Q – I remember reading in the NME, circa 1992, about how you made a quip in between songs about the death of Eric Clapton’s son (he had recently fallen to his death in a tragic accident).
I can’t recall the exact content, just the gist. But I am wondering if this is something you regret… or if it is true even?
A – I cannot say I’m glad you brought this up, but it might not be a bad time to set the record straight.
I did refer to the dead child but not in a joke.
The set up is key. The venue was Hammersmith Odeon, London. The year was 1991, the tour promoting DGWOMB. Hammersmith, back then was all seated, and a famously ‘difficult room’ for the artist, as the atmosphere from the audience didn’t travel to the stage. I once saw Tom Waits there and I was supposed to say Hi to him after the show, which was fantastic. As it turned out I didn’t even get backstage because of a security person who, when I told him who I was, and that I was expected, said ‘What, the famous Lloyd Cole? ‘Cause you ain’t ‘im’- Not much one can say to that is there? There were no photo IDs in the UK in those days… later I found out that it was just as well because Tom was in a terrible mood, convinced that the audience had hated the show. Nothing could have been further from the truth.
One more piece of set up before I admit putting foot firmly in mouth – this tour was the first tour I’d ever done which didn’t sell out. The venues were large and our guarantees were based upon approximately 95% sell out. The tour averaged more like 90%. Our UK promoter was having a rotten time as a consequence – losing money, I mean, and not just with me, with Sting and Morrissey too. So he declared bankruptcy in the middle of our tour. I had two choices – cancel the remaining dates or sign a check for the the shortfall. I chose the latter, I was not happy about, I’m pretty sure it’s the largest cheque I’ve ever cut for anything aside from buying a house, but it seemed the lesser of two evils and I think my crew know the kind of employer I at least try to be…
The first Hammersmith show sold out – this was the second night and it was maybe 80% filled. We started our set with Butterfly and 90% of the audience stood up and the only folk who were not standing up were the front rows – unfortunately this is often where the comped folk are (I’ve never understood this and if I have any say in it, it doesn’t happen). I was instantly affronted by the lack of enthusiasm there, especially compared to what I saw in the rest of the room. I assumed they were record co. folk and their cronies. I’m not always the smartest tool in the shed when I’m pumped full of adrenalin. I said something sarcastic asking why they couldn’t dance when everyone else was doing so – I said something like ‘What? is the Clapton child buried there?’. I was meaning no ill will towards the Claptons – I was just trying to be snide and clever and failed completely. Some audience members did leave – not in the numbers reported, but we could definitely see a few exiting as we played – not the greatest feeling, maybe one of the very worst, in fact. I later found out that the reason the folk at the front were seated was that every time one of them thought of getting up a massive bouncer (who I couldn’t see from my vantage point) moved threateningly towards them and told them to take their seat. Irony, I remember Irony…
The NME did report it, exaggerating (who wouldn’t) the numbers of those who left. The Sun newspaper contacted the Claptons and really tried to start some kind of public spat. To his great credit EC blanked them completely. I’ve never been a fan of EC’s music but he handled the situation with some class. My Dad met him at Heathrow a couple of years ago when they were both waiting to pick up relatives – they talked for 15 minutes or so – EC didn’t bring it up and my old man says he was very complimentary towards me and my work…