Guitar legend, Eric Clapton has told Classic Rock Magazine Peripheral Neuropathy makes playing guitar “hard work”. Clapton has had an unprecedented career including being ranked number 2 in a list of 100 greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone; 17 Grammy Awards; and the only musician to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times.
In the interview with Classic Rock Magazine Clapton shared: “I’ve had quite a lot of pain over the last year. It started with lower back pain, and turned into what they call peripheral neuropathy – which is where you feel like you have electric shocks going down your leg. [It’s] hard work to play guitar and I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that it will not improve.”
In 2013 Clapton cancelled shows because of severe back pain, and two years ago indicated he was considering canceling touring in part due to health reasons. There are a number of possible causes of peripheral neuropathy including alcoholism. He feels fortunate to have survived the 70’s because of his excesses and is grateful to still be alive, “Because I’m in recovery from alcoholism and addiction to substances, I consider it a great thing to be alive at all. By rights I should have kicked the bucket a long time ago. For some reason I was plucked from the jaws of hell and given another chance.”
Clapton’s full interview can be read in the upcoming issue of Classic Rock magazine, which hits the streets on June 15. His newest album “I Still Do” is available now through Amazon and iTunes.
For a list of the Top Twenty Symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy click here.
