In Holy Scripture, Saul of Tarsus persecuted the Christians. One day, while on the road to Damascus, Saul received his calling to praise the Good News, thus becoming St. Paul. If we’re all born to do one thing, the calling comes and we ride that “road to Damascus.” For Eric Clapton, that moment, as described by Yardbirds biographer Alan Clayson, came at a young age when he heard the blues of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. This began a long standing love affair with the blues that has paid dividends for the three-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, prompting many fans to give him a divine new nickname: god.

The 1960’s Review documents the early chapters of Clapton’s career, from startup bands like the Roosters, right up to his time in iconic groups like the Yardbirds, Bluesbreakers, Cream and Blind Faith. Not only does this DVD include Clapton classics, but also rare clips of heroes like Jimmy Reed, Freddie King and Muddy Waters. The men who watched Clapton evolve—Yardbirds bandmate Chris Dreja, Cream road manager Ben Palmer and Paul Jones of Manfred Mann—provide insight on his growth and how American blues changed the landscape of British rock.

—Matthew Allen