MAY 19th -- Patti Boyd Harrison Clapton

On this day in 1979, Eric Clapton married Patti Boyd. Now I don’t normally care about the romantic entanglements of celebrities—except noticing the occasional sign that Jessica Biel seems unsatisfied with how JT has brought the sexy back and looks in need of some consoling—but the Clapton-Boyd nuptials were admittedly intriguing. For you music historians out there in the interwebs, Patti Boyd had previously been married to George Harrison of The Beatles, making her the 70’s version of Heather Locklear, except infinitely better. George Harrison and Eric Clapton? Toonsy bit more impressive than Tommy Lee and Richie Sambora. More impressive still are the songs that were written about pretty Patti. Lothario that Clapton was, he wrote “Layla” to woo her, despite the fact he was good buddies with George. And that probably should have sealed the deal, right? I mean Clapton wasn’t really playing fair, because he was God at that time (sorry for the sacrilege, but some dude did graffiti it on a wall—had to be true) and “Layla” is an incredible song. But it wasn’t quite so cut and dry. Because ole George was A. in the freaking Beatles and B. had already written a song about Patti. A little ditty called “Something.” Clapton eventually won out, but that’s two behemoth songs written about one little lady. Not to mention the fact that Patti still says that “Bell Bottom Blues” and “Wonderful Tonight” were also written about her (you’re getting greedy now, Patti). But, hey, Heather Locklear did go out without David Spade. So there’s that. Here’s to you, Patti Boyd. There must’ve been something in the way you moved, because you certainly had them on their knees. Cheers.

This day has been Marked.

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