"Eric Clapton's 'Fool' SG guitar, also once owned by George Harrison, suffered damage during a paint job. Subsequently, the headstock of this legendary guitar broke off during its possession by Todd Rundgren."
Blabberin' 'Bout Guitars: The Fascinating Tale of Eric Clapton's Psychedelic SG
Eric Clapton, the legend known for parting with his prized guitars, has an intriguing tale to tell when it comes to his iconic "The Fool" SG. Built in 1964, this double-cut Gibson, draped in an eye-catching paint job by Dutch art collective The Fool, became a symbol of the psychedelic era and the iconic 1967 Summer of Love.
The Fool SG graced Clapton's "Cream" career, providing the foundation for his famous "woman tone" that echoed on hits such as "Sunshine of Your Love," "White Room," and "I Feel Free." In an issue of Beat Instrumental back in August 1967 (perhaps courtesy of Julien's Auctions), Clapton described the guitar as "a sweet sound. It is more like the human voice than the guitar. You wouldn't think it was a guitar for the first few passages."
Following Cream's breakup, the guitar found its way into the hands of close friend George Harrison, who then passed it on to guitarist and singer-songwriter Jackie Lomax. Todd Rundgren, mesmerized by the electric guitar during Cream's performance at Manhattan's RKO Theatre in '67, eventually acquired it - but not in the condition he might have hoped.
"The paint job was flaking everywhere, action was high, and they were using it as a lap guitar," Rundgren recalls. Improving the guitar's health required extensive restoration; a task he took on with gusto.
After numerous years of being Todd's go-to instrument (albeit a fragile one), the guitar finally made its way to auction in 2023, fetching a cool $1.27 million, making it one of the most expensive guitars ever sold at auction.
Speaking of Todd Rundgren, let's dive into his impressive background in music production. A time traveler in the world of sound, Rundgren lent his leftfield expertise to Meat Loaf's mega-selling debut album, a move that left others somewhat perplexed. Regardless, history shows that Rundgren knew what he was doing. Stay tuned for more stories from the ever-entertaining world of music!
Fun Facts:- The iconic "The Fool" SG was crafted by Gibson in 1964.- The guitar boasts a double-cut body designed by Dutch art collective The Fool.- Eric Clapton first utilized the guitar during Cream's formative days, showcasing it on some of the group's most memorable tracks.- George Harrison became the protector of The Fool SG after Clapton gifted it to him.- Jackie Lomax was the lucky recipient before Todd Rundgren snagged it in 1970.
- Eric Clapton, renowned for parting with his prized guitars, first utilized the iconic "The Fool" SG during Cream's formative days, popularizing it on some of the group's most memorable tracks.
- The double-cut Gibson SG that graced Eric Clapton's "Cream" career, known for its psychedelic paint job by Dutch art collective The Fool, was crafted in 1964, joining the ranks of guitars as a symbol of the era.
- Following its tenure with Eric Clapton, the legendary "The Fool" SG found its way into the hands of close friend George Harrison, who then passed it on to guitarist and singer-songwriter Jackie Lomax, and eventually Todd Rundgren in 1970.
- The electric guitar that Todd Rundgren acquired in less than pristine condition underwent extensive restoration, turning it from a fragile lap guitar into his go-to instrument, renowned for its unique character and sound.
- An expert in the field of music production, Todd Rundgren's innovative techniques contributed to Meat Loaf's mega-selling debut album, showcasing his leftfield expertise and solidifying his role as a key player in the ever-evolving world of entertainment and music.
