Marvin Lee King, Marcus King and Eric Clapton (l-r), backstage in Nashville. Photo via @realmarcusking on IG


Eric Clapton nodded to the next generation of electric guitarists during his Sept. 21 Nashville gig, welcoming Marcus King for a stand-alone encore.

Other highlights from Clapton’s electric/acoustic hybrid outing included longtime favorite covers like “I Shot The Sheriff” (acoustic), “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” (electric) and a set-ending “Cocaine” (electric).

Naturally, Clapton also touched on his own songbook, performing back-to-back acoustic versions of “Tears in Heaven” and “Layla.”

King’s moment in the spotlight arrived during Clapton’s encore take on Joe Cocker’s “High Time We Went.” The Fabulous Thunderbirds’ guitarist (and brother to Stevie Ray Vaughn) Jimmie Vaughn joined in on the festivities as well.

After the show, King shared a photo (above) of himself, his father Marvin Lee King and Clapton chatting backstage.

In related news, Clapton’s recent stance on vaccine and COVID testing requirements at his concerts have landed him in hot water. This Nashville performance as well as his gig at New Orleans Smoothie King Center required such precautions, effectively breaking Clapton’s controversial vow to never play a show that has a vaccine mandate.

Clapton is one of the few musicians to waver on the subject, as much of the music industry has embraced these precautionary measures to ensure safe concerts and experiences for fans.

Check out Clapton’s full Nashville setlist – via setlist.fm – below:

Eric Clapton
Sept. 21, 2021
Bridgestone Arena, Nashville

Electric Set: Pretending, Key to the Highway, I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man, I Shot The Sheriff

Acoustic Set: Driftin’ Blues, Man of the World, Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out, Tears in Heaven, Layla

Electric Set: Got to Get Better in a Little While, Wonderful Tonight, Little Queen of Spades, Cocaine

Enc: High Time We Went^

Notes:
^with Jimmy Vaughn and Marcus King