You’ve probably seen this quote flying around Twitter in the wake of the death of Prince. It’s a really nice sentiment, but is it true?
A reporter once asked Eric Clapton how it felt to be the world's greatest guitar player. Clapton replied, "I don't know, ask Prince." #RIP
— David Shuster (@DavidShuster) April 22, 2016
Answer? Nope:
https://twitter.com/michellebranch/status/723326353815150593
More from Snopes:
Eric Clapton didn't say this about Prince:https://t.co/1Nxmp4UGo3 pic.twitter.com/styLffIXPt
— snopes.com (@snopes) April 22, 2016
An excerpt:
This purported response is one Clapton is extremely unlikely to have made (in anything but jest), as it follows exactly the narrative of a decades-old (false) urban legend in which either Jimi Hendrix or Clapton himself supposedly answered the same question, in equally surprising fashion, by saying that it should instead have been posed to Phil Keaggy:
Jimi Hendrix was on the Tonight Show one time in the late 60s. Johnny Carson turned and asked him how it felt to be the greatest guitarist ever. Hendrix quickly responded: “I don’t know. You’d have to ask Phil Keaggy.”
Now, will all of the verified tweeters who posted this please correct yourselves? Thanks!
one thing i give clapton: he’s generally good with giving praise to others. https://t.co/WzvpnxsxKv
— bomani (@bomani_jones) April 22, 2016
Eric Clapton was asked about how it felt to be the world's greatest guitarist. His response: "I don't know. Ask Prince."
— Willie Garson (@WillieGarson) April 22, 2016
When Eric Clapton was asked how it felt to be the world's best guitarist he replied: "Lemme Google that for ya."
— Hot Dog Man (@JoshuaZavadil) April 22, 2016
Recommended
A reporter once asked Eric Clapton how it felt to be the world's greatest guitar player. He replied, "I don't know ask Prince." HT @AllenCNN
— Femi Oke (@FemiOke) April 22, 2016
https://twitter.com/domjoly/status/723532717942513664
Question 2 Eric Clapton: How does it felt 2 B the world's greatest guitar player?"
A. "I don't know, ask Prince." ? pic.twitter.com/fNbGdCEo3m— Jerry Saltz (@jerrysaltz) April 22, 2016
Eric Clapton was asked about how it felt to be the world's best guitarist.
His response: "I don't know. Ask Prince".
— Stig Abell (@StigAbell) April 21, 2016
Reporter: Mr. Clapton, how does it feel to be the world's greatest guitar player?
Eric Clapton: I don't know, ask Prince.
(True story)— Joe Hill (@joe_hill) April 22, 2016
Eric Clapton said he was the best guitarist alive. https://t.co/DeXuHPjD0E
— Anthony Germain (@AnthonyGermain) April 22, 2016
Eric Clapton was asked about how it felt to be the world's best guitarist.
His response: "I don't know. Ask Prince". #PrinceGoneTooSoon
— Andrew Hickey ? (@andrewmhickey) April 22, 2016
Per my sister: When asked what it felt like to be the best guitarist alive, Eric Clapton replied, "I don't know. Ask #Prince." #RestInPurple
— Tiya Sircar (@tiyasircar) April 22, 2016
"How does it feel to be the best guitarist in the world?"
"I don't know, ask Prince." – Eric Clapton.
Nuff said. #RIPPrince
— What's causin' Aldis (@RealNickAldis) April 22, 2016
When asked what it feels like to be the best guitarist alive, Eric Clapton said, "I don't know. Ask Prince." #legend pic.twitter.com/rXmR60E09p
— lou (@dubois) April 22, 2016
When Eric Clapton was asked how it felt to be the world's greatest guitarist, he said: 'I don't know. Ask Prince'. #RIPPrince
— Tara Moss (@Tara_Moss) April 21, 2016
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.
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