Uploaded September 2014 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
Witness an absolute titan-level guitar summit! Watch the legendary pioneer of rockabilly, Carl Perkins, lock horns with blues-rock god Eric "Slowhand" Clapton for a blistering, high-octane live performance of the classic "Mean Woman Blues."
Preserved as a monumental piece of guitar history, this pro-shot archive captures the pure joy of two generation-defining musicians trading ferocious solos on the same stage. Backed by an elite all-star rhythm section, Perkins and Clapton transform this rhythm-and-blues standard into a clinic of pure, unadulterated rock 'n' roll showmanship.
🚀 The Legendary Lineup:
🎤🎸 Carl Perkins – Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar
🎸 Eric Clapton – Lead Guitar / Backing Vocals
🎸 Dave Edmunds – Rhythm Guitar / Backing Vocals
🎸 Lee Rocker – Upright Bass
🥁 Slim Jim Phantom – Drums
🥁 Ringo Starr – Drums
🎹 Jools Holland – Piano
📋 5 Fast Facts About the Show/Song:
• The Archival Date Mystery – While this official Music Vault archive is widely cataloged under a September 9, 1985 date at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, New Jersey, it actually originates from the legendary London television special Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session, filmed at Limehouse Studios on October 21, 1985.
• The Elvis Presley Connection – Written by Claude Demetrius, "Mean Woman Blues" was famously recorded by Elvis Presley in 1957 for his hit movie Loving You. Here, Carl Perkins reclaims the track with his quintessential Sun Records grit, injecting it with extra country-blues swagger.
• Slowhand Goes Rockabilly – Known globally for his smooth, fluid blues-rock phrasing, Eric Clapton steps out of his comfort zone to match Perkins' signature "chicken-pickin'" velocity. Clapton's visible reverence for Perkins shines through in every harmonized lick and traded solo.
• The Stray Cats Engine – The relentless, driving groove behind the two guitar icons is anchored by bassist Lee Rocker and drummer Slim Jim Phantom of The Stray Cats. Their fierce, modern neo-rockabilly energy perfectly supercharges the traditional 1950s arrangement.
• A 30-Year Celebration – This historic 1985 session marked roughly three decades since Carl Perkins altered the fabric of popular music by recording "Blue Suede Shoes" in 1955. The concert stood as a living tribute to his indelible impact on British rock royalty like Clapton, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
Witness an absolute titan-level guitar summit! Watch the legendary pioneer of rockabilly, Carl Perkins, lock horns with blues-rock god Eric "Slowhand" Clapton for a blistering, high-octane live performance of the classic "Mean Woman Blues."
Preserved as a monumental piece of guitar history, this pro-shot archive captures the pure joy of two generation-defining musicians trading ferocious solos on the same stage. Backed by an elite all-star rhythm section, Perkins and Clapton transform this rhythm-and-blues standard into a clinic of pure, unadulterated rock 'n' roll showmanship.
🚀 The Legendary Lineup:
🎤🎸 Carl Perkins – Lead Vocals / Lead Guitar
🎸 Eric Clapton – Lead Guitar / Backing Vocals
🎸 Dave Edmunds – Rhythm Guitar / Backing Vocals
🎸 Lee Rocker – Upright Bass
🥁 Slim Jim Phantom – Drums
🥁 Ringo Starr – Drums
🎹 Jools Holland – Piano
📋 5 Fast Facts About the Show/Song:
• The Archival Date Mystery – While this official Music Vault archive is widely cataloged under a September 9, 1985 date at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic, New Jersey, it actually originates from the legendary London television special Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session, filmed at Limehouse Studios on October 21, 1985.
• The Elvis Presley Connection – Written by Claude Demetrius, "Mean Woman Blues" was famously recorded by Elvis Presley in 1957 for his hit movie Loving You. Here, Carl Perkins reclaims the track with his quintessential Sun Records grit, injecting it with extra country-blues swagger.
• Slowhand Goes Rockabilly – Known globally for his smooth, fluid blues-rock phrasing, Eric Clapton steps out of his comfort zone to match Perkins' signature "chicken-pickin'" velocity. Clapton's visible reverence for Perkins shines through in every harmonized lick and traded solo.
• The Stray Cats Engine – The relentless, driving groove behind the two guitar icons is anchored by bassist Lee Rocker and drummer Slim Jim Phantom of The Stray Cats. Their fierce, modern neo-rockabilly energy perfectly supercharges the traditional 1950s arrangement.
• A 30-Year Celebration – This historic 1985 session marked roughly three decades since Carl Perkins altered the fabric of popular music by recording "Blue Suede Shoes" in 1955. The concert stood as a living tribute to his indelible impact on British rock royalty like Clapton, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr.
