In honor of Bob Marley's 70th birthday on Friday, February 6, 2015, the Music Television family of sites has been featuring the music and remembering the very humble, yet powerful activist and human rights leader whose music inspired many other great artists to achieve higher highs in their lives and careers. Such was the case with Eric Clapton, who covered Bob Marley's song titled I Shot The Sheriff, just about one year after Bob Marley & The Wailers' released it on their 1973 album titled Burnin'.
In 1974, Eric Clapton reluctantly recorded I Shot The Sheriff for his album titled 461 Ocean Boulevard. Clapton was reluctant because he did wish to be unintentionally disrespectful to Marley. However, when he ultimately did record it, rumor has it that Marley was pleased with Clapton's take. The song ended up being Eric Clapton's only #1 hit, yet so far in the U.S. and it reached the #9 position in the United Kingdom. A subsequent windfall of new ears listening to Bob Marley occurred as a wider audience, at the time, became more aware of reggae music and who Bob Marley was. Clapton's success with the song helped bring Marley more into the mainstream consciousness. In 2003, Clapton's cover of the I Shot The Sheriff was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
There are many versions of Eric Clapton covering the song, both in the studio and live in concert. The filmed performance, just below, was filmed live at a concert at Hyde Park. As if to pay tribute to Marley's passing, the song starts off more gently as a pavane before breaking into the power of the song. Next, is one more version of Eric Clapton with Mark Knopfler and lastly, a wonderful live film of Bob Marley performing his song. Turn it up and enjoy!
Eric Clapton - I Shot the Sheriff - Hyde Park (Live)
Another great one was filmed live in Tokyo with Mark Knopfler.
Eric Clapton & Mark Knopfler - I Shot The Sheriff (Tokyo, 1988)
Here is a wonderful live take of Bob Marley, performing his song, live in concert.
Bob Marley - I Shot The Sheriff
Connect direct with Eric Clapton at EricClapton.Com
Connect direct with Bob Marley at BobMarley.Com, Facebook.Com/BobMarley and at Twitter.Com/BobMarley
