These pictures were taken with a cheap camera in Greensboro during the 1974 "Ocean Boulevard" tour. This was Clapton's first major tour after his battle with heroin addiction. Pete Townshend had encouraged Clapton during Clapton's recovery, and was also instrumental in getting EC back on the road, so apparently thought it would be a good idea if tagged along on at least part of the tour for support. The first hint that Townshend was there came when Keith Moon came charging on stage and smashed Eric over the head with a small wooden guitar. The guitar (belonging to comedian "Legs" Larry Smith, seen below with the instrument) was filled with what appeared to be some kind of meat - probably something pilfered from the backstage food table - which ended up scattered over the stage. Moon shot backstage and re-emerged swinging a broom that he used to sweep up the mess. Much of the audience couldn't see well enough to know what was happening, and so was clueless as to what was really going on. These are the only pictures I have ever seen of Eric Clapton and Keith Moon onstage together. It's too bad Moon didn't join Clapton in Clapton's recovery.

Clapton with back-up singer Yvonne Elliman

"Legs" Larry Smith before Keith stole his toy

Clapton and Moon

Moon sweeps up his mess

Eric Clapton/Pete Townshend '74

The Who '71

NY Times ads for "Tommy" at the Met-1970

Keith Moon - Spirit of Lily replica drum kit

Two Sides of the Moon (album - deluxe edition CD release)

See Eric Clapton's section at

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