Queen Elizabeth: Rock Disciple

This is actually a story a couple days old, but I thought I'd mention it because it illustrates that Eric Clapton is a class-act. As the Telegraph reports, guitar greats Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Brian May were at a reception at Buckingham Palace. During introductions, it became obvious that Queen Elizabeth II has no idea who any of them were. The exchange is decribed in the article:

"Quite a lot of people would swoon in the presence of such a talent, but the Queen managed somehow to control her excitement. “Are you a guitarist too?” she asked of...Led Zeppelin megastar [Jimmy Page], as if addressing a member of the 1st Haywards Heath Scouts Band. He nodded.

Eric Clapton was taking no chances and, shaking the Queen firmly by the hand, introduced himself by name. “Have you been playing a long time?” the Queen asked, obviously none the wiser. “It must be 45 years now,” replied a non-plussed blues giant."

Clapton later said, "It’s great to meet her - and it doesn’t matter at all that she did not know who we are or what we do. I wouldn’t expect her to.”

Now, I would imagine that most people (I hope) would be gracious in that situation. However, I'm doubtful that most Rock/Blues Legends would be. The whole instance indicates the character of Clapton.

Incidentely, there's also a funny description at the end of the article referring to the Queen's lack of love for Phil Collins' music. At least she and I have that in common.

[Via Powerline]