Eric Clapton has responded to rumors that the late George Harrison makes a guest appearance on his forthcoming album, “I Still Do.”
The track “I Will Be There” includes a credit to guest guitarist “Angelo Mysterioso”, which is very close to a pseudonym Harrison used – “L’Angelo Mysterioso” – on the Cream classic “Badge”, which The Beatle co-wrote with Clapton.
The pair were close friends for decades before The Beatles’ guitarist’s passing in 2001.
“It’s not George,” Clapton tells Guitar World. “The thing is, the person wishes to remain anonymous. So we came to that arrangement and we both thought it was the best idea. I can’t even tell you that much. I’m sworn to secrecy, and I hope he is too. But I quite liked it.”
“I heard there were rumors about it being George and I thought that was great, because it’s nice that people know that story,” he continued. “We used to do it a lot and I still like to do that now. I’ve been that ‘angel’ sometimes. George was, and now there’s someone else. I can’t say who it is, but I like the speculation.”
Due May 20, “I Still Do” sees Clapton reunite with “Slowhand” producer Glyn Johns on the 40th anniversary of the 1976 project that remains one of the guitarist’s biggest-selling studio efforts.
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