Eric Clapton reveals initial dislike for successful ‘Unplugged’ album

Eric Clapton recently revealed that he initially resisted the release of his highly successful 1992 album, ‘Unplugged’. In an interview with Guitar Center, the musician admitted he had a “real aversion” to the record and even attempted to limit its release to a small number of copies.

Clapton recounted a bet made with then-Warner Brothers president Lenny Waronker, stating, “I bet you $100 it won’t even go into the top 50.” Waronker reportedly still keeps the $100 bill in his office as a reminder of the wager.

Despite his initial dislike, Clapton acknowledged that the album significantly shaped his public identity. He noted that much of his previous work was either too underground or too pop-oriented, whereas ‘Unplugged’ represented the version of him that the public recognizes most. The album, recorded in England for the MTV series, went on to win three Grammy Awards and became one of the best-selling live albums of all time.