by Tom Painter, Pennington, NJ

I’m sure many people remember the original Electric Factory. The old tire warehouse, where townhouses now stand, at the corner of 22nd and Arch. I saw a lot of people there and did a lot of growing up there. One of my fondest memories is going to see B.B. King with Delaney and Bonnie opening. The completely unassuming guitar player, well off to the side with a can of Ortliebs beer on his amp, was Eric Clapton. I don’t think they even introduced him. He, quietly, as he always has, stood there and played his ass off as part of the band.

The show was about Delaney and Bonnie and their music. Clapton just wanted to fade into the band and be able to play his guitar. And he did. There was no hiding his enormous talent, though. This was the first time I saw B.B. King and it was a joyous show from B.B. as I have seen him do so many times over the years. B.B. is truly a national treasure. Pretty quietly amazing night at 22nd and Arch.