Photographs of Eric Clapton Hanging Out With Jimi Hendrix in London in the 1960s

Eric Clapton had earned a reputation as “God” in the mid-1960s for his virtuosic guitar work in R&B-inspired British bands like the Yardbirds and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. Then an unknown American named Jimi Hendrix hit London in 1966 and changed the game entirely.

Hendrix’s unparalleled playing and explosive style forged a new genre and redefined what it meant to be a guitarist — and sent the British boys back to the woodshed. Clapton’s status as London’s top axe-man had been challenged, but their rivalry was mostly a friendly one. Clapton was in awe of Hendrix’s talent and the pair bonded over music and mutual admiration.

The famous story of their first meeting involves Hendrix sitting in with Cream at a gig. Hendrix’s performance, particularly his incendiary rendition of “Killing Floor,” reportedly “blew away” Clapton, leading him to walk off stage in astonishment and exclaim something to the effect of, “You never told me he was that f***ing good!”

“It was funny, in those days anybody could get up with anybody if you were convincing enough that you could play,” said Eric Clapton. “He got up and blew everyone’s mind. I just thought ‘Ahh, someone that plays the stuff I love in the flesh, on stage with me.’ I was actually privileged to be (on stage with him)… it’s something that no one is ever going to beat; that incident, that night, it’s historic in my mind but only a few people are alive that would remember it.”

Despite this initial shock, which some interpret as a challenge to Clapton’s perceived supremacy, they quickly became friends. Clapton himself has spoken about how Hendrix’s playing impacted him, making him feel that “the game was up for all of us.” This wasn't a bitter rivalry but rather a profound recognition of Hendrix’s revolutionary talent.

They would often hang out in London, jamming in clubs and having deep conversations beyond music. Clapton deeply admired Hendrix’s innovative approach and musical imagination. “It was amazing,” said Clapton, “and it was musically great, too, not just pyrotechnics.”

Tragically, their friendship was cut short by Hendrix’s untimely death in 1970. Clapton was reportedly devastated by the news and had even purchased a rare left-handed Fender Stratocaster as a gift for Hendrix shortly before his passing.