In 2023, John Mayer pulled off an impossible performance that convinced rock/pop fans that he’s “the Eric Clapton of our generation” as the clip went viral with more than 210,000 views. And even Eric Clapton himself is said to be a Mayer fan after the then-45-year-old guitarist managed to hold an entire stadium enchanted without the aid of a backing band.

Performing “Edge of Desire” – a song originally released on John’s 2009 album, “Battle Studies” – live on tour in Toronto, Canada, Music Man readers can watch the magic unfold in the viral video below…

Wielding a double-necked acoustic guitar, John lets virtuosic riffs flow from his fretboards, the song starting out like some form of meditation soundtrack before its beatless ambience locks into the rhythm of a complicated plucked intro which picks up hints of The Police’s “Every Breath You Take.”

Before long, his velvet vocals are fleshing out the atmosphere, deep, pitch-perfect, and as beautifully toned as a studio recording. At this point, Mayer’s audience is completely silent as they listen to the mastermind nail what some fans are calling “one of the hardest songs to sing while playing guitar.” And as it all plays out, some fans have even gone so far as to call this a “superhuman performance” from “an artist in his prime.”

But other than perfecting the mind-melting intricacies of the song, what’s got fans so enchanted? For one viewer, it’s the cleanliness of John’s rendition, each sparkling note perfectly placed and balanced; while for others, it’s the fact that John dares to play this song on a 12-string guitar, amping up its mystic mood and “wonderful feeling,” as one fan described it.

Another fan spoke for hundreds when they realized how high John has raised the bar, commenting, “I love how John is constantly pushing himself to a next level – what an inspiration!”

It’s hardly surprising that John Mayer’s live performances have earned the attention of guitar god Eric Clapton, who has called Mayer “extremely gifted” and “a master.”

John Mayer, a lifelong fan of Clapton’s, revealed in a 2005 interview, “Eric Clapton is the greatest guitar player to me.” So, when Clapton called upon Mayer to provide guitar work on his 2014 song, “Magnolia,” it marked a full-circle moment for the star. The pair have even joined forces for a number of live duets – one of which our readers can discover in the second video above!

John Mayer’s Toronto performance confirmed why many call him the modern Eric Clapton — a masterful, solo display of guitar artistry that held a stadium spellbound. If you want to experience the viral clip and explore more from Mayer’s work, check the useful links below to discover videos, recordings and further reading.