Six Degrees of Eric Clapton (Part One)

Have you ever wondered how a song makes the play list at a classic rock station? There is a bad rumor going around that all of the music is picked by computers, or that they use the fettled advice from some ponytail and goatee wearing consultant who couldn't get a real radio job. But no, they use the heretofore very secret "Six Degrees of Eric Clapton" method of selecting songs. 

It's a lot like the "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" game, and if you're not familiar with that, don't worry butterball, Dick Gregory is on his way over to tear down your wall and get you out into the sunlight. 

Here's how it goes: Eric Clapton is God, and for any band to be played on a classic rock station they cannot be removed from God by more than six degrees. For example, here's an easy one: The Allman Brothers' Duane Allman played with Eric in Derrick and the Dominoes. Hence, the Allmans are once removed from God. 

Take a look. It works for any band on classic rock radio but remember, these are not always the fastest routes, sometimes they are just the most fun. 

Abba: Tom Dowd started out as an engineer on a couple of Cream albums. He went on to produce for Abba and Clapton. Abba is 2 degrees removed from God.

AC/DC: Former Manfred Mann's Earthband drummer, Chris Slade joined the band in 1989 to replace Simon Wright. Jack Bruce was in Manfred Mann before he joined Cream. AC/DC is 3 degrees removed from God. 

Ace: Poco's Rusty Young plays steel guitar on Ace's second album. Poco had a couple of albums produced by Steve Cropper. Cropper was in Booker T and the MG's with Duck Dunn, who played in Clapton's band for a couple of tours. Ace is 4 degrees removed from God. 

Adam & the Ants: Bass player Gary Tibbs was in Roxy Music after John Wetton left. Wetton played bass in Family after Ric Grech left to join Blind Faith with Clapton. Adam is 3 degrees removed from God. 

Aerosmith: Aerosmith are in the movie Sgt. Pepper with Peter Frampton. Frampton was in Humble Pie with Steve Marriott, who Small Faces with Ronnie Lane. Lane played with Clapton and Pete Townshend on the Rough Mix album. Aerosmith is 4 degrees removed from God.