God doesn't need to know what time it is.

Clapton developed a psychedelic aspect to the electric blues, along with a few others and to me, that is what he is best known for---- in the period between Mayall and Cream. 

He also paid Skip James for the right to adapt "I'm so Glad"--fairly generously for the time, without arm-twisting as I recall.  

I don't know about the moral high ground here. I do know there is a degree of presentism in judging the past by today's standards. If you are talking about current stuff, that does not take away from his historical significance as a player. 

Redd is a down-the street guy, as is Bill Kirchen, both superb players and entertainers. The Continental Cafe is one spot among many where they play.

I haven't seen David Lindley here in Austin, one of the best players I've ever encountered live. 

Songwriters can make money; performers as you know, may make a little, but if a song really gets covered, you are clipping coupons, as they say. 

Lawrence of Arabia was into Brough motorcycles- he died on one.

Don't look up the cost of one of the original 100 (mph) models- you could buy a lot of stuff for one of those bikes. 

I find it ironic? that people who are into a niche hobby- at least at the high end of audio-- don't at least "get" the fact that there are other pursuits involving "gear" that seems absurdly priced (and in some cases, it is). If you told the average non-enthusiast what some of the systems here cost, there would be a revolution. :)

Have fun, keep the shiny side up as they say in motorsports. 

I'm old school. I like the feel of a proper watch on my wrist. I have a few nice ones, some older, but nothing like the big dollar bling that is thrown around these days. Watch-making is both science and art. Some of the designs are fascinating (and I pretend to know very little about the watch making art). To @bdp24, it's another way to spend money, a hobby, some pursue with a passion. 

I had a friend back in NY who was seriously into cars. He managed to get the stopwatch Steve McQueen used in the movie Le Mans. He can afford it. 

Daytonas seem to be some of the most collectible Rolexes for both neophytes and serious collectors. Nice watch. Not worth millions, other than for provenance and bragging rights, but I understand it. Is the money going to a charity? 

Clapton was pretty amazing in the early days-- riding distortion on "Stormy Monday" at one of the London clubs when he was playing with John Mayall. I think the old Les Paul he had at the time went missing.

The best Cream record is, sadly, a boot- the Grand Ballroom performance in Oct., '67. I eventually lost interest in what he was doing when he embarked on a solo career but he was important in that era between the electric blues and hard rock with psychedelic influences. At the time, what he was doing was considered inventive, though it is now a well worn groove. I'm not into technical mastery, as such. I like the player to capture the soul of the song. 

Haven't seen/heard him in some time; probably the Clapton-Winwood tour where they reprised a lot of Blind Faith. It was good. (Good band too). 

@asctim - you would be surprised at how cost effective a refurbishment by factory is- I have done this periodically and you get back what amounts to a new watch (sometimes they say, oh, do you want to replace the face, and I say no, because I like the patina of age). Often the total of a full refurbishment with warranty is a fraction of the value of the timepiece. I just received one of my watches that was overdue for the full re-do and it is enormously gratifying that it is fully operational again, and have two that are in process. Even if the watch does not have sentimental value, the cost of factory rehab is far less than the cost of the watch on the used market. When you have time, contact a local authorized dealer and they can send it to the factory shop (in the case of several of mine, that is located here in the States) and they will give you an itemized estimate for refurb. The only cost to you is shipping (which if done by a jeweler is a fraction of what you'd pay as a civilian with insurance, etc.). 

@jkf011 said:

"This is what happens when people read the Robb Report."

Ha. Or Connoisseur Magazine. The Bling Report. Our objective is to find the most expensive, extravagant example of certain "lifestyle" product categories, regardless of the actual merit of the product to perform its intended function. It's really expensive and chances are, you'll be the only one in a ___ radius to own one. 

Step up and be a player. :)