Eric Clapton has revealed that he’s “going deaf” while speaking about ongoing health problems in a new interview.
The legendary singer/guitarist is the subject of new documentary Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars. Clapton was promoting the film when he opened up about his health during a BBC Radio 2 interview.
Confirming that he still plans to perform live, Clapton added: “The only thing I’m concerned with now is being in my seventies and being able to be proficient. I mean, I’m going deaf, I’ve got tinnitus, my hands just about work.”
“I’m hoping that people will come along and see me just because, or maybe more than because I’m a curiosity,” he continued. “I know that is part of it, because it’s amazing to myself I’m still here.”
“I have to get on the bottom of the ladder every time I play guitar, just to tune it,” Clapton explained. “Then I have to go through the whole threshold of getting calluses [on the fingers] back, coordination.”
Clapton has been open about health issues in recent years. Speaking to Classic Rock Magazine recently, he said: “I’ve had quite a lot of pain over the last year. It started with lower back pain, and turned into what they call peripheral neuropathy – which is where you feel like you have electric shocks going down your leg… I’ve had to figure out how to deal with some other things from getting old.”
Elsewhere in the Radio 2 interview, Clapton spoke about his former alcohol habits, which included drinking “special brew with vodka”, and said that his new documentary shows “there’s light at the end of the tunnel”.
“I think it’s important to see that it’s a happy ending, it’s like a redemption concept,” Clapton said. “If you’re gonna go and see it, be prepared for a heavy ride.”