Although Eric Clapton has always been more interested in the Blues, the guitarist was quite aware of what was happening in music, especially during the early days of his career. He paid close attention to the incredible British music scene, seeing some of the greatest musicians in the world performing live in small clubs, while also remaining interested in other styles of American music. Over the decades, he spoke about many bands and songwriters he admires, including The Beach Boys and the late legendary Brian Wilson.
What is Eric Clapton’s opinion on the Beach Boys and Brian Wilson
Eric Clapton has been a big fan of The Beach Boys since the 1960s and already described the late Brian Wilson as a Pop genius. When asked to mention some of the songs that left him mesmerized over the years, his first mention was: “‘Good Vibrations’, I mean, all the Beach Boys stuff. ‘I Get Around’, I was playing a gig with The Yardbirds or John Mayall, maybe. The DJ had got that, there was a DJ playing records, even then, believe it or not, we had DJs.”
“He played ‘I Get Around’ and it was like ‘it’s over’, because that’s always my first reaction, ‘I quit’. I never met them (the Wilson brothers – He played with Brian four years later in 2002). We were forming Cream when ‘Pet Sounds’ came out. Actually that, believe or not, that became the prime influence for a lot of the songwriting.”
He continued:
“We couldn’t get it, but we would listen to that album nonstop. Some (songs like), ‘God Only Knows’ and ‘I Wasn’t Made For These Times’, some of the songs on that record,” Eric Clapton said in an interview with Bob Mills in 1998 (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage).
Four years after that interview, Clapton had the chance to share the stage with Brian Wilson at Buckingham Palace in London. They were part of the Party at the Palace, an event held to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Wilson performed four Beach Boys songs, including “The Warmth of the Sun,” during which he was joined on stage by Eric. They would be on stage again at the end of the event when they and other musical guests joined Paul McCartney to sing The Beatles’ “All You Need is Love”.
In that same year, Eric joined Brian at the fifth annual Carl Wilson Foundation benefit concert in Los Angeles. They performed “The Warmth of the Sun” again and, this time, also “Good Vibrations” and “Barbara Ann.”
Eric Clapton said Brian Wilson was a genius
“All of us, Ginger, Jack and I are absolutely and completely knocked out with Pet sounds. I consider it to be one of the greatest pop LPs to ever be released. It encompasses everything that’s ever knocked me out, and rolled it all into one. We’re all gassed by it. Brian Wilson is without a doubt a pop genius,” Clapton said as pointed out by Wilson’s website.
Two years after performing with Brian, the guitarist was part of his 2004 solo album “Gettin’ In Over My Head”. He played the lead guitar on the track “City Blues”. Curiously, Wilson initially wasn’t happy with Eric’s and McCartney’s performances on his album and he asked them to try a bit harder. When asked by Vice in 2016 what he told Clapton, he said: “You don’t (tell him what to do). There was nothing I could tell him. He just played it again on his own. I think he knew he could do better,” he said.
Darian Sahanaja, who was part of Wilson’s band for more than 20 years, recalled a funny story involving Eric Clapton. “His awkward attempts to get past an uncomfortable situation could result in pure comedy gold. Or might even be perceived as ‘genius.'”
“If he wasn’t in the mood to meet visitors backstage before a show, they might say ‘Hi Brian! It’s an honor to meet you’. His typical five-word response would be ‘Thank you … enjoy the catering!’ Always sincere and never meant to be hurtful. Like the time I was standing with him post-show when Eric Clapton walked over, immediately gushing about the music.”
He continued:
“Brian looked at the both of us and said, “Well… rock ‘n’ roll is here to stay. (Pause.) It will never die” — then turned around, walked 10 feet to his dressing room and slammed the door behind him. Eric and I turned to each other with palms up and just had to laugh. Genius? Perhaps. Honest? Absolutely,” he told Variety in 2025.
Another interesting connection between Wilson and Clapton is that they had the same drummer in their bands at different times. The late Jim Gordon played on the Beach Boys’ “Pet Sounds,” “Smiley Smile,” “Friends,” and “20/20” in the 1960s and, in 1970, was part of Derek & the Dominos, the band formed by Eric. The only album recorded by them was “Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs.”
Gordon had a tragic end, as he killed his mother in the 1980s and remained in prison until his death in 2023. He had undiagnosed schizophrenia and also recorded during his career with George Harrison, the Carpenters, the Byrds, CSN, Alice Cooper and more.