Eric Clapton's MTV Unplugged

Photo Credit: Eric Clapton for MTV Unplugged

Paramount announces a restoration of Eric Clapton’s 1992 performance on “MTV Unplugged,” an expanded re-release of the famous set.

Taking inspiration from A24’s re-release of The Talking Heads’ concert film, Stop Making Sense, Paramount announces an updated restoration of Eric Clapton’s 1992 MTV Unplugged performance. Eric Clapton Unplugged… Over 30 Years Later, offers an expanded re-release of the famous set. The special will play in select theaters in the US and UK on January 27 and 28, before streaming on Paramount+ on February 12.

Clapton’s original Unplugged performance aired in 1992 and spawned an album that sold 26 million copies worldwide. The remastered version includes his acoustic performances of songs like “Tears in Heaven” and “Layla” and will expand on the original with bonus content. This includes previously unaired performances and an interview with Clapton where he discussed some of his musical inspirations before taking the stage.

Eric Clapton’s Unplugged album became the most successful live album of all time. Notably, he is the only 3x inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, having been inducted as a solo artist and a member of the Yardbirds and of Cream. As a solo artist, he has sold 100 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time.

But any hope that the special will do as well as The Talking Heads’ concert film might be misplaced. Eric Clapton released a new album in October and continues to make new music — but he’s also spent the past few years voicing controversial opinions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, it’s not as if controversial opinions are new for the artist; he was on record stating rhetoric like “Keep Britain white” years before his original MTV special aired.

The enhanced special is a unique collaboration with MTV, Surfdog Records, and Surfdog producer John Logsdon. Bruce Gillmer and Vanessa Whitewolf serve as executive producers for MTV along with Clapton, Michael Eaton, and Dave Kaplan. In addition, Alicia Portugal will serve as series executive in charge, with Lisa Lauricella as series music talent executive.