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The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock PodcastThe Ugly American Werewolf in London is a weekly podcast about classic rock, hard rock, progressive rock, heavy metal, early MTV, 80s music, UK vs. US chart success and all things rock! Author: Mac B.
The Ugly American Werewolf in London is a weekly podcast about classic rock, hard rock, progressive rock, heavy metal, early MTV, 80s music, UK vs. US chart success and all things rock! Hosted by The Wolf and Action Jackson, who interview rock legends, review classic albums and concerts of their favorite classic rock bands each week. Once a month, they welcome musicians, writers and fans to First Concert Memories to tell about one particular night where a live concert changed their life. Action & The Wolf have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge of rock music and its history - tune in to hear what they're passionate about! Proud part of Pantheon Podcasts! Language: en Genres: Music, Music Commentary, Music History Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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UAWIL #293: John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton
Episode 293
Wednesday, 8 July, 2026
Eric Clapton had achieved pop success with The Yardbirds but that's not what he wanted. All Eric wanted to do was play the blues. So he left The Yardbirds to join John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers where through many miles and many gigs honed a guitar sound & style that would create a mythology around Clapton like no guitar player before. Their gigs must see happenings as once they were into a groove, the Bluesbreakers could improvise their way into something spectacular. John Mayall wanted to capture that live energy and creativity on an album but their first attempt (with bassist Jack Bruce who would figure into Clapton's story later) was not up to par. So they went to Decca Studios and worked to capture the best bits of their live set. Eric doesn't just take off, he does seem to build throughout the record just as he might during a live show. And John Mayall does take the spotlight as the lead singer, solid piano/organ man and a cool harmonica player. John McVie (who would eventually break from Mayall to form Fleetwood Mac with future drummer Mick Fleetwood) holds down the bass and Hughie Flint keeps it steady on the drums leaving room for Mayall and Clapton to do their thing. Though Mayall contributes some originals, they borrow from blues legends like Freddie King, Little Walter, Memphis Slim and Robert Johnson. On Johnson's Ramblin' on My Mind Clapton offers his first attempt at singing lead, something he was reluctant to do throughout his career but John nudged him. Clapton's playing was groundbreaking at the time and his reputation as a master of the guitar built rapidly. Graffiti popped up around London - Clapton is God. The Wolf & Action Jackson try their best to imagine what it must have been like to hear Eric play live at that time. Because they've never known a world with Eric Clapton and when they got to know him he was 40. Plus, they'd heard all the hot shots that had come after Clapton over the decades. We've always appreciated Clapton's tone and playing but trying to put our minds in a place where hearing anything like this was brand new was the challenge. It may not be as mind blowing as it was 60 years ago but it's still some rock solid blues by a guy at 20 years old who would define the blues (certainly for white folks) for the next half century. Check out our new website: Ugly American Werewolf in London Website Visit our sponsor RareVinyl.com and use code UGLY to save 10% off one ENTIRE ORDER! Email us at uglyamericanwerewolf@gmail.com bit.ly/UAWILROCKS Twitter Threads Instagram YouTube LInkTree www.pantheonpodcasts.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
