Eric Clapton and George Harrison shared one of rock’s most fascinating friendships, rooted in mutual admiration, profound musical influence, and an unusual romantic triangle. The two first met in the 1960s when Clapton was rising to fame with The Yardbirds and Cream, and Harrison was already a global icon with The Beatles. Their friendship blossomed over a shared passion for music, particularly the blues, and Clapton quickly became a close friend of the Beatles, often joining them in the studio and eventually playing lead guitar on the iconic track “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” from The White Album (1968).
Their personal lives became intertwined when Clapton fell in love with Pattie Boyd, who was Harrison’s wife at the time. Clapton’s deep feelings for Boyd inspired his legendary song “Layla,” written for her with Derek and the Dominos. The song is a passionate, anguished love letter, blending Clapton’s intense emotions with his extraordinary guitar work. Remarkably, despite the tension, Harrison and Clapton managed to maintain their friendship. Boyd and Harrison eventually divorced, and she married Clapton, though he and Harrison remained close friends.
Clapton and Harrison’s friendship endured beyond personal entanglements, and they continued to collaborate musically over the years. In 1971, they both performed at the Concert for Bangladesh, and later, Clapton organized The Concert for George in 2002 as a tribute after Harrison’s passing. Their bond, characterized by mutual respect and love for music, is a testament to their remarkable resilience and shared history. Together, they contributed to some of rock’s most powerful music, both through collaboration and the enduring influence they had on each other’s work.