Don’t sleep on this legendary George Harrison and Eric Clapton guitar duel on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” live in ’87, because the six-string icons leave their fretboards smokin’ here!

At the 1987 Prince’s Trust Rock Gala, George Harrison joined fellow former Beatle Ringo Starr to perform “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” The extensive lineup also brought together Jeff Lynne and Mark King, alongside Jools Holland, Elton John, Phil Collins and Eric Clapton. Harrison’s song therefore became a reunion for two members of The Beatles as well as a collaboration with several other major musicians.

Clapton’s involvement connected the concert rendition to the original studio version. He had contributed its celebrated guitar solo, an outside appearance that was highly uncommon within The Beatles’ recorded catalogue. Credits Clapton’s playing with helping define the song, making his participation with Harrison in 1987 especially notable.

At approximately 3:40 in the gala performance, Harrison and Clapton begin trading guitar solos. The publication regards their duel as one of rock ’n’ roll’s great moments, praising both their rapport and the force of their playing. Although the stage featured a large cast of distinguished performers, this exchange between the two guitarists forms the centerpiece of the rendition.

Also identifies the performance as one of Harrison’s best displays as a vocalist. It characterizes his singing as passionate, soulful and powerful, with the song demanding considerable effort from his voice. During his years in The Beatles, Harrison was known more as a guitarist than as a singer, and his individual vocal approach required time to develop. For the publication, the 1987 rendition demonstrates the results of that work.

The video went on to receive 26 million YouTube views. With that figure, it became the most-watched performance on the King’s Trust Music channel. The publication also highlights another performance from the later years of Harrison’s career: his live rendition of in this telling “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth).”

Watch the full performance on page two