Extraordinary Stories

Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight” guitar

“His best friend at the time”: Eric Clapton wrote the celebrated love song Wonderful Tonight on this 1974 Martin acoustic guitar. He played it on tour and in the studio. He held his cigarettes under the strings on its headstock.

As the guitar prepares to go under the hammer in our Rock, Pop & Film: The “Wonderful Tonight” Guitar auction on 12 June, Bonhams Head of Popular Culture Claire Tole-Moir and journalist and broadcaster John Wilson explore what this guitar meant to Clapton during the 1970s, at the height of his creativity:

“Owned by one of the great guitarists at the height of his creative powers, writing one of the great love songs of all times”

— John Wilson, Journalist & Broadcaster

Eric Clapton: The Martin 000-28 Flat-Top Acoustic Guitar Used By Clapton To Compose The Timeless Ballad Wonderful Tonight, His Love Song To Pattie Boyd, 1974. Estimate: £300,000 - £400,000

Eric Clapton: The Martin 000-28 Flat-Top Acoustic Guitar Used By Clapton To Compose The Timeless Ballad Wonderful Tonight, His Love Song To Pattie Boyd, 1974. Estimate: £300,000 - £400,000

AUCTION

Rock, Pop & Film:

The “Wonderful Tonight” Guitar

12 June | London, Knightsbridge