Eric Clapton Says Justin Bieber Has 'Some Substance Now'

(Radio.com) Guitar legend Eric Clapton was disappointed when his three daughters, who range in age from 11 to 14, became Justin Bieber fans. Then he heard the pop star's latest music, and while he's not still exactly a "Belieber," he agreed, "It's got some substance now."

Clapton made the comment in a Billboard article that also addressed the guitar legend's new album I Still Do, which comes out May 20. The record features two originals and covers of songs by Robert Johnson, JJ Cale and Bob Dylan. While I Still Do is filled with Clapton's trademark acoustic and electric guitar licks the actual performances proved to be unexpectedly painful.

Right as he was going into the studio with Glyn Johns, who produced Slowhand with Clapton 40 years ago, the guitarist came down with an intense case of eczema. "It was a nightmare," he said. "I started thinking that it was psychosomatic, that maybe I was nervous. And maybe I was. Who knows? I had full-body eczema and it ended up my hands."

The back cover of I Still Do pictures Clapton's hand in a protective mitt holding the neck of a guitar; only his fingertips are exposed. Read more here.