 10:01 amLove Clapton and love JJ Cale for writing Cocaine, Lay Down Sally and Tulsa Time; but I associate Bob Marley with I Shot the Sherrif.
Suckonmy
April 15, 2019 at 9:55 amMayer sat in on pretending at MSG two years ago. It’s sick and also not part of the crossroads fest.
Jim
April 15, 2019 at 9:32 amCocaine is a JJ Cale composition but Clapton made it famous more ways than one. I Shot The Sheriff is also perhaps made really famous by Clapton though that might be argued. Most identify both songs with Eric rather than their originators I would say.
Dick
April 14, 2019 at 6:41 pmMasters of Milquetoast!