Greg Koch On Eric Clapton • Wildwood Guitars Interview

We all have our opinions on the legendary Eric Clapton, but his influence is undeniable. Join Greg Koch and Wildwood Guitars as Greg discusses Clapton's influence throughout his years as a player.

~ Greg Koch ~
Hailing from the frigid wasteland of northern Wisconsin comes a beast the likes of which the world has never known. Greg Koch, a beast of both persona and guitar-mastery, couples his sickeningly magnetic personality with the guitar to create a style of playing that is both completely unique and deplorable at the same time. As a huge fan of the legendary Big Jim Hendricks Greg has taken all that is good and righteous about blues guitar and warped it into a ridiculously fantastic amalgamation of melodic defilement and mind-blowing creativity. Over the years Greg has shared the stage with everyone from Joe Bonamassa to Les Paul himself, never relenting, never ceasing to bring the ruckus.

[carnabybob]

Let's be makes the internet better.

[ThrashRoC]

To me eric Clapton is really one of the MOST tastful and greatest Blues Players
and a TRUE Legend

[kingstonlaw]

There’s no doubt that Clapton is one the greatest ever. When it comes to improvise, he’s simply untouchable. His note choice and dynamics are pure genius.

[digitalsketchguy]

Many people forget that Eric was so young when he was knocking out those tunes and there was no internet back then, no guitar mags, no DVD tutorials, no youtube, just zilch. He listened to American blues masters like Robert Johnson and also guitarists of his day and absorbed, learned and mastered.

[JezUK]

I'm 52, nearly 53, and very close to pulling the trigger to buy an electric guitar to learn - I have no hobbies and this looks fun. Just learnt about this guy and he is funny :)

[thomaspick]

It is a wonderful thing that Eric changed his tone so many times over the years. He wrote some nice stuff and also did good interpretations of other people’s work. From electric to acoustic, a great range. Glad he wrote a book to set things straight. Yes, there are despicable areas in his past. He does pay tribute to those before him in the blues genre and felt honored when asked by the ancients to carry the torch and see to it the genre does not die out. When Jimi went on England, it was Eric that Jimi sought out.

[lifetimes]

Claptons solo on "The Core " -Slowhand LP took me back ....instantly. It was the first time in a good while in studio that I had heard that Clapton fire. Wickedly fast, awesome tone and CLEAN

[valentino]

One of the often overlooked aspects of Clapton’s career is how many obscure Blues artists he brought into the mainstream by popularizing songs that had been largely forgotten. There is a whole catalog of R&B players that contributed to early Rock that many had no idea existed.

[aphillips]

watch Cream live at the Albert Hall and you'll understand why Clapton was / is revered. Its a tour-de-force on par with Hendrix.

[scottmcgowan]

It's been many years since I would hang out with Greg, and I will always look back fondly on the times I was lucky enough to step on stage with him. He is a generous performer, always challenging me to up my game, and had a way to elevate my own playing. He's gentle giant of a man, just as funny in conversation as his videos, but it's his musical vocabulary that makes him what he is. It's ironic that he's here talking about Clapton, who many feel has a very limited set of influences, because I can tell you that Greg clearly listens/incorporates EVERY type of music into his style...

[bluefen]

So great to hear such an accomplished guitarist and keen mind understand exactly why Clapton's contribution is so profound....thank you Greg...

[jimleininger]

THEY DONT KNOW!!!! I dig the Zappa quote, Writing about music is like dancing about architecture

[richfiryn]

Wow, some pretty amazing comments here. I fortunately am an older guy that has been around since the very start with Mr Clapton. Musical styles and popularity of a new group or individual come and go. Eric is still here, still playing wonderfully. He and many other older performers that are still living are really global musical treasures. Anyone with even the slightest interest in music can and should learn from these guys. As Greg said, they are the foundation. Right on for this vid Greg.

[bizthin]

Excellent analysis by Greg Koch! It's also noteworthy to mention the album "From the Cradle" which well exemplifies the foundation Clapton is built on. Namely, the 3 Kings.

[youtomorrow]

Well said, if the foundation isn't there... check your foundations man!! 😀

[rick]

Eric's my favorite, at my age 71 he still is. An inspiration to me.

[Deliquescentinsight]

Mr Koch is a very astute, intelligent man, and he plays killer Guitar like a run you in circles athlete-his sense of humor is also terrific-my opinion of the man has risen further with this fair minded and knowledgeable analysis of Eric Clapton's contributions.

[gavinnaylor]

What about From the Cradle. That show was a clinic. And on tone too. There is a video in here.  Never the same as filling an arena full of that Gibson sweetness but you'll get the idea.  I remember going to that concert in the 90s thinking Clapton was a has been and not really liking the blues.  Man did he change that.  He rocked a few of those solos out for 4 or 5 minutes and left it all there. That man's incredible when he lays it down. 

[Jakexx]

Fortunately for everyone you're not pontificating. You're simply relaying a real life experience that is important to you. Thanks for making my point better than I ever could.

[lifetimes]

I remember a "Greg" video clip I saw ago, but I didn't know it was Greg I just recognized him as a cat whose smokin guitar chops were matched only by his PASSION for the art and instrument. I stumbled into another video today, still did not know his name but again recognized his passion and chops right off from 10-15 years ago. This time I remembered to bookmark and write down his name cuz he is so damn inspirational !