Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton

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Biography

Eric Clapton (30.3.1945) Eric Clapton is a British blues and rock guitarist, songwriter, singer and composer.

Childhood: Eric Clapton was born in Ripley, Surrey, to Patricia Clapton and Edward Fryer. His mother was 17 and his father was a 25-year-old soldier from Montreal. Before Eric's birth, his father was sent to war and then returned to Canada.

Eric Clapton was raised by his grandmother and her husband, believing that they were his real parents and that his mother was his older sister. Patricia later married another Canadian soldier and moved to Canada, leaving Eric to live with his grandparents.

On his 13th birthday, Eric Clapton was given a Hoyer acoustic guitar.

In 1961, Eric Clapton began studying at the Kingston College of Art, but was asked to leave at the end of the year, as his passions lay with music, rather than art. He started to busk around London and at the age of 17, he joined an early British R&B band, The Roosters as well as a brief stint with Casey Jones & The Engineers.

Music Career: Eric Clapton joined The Yardbirds in 1963. The band was influenced by the likes of Bb King, Buddy Guy and Freddie King. Their popularity grew when they took over the Rolling Stones' residency at Richmond's Crawdaddy Club. Their first major hit, 'For Your Love' came in 1965, just before Clapton left the band. The song had been written by Graham Gouldman, who also wrote songs for Herman's Hermits and The Hollies. When Clapton left The Yardbirds, he was replaced by Jeff Beck (Jimmy Page had already turned down the offer).

Clapton then joined John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, drawing worldwide attention to his guitar playing on Blues Breakers.

In July 1966, Eric Clapton left the Bluesbreakers (he was replaced by Peter Green). He went on to form Cream, with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. Though Clapton was still highly regarded as a guitarist, the emergence of Jimi Hendrix stole a little of his limelight. During his time in Cream, Eric Clapton collaborated with George Harrison of The Beatles, playing on Harrison's 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'.

After Cream split, Clapton formed Blind Faith with Steve Winwood (of the band Traffic), Ginger Baker and Ric Grech (of the band Family). They released just one self-titled LP and the band was relatively short-lived. Eric Clapton stepped away from the limelight for a time, playing with Delaney and Bonnie and Friends, as well as The Plastic Ono Band.

Eric Clapton released his debut solo album, entitled Eric Clapton in 1970. He then went on to form Derek and the Dominoes with Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle and Jim Gordon. It was during this time that he penned one of his biggest hits, 'Layla'. Much of his material written at this time is said to have been inspired by his unrequited affection for George Harrison's wife, Pattie Boyd. Duane Allman of The Allman Brothers played guitar for the Layla album.

For some time in the 1970s, Eric Clapton withdrew from public performance. In 1973, Pete Townsend of The Who organised a comeback concert for him.

Eric Clapton's 1974 album 461 Ocean Boulevard featured Marcella Detroit of Shakespear's Sister and contained a cover of Bob Marley's 'I Shot the Sheriff'.

During the 1980s, Eric Clapton continued to perform and record with a number of high-profile musicians. In 1984, her performed on Roger Waters' (of Pink Floyd) solo album, The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking. He also had two albums produced by Phil Collins (formerly of Genesis), 1985's Behind the Sun and 1986's August. The latter album featured 'Tearing Us Apart' with Tina Turner.

One of Eric Clapton's best-known albums, Journeyman, was released, featuring appearances from Mick Jones, Chaka Khan and Daryl Hall.

On Eric Clapton's 1990 tour, Steve Ray Vaughan (his guitarist at the time) and two members of their road crew were killed in a helicopter crash whilst traveling between concerts.

Two years later, Eric Clapton performed at Madison Square Garden in New York for Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary concert, along with Steve Cropper, Tom Petty and Neil Young. On his 1994 album From the Cradle, Eric Clapton played revised versions of old blues standards. At the end of the century, Clapton could be found collaborating with B.B. King and Carlos Santana.

The next millennium continued to be a prolific one for Eric Clapton as he continued to perform and collaborate with the likes of Ravi Shankar, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and Jeff Lynne (at a tribute to George Harrison) and released two albums full of covers of Robert Johnson covers. In October 2009, Eric Clapton was chosen as one of the performers at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 25th anniversary concert along with U2, Van Morrison and Jeff Beck.



Biography by Contactmusic.com

Eric Clapton: The Era Of The Guitar Could Be Over


Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton thinks the era of the guitar may be ''over''.

The 72-year-old icon is widely known as being one of the most influential guitarists of all time, but he has admitted the instrument faces an uncertain future as other sounds take over the airwaves.

He said: ''I'm out of touch. I mean, I don't know what's going on. I don't know where it's gonna go either. I think anything that has a natural process will end up where it's supposed to be.

Continue reading: Eric Clapton: The Era Of The Guitar Could Be Over

Eric Clapton: Live At The Royal Albert Hall Trailer


Eric Clapton is well known as a pioneering and influential guitarist who has released numerous albums over his 53 year career, becoming the only rocker to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times, winning a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award for his involvement in the band Cream and even landing an OBE and later CBE at Buckingham Palace. As a solo artist he's topped charts both in the UK and US with albums such as 1974's '461 Ocean Boulevard' and 1994's 'From the Cradle', and has brought the world to their feet with such songs as 'I Shot the Sheriff', 'Wonderful Tonight', 'Tears in Heaven', 'Layla' and 'Change the World'. He took the best of his extensive back catalogue to The Royal Albert Hall in London earlier this year, in celebration of his 70th birthday, and proved he certainly hasn't lost it.

Continue: Eric Clapton: Live At The Royal Albert Hall Trailer

Hear Eric Clapton On Previously Unreleased Alternate Take Of The Rolling Stones' 'Brown Sugar'


Rolling Stones Eric Clapton Mick Jagger Keith Richards

The Rolling Stones have shared a previously unheard version of classic track ‘Brown Sugar’, featuring Eric Clapton on guitar. The alternate take was made public just days before it appears on the reissue of the band’s 1971 album Sticky Fingers, which hits on June 8th.

Rolling stonesThe Rolling Stones are reissuing Sticky Fingers later this month.

The version was said to have been recorded during a birthday party for Keith Richards and saxophone player Bobby Keys and has been cleaned up for the reissue. The cut also features Al Kooper on piano in place of Ian Stewart, whose version appears on Sticky Fingers.

Continue reading: Hear Eric Clapton On Previously Unreleased Alternate Take Of The Rolling Stones' 'Brown Sugar'

Famous Fans And Friends Pay Tribute To Blues Legend BB King


Bb King Eric Clapton

Tributes from the wold of music and beyond have poured in for blues legend B.B. King who died on Thursday in Las Vegas aged 89. King will be remembered as one of the pioneers of blues music as well as for his trademark guitar playing style, which has influenced generations of musicians.

BB KingTributes have been paid to King by some of the biggest names in music. 

King’s longtime friend, Chicago blues guitarist Buddy Guy led the tributes with a heartfelt message posted on his Instagram page. “This morning, I come to you all with a heavy heart,” he wrote. “Bb King was the greatest guy I ever met. The tone he got out of that guitar, the way he shook his left wrist, the way he squeezed the strings… man, he came out with that and it was all new to the whole guitar playin’ world."

Continue reading: Famous Fans And Friends Pay Tribute To Blues Legend BB King

Fellow Musicians Honour The Late Jack Bruce


Jack Bruce Eric Clapton Cream

Following the death of Cream bassist Jack Bruce (71) fans, friends and colleagues have been quick to express their condolences. Many have mentioned that Bruce’s playing changed the face of rock forever. Bruce played his bass like a second guitar, never taking a backseat in the three-piece band.

Jack Bruce
Jack Bruce's ecclectic style left a mark on the progressive bassists that came after him.

Bruce put his jazz background to work in Cream and his melodic fills and rhythmic diversity became part of the band’s signature style. He was one of the reasons why Cream became one of the best live acts of their day and went on to spawn a whole movement of psychedelic rock with bassists from Free's Andy Fraser to King Crimson's John Wetton to Rush's Geddy Lee to Weather Report's Jaco Pastorius building on Bruce’s style.

Continue reading: Fellow Musicians Honour The Late Jack Bruce

10 Things You Didn't Know About Eric Clapton


Eric Clapton

Guitar legend Eric Clapton has announced he’s might be quitting touring after over 50 years on the road. The 69 year revealed in a recent interview with Uncut magazine that touring had become “unbearable” and “unapproachable.” So in celebration of Clapton’s lengthily live career (including his Glasgow gig earlier in the week) we’ve dug up some interesting facts about the guitarist. Here’s 10 things you might now know about Slowhands. 

Eric ClaptonClapton might be about to give up touring for good

1. Clapton could have been a stained glass artist

Continue reading: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton Ponders Retirement As The Stresses Of Touring Bring Him Down


Eric Clapton

It’s tough, travelling the world to entertain hundreds of thousands of people at sold out venues, especially when you’re approaching 70. And that’s something guitar legend Eric Clapton is slowly starting to realise.

Eric ClaptonEric Clapton might not be doing this for much longer

“There are tons of things I’d like to do but I’m looking at retirement too. I’m 70 next year. I think what I’ll allow myself to do, within reason, is carry on recording in the studio,” he told Uncut magazine. “I don’t want to go off the boil to the point where I’m embarrassing myself. The road has become unbearable. It’s unapproachable, because it takes so long to get anywhere - and it’s hostile,” he added.

Continue reading: Eric Clapton Ponders Retirement As The Stresses Of Touring Bring Him Down

Eric Clapton Apologizes To Concertgoers For Walking Out Of Glasgow Show


Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton was forced to apologize to his fans for walking out of a concert in mid-performance.

The rock legend left the sold-out crowd at Glasgow's SSE Hydro very angry after by storming off the stage just over an hour into the show on Saturday (June 21st).

Clapton's decision was met with a chorus of boos, and some concertgoers were even demanding a full refund after spending £125 on a single ticket.

Continue reading: Eric Clapton Apologizes To Concertgoers For Walking Out Of Glasgow Show

Eric Clapton - Eric Clapton performs at the SSE Hydro within the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) - Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom - Saturday 21st June 2014

Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton And Friends Unite To Honor Jj Cale Legacy In New Release 'The Breeze' Released In The Uk July 28th 2014

Posted on02 May 2014

Eric Clapton And Friends Unite To Honor Jj Cale Legacy In New Release 'The Breeze' Released In The UK  July 28th 2014

It's That Time Of Year Again! New Orleans Jazz Festival Returns With Another Two Weekends Of Music Mythology


Eric Clapton Carlos Santana Laura Mvula The Avett Brothers Robert Plant Phish Robin Thicke Vampire Weekend Solange Knowles The String Cheese Incident Chaka Khan Christina Aguilera Alabama Shakes Bruce Springsteen Trey Songz Foster The People Arcade Fire Bobby Womack

New Orleans Jazz Festival 2014 logo

It's that time of year again where New Orleans go all out to prove they are one of the most culturally rich cities in North America with their annual two-weekend event, the New Orleans Jazz Festival.

The Jazz Festival has expanded to two long weekends since its inaugural year in 1970, meaning that more people than ever can get the chance to enjoy the fine music culture of Louisiana. The Queen of Gospel Mahalia Jackson appeared at the first event alongside renowned orchestral composer Duke Ellington, and from then on the festival has gone from strength to strength and has never once lost the spirit that has made it so loved.

Continue reading: It's That Time Of Year Again! New Orleans Jazz Festival Returns With Another Two Weekends Of Music Mythology

Eric Clapton Sunday 12th July 2009 Bunbury charity cricket match - Cranleigh v Eric Clapton X1 Surrey, England

Eric Clapton
Perry Groves and Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton Quick Links

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Eric Clapton

Date of birth

30th March, 1945

Occupation

Musician

Sex

Male

Height

1.77




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Eric Clapton Movies

Eric Clapton: Live At The Royal Albert Hall Trailer

Eric Clapton: Live At The Royal Albert Hall Trailer

Eric Clapton is well known as a pioneering and influential guitarist who has released numerous...

Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 Trailer

Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 Trailer

The Crossroads Guitar Festival hit Madison Square Garden in April this year with tickets selling...

The Last Waltz Movie Review

The Last Waltz Movie Review

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