Eric clapton biography deutsch drahthaar pdf

English musician, singer, and composer (born 1945)

This article is progress the musician. For his single, see Eric Clapton (album).

Eric Apostle ClaptonCBE (born 30 March 1945) is an English musician, songstress, songwriter, and record producer. Grace is regarded as one hint at the most successful and powerful guitarists in rock music.^[2] Grace ranked second in Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Central point Guitarists of All Time"^[3] nearby fourth in Gibson's "Top 50 Guitarists of All Time".^[4] Proceed was named number five obligate Time magazine's list of "The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players" in 2009.^[5]

After playing in marvellous number of different local bands, Clapton joined the Yardbirds hold up 1963 to 1965, and Lavatory Mayall & the Bluesbreakers 1965 to 1966.

After parting Mayall, he formed the intensity trioCream with drummer Ginger Baker and bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, lecture in which Clapton played sustained gloom improvisations and "arty, blues-based colourful pop".^[6] After four successful albums, Cream broke up in Nov 1968. Clapton then formed honourableness blues rock band Blind Piety with Baker, Steve Winwood, tell off Ric Grech, recording one textbook and performing on one outing before they broke up.

Clapton then toured with Delaney & Bonnie and recorded his precede solo album in 1970, formerly forming Derek and the Dominoes with Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle and Jim Gordon. Like Irrational Faith, the band only lasted one album, Layla and Ruin Assorted Love Songs, which includes "Layla", one of Clapton's block songs.

Clapton continued to transcribe a number of successful albums and songs over rendering next several decades, including well-ordered 1974 cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" (which helped reggae reach a extensive market),^[7] the country-infused Slowhand tome (1977) and the pop tor of 1986's August.

Following high-mindedness death of his son Conor in 1991, Clapton's grief was expressed in the song "Tears in Heaven", which appeared fondness his Unplugged album. In 1996 he had another top-40 fortune with the R&B crossover "Change the World". In 1998, stylishness released the Grammy award-winning "My Father's Eyes".

Since 1999, earth has recorded a number be in opposition to traditional blues and blues seesaw albums and hosted the cyclical Crossroads Guitar Festival. His current studio album, Meanwhile, was unattached in 2024.

Clapton has established 18 Grammy Awards as sufficiently as the Brit Award commandeer Outstanding Contribution to Music.^[8][9] Rivet 2004, he was awarded far-out CBE for services to music.^[10] He has received four Ivor Novello Awards from the Land Academy of Songwriters, Composers come to rest Authors, including the Lifetime Deed Award.

He is the unique three-time inductee to the Tor and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo head, and separately as a colleague of the Yardbirds and entrap Cream. In his solo vitality, he has sold 100 heap records worldwide, making him tending of the best-selling musicians recognize all time.^[11] In 1998, Clapton, a recovering alcoholic and pharmaceutical addict, founded the Crossroads Palsy-walsy on Antigua, a medical proficiency for those recovering from power abuse.^[12]

Early life

Clapton was born jump 30 March 1945 in Ripley, Surrey, England, to 16-year-old Patricia Molly Clapton (1929–1999) and Prince Walter Fryer (1920–1985), a 25-year-old soldier from Montreal, Quebec.^[13] Frier was drafted to war beforehand Clapton's birth and then complementary to Canada.

Clapton grew encroachment believing that his grandmother, Coral, and her second husband, Ensign Clapp, Patricia's stepfather, were circlet parents, and that his local was actually his older suckle. The similarity in surnames gave rise to the erroneous assurance that Clapton's real surname psychoanalysis Clapp (Reginald Cecil Clapton was the name of Rose's labour husband, Eric Clapton's maternal grandfather).^[14] Years later, his mother ringed another Canadian soldier and stirred to Germany,^[15] leaving Eric reduce his grandparents in Surrey.^[16]

Clapton ordinary an acoustic Hoyer guitar, flat in Germany, for his 13th birthday, but the inexpensive steel-stringed instrument was difficult to frolic and he briefly lost interest.^[16] Two years later he beloved it up again and under way playing consistently.^[16] He was feigned by blues music from drawing early age, and practised stretched hours learning the chords go with blues music by playing on to the records.^[17] He cured his practice sessions using enthrone portable Grundig reel-to-reel tape equipment, listening to them over tell off over until he was satisfied.^[17][18]

In 1961, after leaving Hollyfield Institute in Surbiton, he studied adventure the Kingston College of Order but was expelled at high-mindedness end of the academic twelvemonth because his focus had remained on music rather than divulge.

His guitar playing was amply advanced that, by the flames of 16, he was acquiring noticed.^[18] Around this time, let go began busking around Kingston, Richmond, and the West End.^[19] Love 1962, he started performing pass for a duo with fellow gloominess enthusiast Dave Brock in pubs around Surrey.^[18] When he was 17, he joined his extreme band, an early British R&B group, the Roosters, whose molest guitarist was Tom McGuinness.

Fiasco stayed with them from Jan until August 1963.^[12] In Oct of that year, he utter a seven-gig stint with Casey Jones & the Engineers.^[12]

Career

The Yardbirds and the Bluesbreakers

Main articles: Excellence Yardbirds and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers

In October 1963, Clapton joined the Yardbirds, a lilt and blues band, and stayed with them until March 1965.

Synthesising influences from Chicago reminiscent and leading blues guitarists specified as Buddy Guy, Freddie Produce an effect, and B.B. King, Clapton fake a distinctive style and like a flash became one of the virtually talked-about guitarists in the Land music scene.^[20] The band in the early stages played Chess/Checker/Vee-Jay blues numbers extra began to attract a substantial cult following when they took over the Rolling Stones' lodgings at the Crawdaddy Club provide Richmond, London.

They toured England with American bluesman Sonny Youth Williamson II; a joint Whole album, recorded in December 1963, was issued in 1965.

Yardbirds' rhythm guitarist, Chris Dreja, associate that whenever Clapton broke excellent guitar string during a put yourself out, he would stay on take advantage of and replace it.

The Frankly audiences would wait out picture delay by doing what esteem called a "slow handclap". Clapton's nickname of "Slowhand" came let alone Giorgio Gomelsky, a pun bond the slow handclapping that ensued when Clapton stopped playing childhood he replaced a string.^[22] Magnify December 1964, Clapton made climax first appearance at the Imperial Albert Hall in London, sign out the Yardbirds.^[21] Since then, Clapton has performed at the Charm over 200 times, and has stated that performing at righteousness venue is like "playing inconvenience my front room".^[23][24]

In March 1965, Clapton and the Yardbirds difficult to understand their first major hit, "For Your Love", written by composer Graham Gouldman, who also wrote hit songs for Herman's Hermits and the Hollies (and subsequent achieved success of his take it easy as a member of 10cc).

In part because of corruption success, the Yardbirds elected flavour move toward a pop-orientated trustworthy, much to the annoyance be in opposition to Clapton, who was devoted choose the blues and not cost-effective success. He left the Yardbirds on the day that "For Your Love" went public, cool move that left the come together without its lead guitarist take precedence most accomplished member.

Clapton recommended fellow guitarist Jimmy Page monkey his replacement, but Page declined out of loyalty to Clapton,^[25] putting Jeff Beck forward.^[20] Burn and Page played together withdraw the Yardbirds for a patch, but Beck, Page, and Clapton were never in the remoteness together. They first appeared closely in 1983 on the 12-date benefit tour for Action keep watch on Research into multiple sclerosis get together the first date on 23 September at the Royal Albert Hall.^[26]

Clapton joined John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in April 1965, only to quit a insufficient months later.

In June, Clapton was invited to jam care Jimmy Page, recording a broadcast of tracks that were retroactively credited to The Immediate All-Stars. In the summer of 1965 he left for Greece rigging a band called the Glands, which included his old chum Ben Palmer on piano. Astern a car crash that deal with the bassist and injured high-mindedness guitarist of the Greek closure the Juniors, on 17 Oct 1965 the surviving members stilted memorial shows in which Clapton played with the band.^[27] Bring October 1965 he rejoined Lav Mayall.

In March 1966, for ages c in depth still a member of justness Bluesbreakers, Clapton briefly collaborated troupe a side project with Pennon Bruce and Steve Winwood amidst others, recording only a insufficient tracks under the name Eric Clapton and the Powerhouse. Generous his second Bluesbreakers stint, Clapton gained a reputation as integrity best blues guitarist on honesty club circuit.

Although Clapton gained fame for playing on nobleness influential album, Blues Breakers – John Mayall – With Eric Clapton, this album was throng together released until he had leftist the band for the take time in July 1966. Nobleness album itself is often denominated The Beano Album by fans because of its cover sketch account showing Clapton reading the Nation children's comic The Beano.^[28]

Having swapped his Fender Telecaster and Vox AC30 amplifier for a 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard bass and Marshall amplifier, Clapton's boom and playing inspired the eminent slogan "Clapton is God", spray-painted by an unknown admirer active a wall in Islington, Northmost London in 1967.^[29] The graffiti was captured in a now-famous photograph, in which a hound is urinating on the disclose.

Clapton is reported to take been embarrassed by the 1 saying in his The Southmost Bank Show profile in 1987, "I never accepted that Farcical was the greatest guitar sportsman in the world. I universally wanted to be the sterling guitar player in the earth, but that's an ideal, prep added to I accept it as ending ideal".^[30]

Cream

Main article: Cream (band)

Clapton leftwing the Bluesbreakers in July 1966 (replaced by Peter Green) existing was invited by drummer Baker to play in circlet newly formed band Cream, twin of the earliest supergroups, adhere to Jack Bruce on bass (Bruce was previously of the Bluesbreakers, the Graham Bond Organisation trip Manfred Mann).^[31] Before the assembly of Cream, Clapton was war cry well known in the Affiliated States; he left the Yardbirds before "For Your Love" nail the US top ten, service had yet to perform there.^[32] During his time with Not reserved, Clapton began to develop whilst a singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, though Bruce took most sharing the lead vocals and wrote the majority of the cloth with lyricist Pete Brown.^[20] Cream's first gig was an unpublicized performance at the Twisted Rotation Club in Manchester on 29 July 1966 before their complete debut two nights later doubtful the National Jazz and Melancholy Festival in Windsor.

Cream overfriendly its enduring legend with blue blood the gentry high-volume blues jamming and lenghty solos of their live shows.

By early 1967, fans infer the emerging blues-rock sound principal the UK had begun contain portray Clapton as Britain's specially guitarist; however, he found rivalled by the emergence outline Jimi Hendrix, an acid rock-infused guitarist who used wailing answer and effects pedals to beget new sounds for the instrument.^[33] Hendrix attended a performance commemorate the newly formed Cream press-gang the Central London Polytechnic discontinue 1 October 1966, during which he sat in on exceptional double-timed version of "Killing Floor".^[33] Top UK stars, including Clapton, Pete Townshend and members mislay the Rolling Stones and excellence Beatles, avidly attended Hendrix's inconvenient club performances.

Hendrix's arrival challenging an immediate and major outcome on the next phase a selection of Clapton's career.^[34]

Clapton first visited blue blood the gentry United States while touring awaken Cream. In March 1967, Mortify performed a nine-show stand parallel the RKO Theater in Creative York.

Clapton's 1964 painted Player SG guitar – The Agitate – a "psychedelic fantasy", according to Clapton,^[35] made its launch at the RKO Theater. Clapton used the guitar for near of Cream's recordings after Fresh Cream, particularly on Disraeli Gears, until the band broke tribe in 1968.^[36] One of ethics world's best-known guitars, it symbolises the psychedelic era.^[36] They reliable Disraeli Gears in New Royalty from 11 to 15 May well 1967.

Cream's repertoire varied let alone hard rock ("I Feel Free") to lengthy blues-based instrumental jams ("Spoonful"). Disraeli Gears contained Clapton's searing guitar lines, Bruce's eminent vocals and prominent, fluid deep-toned playing, and Baker's powerful, polyrhythmic jazz-influenced drumming. Together, Cream's power secured them as an essential power trio.

Clapton's voice pot be heard on Frank Zappa's album We're Only in Network for the Money, on position tracks "Are You Hung Up?" and "Nasal Retentive Calliope Music".

In 28 months, Cream locked away become a commercial success, interchange millions of records and exhibition throughout the US and Accumulation. They redefined the instrumentalist's part in rock and were undeniable of the first blues-rock bands to emphasise musical virtuosity lecture lengthy jazz-style improvisation sessions.

Their US hit singles include "Sunshine of Your Love" (No. 5, 1968), "White Room" (No. 6, 1968) and "Crossroads" (No. 28, 1969) – a live type of Robert Johnson's "Cross Commonplace Blues". Though Cream were hailed as one of the delivery groups of its day, last the adulation of Clapton pass for a guitar legend reached latest heights, the supergroup was inform.

Drug and alcohol use escalated tension between the three chapters, and conflicts between Bruce skull Baker eventually led to Cream's demise. A strongly critical Rolling Stone review of a take the trouble of the group's second sidereal US tour was another register factor in the trio's dying, and it affected Clapton profoundly.^[37] Clapton has also credited Music from Big Pink, the first showing album of The Band, instruction its revolutionary Americana sound on account of influencing his decision to call off Cream.^[38][39]

Cream's farewell album, Goodbye, umbrella live performances recorded at Honourableness Forum, Los Angeles, on 19 October 1968, was released by and by after Cream disbanded.

It extremely spawned the studio single "Badge", co-written by Clapton and Martyr Harrison (Clapton had met gain become close friends with Actor after the Beatles shared a- bill with the Clapton-era Yardbirds at the London Palladium). Recovered 1968, Clapton played the main attraction guitar solo on Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", give birth to the Beatles' self-titled double notebook (also known as the "White Album").

Harrison's debut solo manual, Wonderwall Music (1968), became greatness first of many Harrison lone records to include Clapton order guitar. Clapton went largely nameless for his contributions to Harrison's albums due to contractual cords, and Harrison was credited gorilla "L'Angelo Misterioso" for his charity to the song "Badge" anticipation Goodbye.

The pair often feigned live together as each other's guest. A year after Harrison's death in 2001, Clapton was musical director for the Unanimity for George.^[40]

In January 1969, as the Beatles were recording humbling filming what became Let Luxuriate Be, tensions became so tremendous that Harrison quit the advance for several days, prompting Lav Lennon to suggest they mellow the project with Clapton providing Harrison did not return.^[41]Michael Lindsay-Hogg, television director of the put on video sessions for Let It Be, later recalled: "I was at hand when John mentioned Clapton – but that wasn't going go-slow happen.

Would Eric have mature a Beatle? No. Paul [McCartney] didn't want to go nearby. He didn't want them become break up. Then George came back."^[42] Clapton was on positive terms with all four dig up the Beatles; in December 1968 he had played with Songster at The Rolling Stones Vibrate and Roll Circus as items of the one-off group rectitude Dirty Mac.^[43]

Cream briefly reunited unembellished 1993 to perform at loftiness ceremony inducting them into righteousness Rock and Roll Hall supplementary Fame.

A full reunion took place in May 2005, adhere to Clapton, Bruce and Baker about four sold-out concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall,^[44] and connect shows at New York's President Square Garden that October.^[45] Recordings from the London shows, Royal Albert Hall London May 2-3-5-6, 2005, were released on Recite, LP and DVD in inestimable 2005.^[46]

Blind Faith

Main article: Blind Faith

Clapton's next group, Blind Faith, erudite in 1969, was composed show consideration for Cream drummer Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood of Traffic, and Ric Grech of Family, and damages one LP and one arena-circuit tour.

The supergroup debuted formerly 100,000 fans in London's Hyde Park on 7 June 1969.^[47] They performed several dates pride Scandinavia and began a sold-out American tour in July earlier their only album was loose. The LP Blind Faith consisted of just six songs, singular of them the hit "Can't Find My Way Home". Regarding, "Presence of the Lord", disintegration the first song credited to Clapton.^[48] The album's covering image of a topless sericeous girl was deemed controversial currency the US and was replaced by a photograph of rectitude band.

Blind Faith dissolved equate less than seven months.^[49]

Delaney & Bonnie and first solo album

Main article: Delaney & Bonnie

Clapton quickly toured as a sideman protect an act that had unbolt for Blind Faith, Delaney concentrate on Bonnie and Friends. He very performed as a member exert a pull on Lennon's Plastic Ono Band encounter the Toronto Rock and Reel Revival in September 1969, span recording from which was free as the album Live Serenity in Toronto 1969.^[50] On 30 September, Clapton played lead bass on Lennon's second solo celibate, "Cold Turkey".^[51] On 15 Dec that year, Clapton performed resume Lennon, Harrison and others sort the Plastic Ono Supergroup enviable a fundraiser for UNICEF assume London.^[50]

Delaney Bramlett encouraged Clapton fall apart his singing and writing.

Wear and tear the Bramletts' backing group concentrate on an all-star cast of seating players (including Leon Russell settle down Stephen Stills), Clapton recorded her majesty first solo album during one brief tour hiatuses, titled Eric Clapton. Delaney Bramlett co-wrote shake up of the songs with Clapton, also producing the LP,^[52] accept Bonnie Bramlett co-wrote "Let Deafening Rain".^[53] The album yielded excellence unexpected US No. 18 hit, Number.

J. Cale's "After Midnight". Clapton also worked with much have a phobia about Delaney and Bonnie's band suck up to record George Harrison's All Facets Must Pass in spring 1970.

During this period, Clapton likewise recorded with artists such likewise Dr. John, Leon Russell, He-goat Preston, Ringo Starr and Dave Mason.

With Chicago blues grandmaster Howlin' Wolf, he recorded The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions, make certain also included long-time Wolf instrumentalist Hubert Sumlin and members conjure the Rolling Stones, Winwood careful Starr.^[54] Despite the superstar bunch, critic Cub Koda noted: "Even Eric Clapton, who usually welcomes any chance to play staunch one of his idols, has criticized this album repeatedly observe interviews, which speaks volumes name and of itself."^[54] Other illustrious recordings from this period lean Clapton's guitar work on "Go Back Home" from Stephen Stills' self-titled first solo album.^[55]

Derek skull the Dominos

Main article: Derek bracket the Dominos

With the intention personal counteracting the "star" cult circle that had begun to identical around him, Clapton assembled straight new band composed of Delaney and Bonnie's former rhythm piece of meat, Bobby Whitlock as keyboardist deliver vocalist, Carl Radle as loftiness bassist, and drummer Jim Gordon, with Clapton playing guitar.

Bloom was his intention to event that he need not pack a starring role, and functioned well as a member honor an ensemble.^[56] During this lifetime, Clapton was increasingly influenced induce The Band and their 1968 album Music from Big Pink, saying: "What I appreciated volume the Band was that they were more concerned with songs and singing.

They would conspiracy three- and four-part harmonies, stream the guitar was put give back into perspective as being endorsement. That suited me well, considering I had gotten so clapped out of the virtuosity – haul pseudo-virtuosity – thing of well along, boring guitar solos just since they were expected.

The Faction brought things back into viewpoint. The priority was the song."^[57]

The band was originally called "Eric Clapton and Friends". The due name was a fluke guarantee occurred when the band's cautious name of "Del and prestige Dynamos" was misread as Derek and the Dominos.^[58] Clapton's story states that Tony Ashton end Ashton, Gardner and Dyke pick up Clapton to call the assemblage "Del and the Dominos", because "Del" was his nickname care for Eric Clapton.

Del and Eric were combined and the in response name became "Derek and loftiness Dominos".^[59]

Clapton's close friendship with Martyr Harrison brought him into appeal with Harrison's wife, Pattie Boyd, with whom he became acutely infatuated. When she spurned empress advances, Clapton's unrequited affections prompted most of the material emancipation the Dominos' album Layla present-day Other Assorted Love Songs (1970).

Heavily blues-influenced, the album attributes the twin lead guitars handle Clapton and Duane Allman, disagree with Allman's slide guitar as practised key ingredient of the expression. Working at Criteria Studios fulfil Miami with Atlantic Records fabricator Tom Dowd, who had pretended with Clapton on Cream's Disraeli Gears, the band recorded straighten up double album.

The album restricted the hit love song "Layla", inspired by the classical maker of Persian literature, Nizami Ganjavi's The Story of Layla beginning Majnun, a copy of which Ian Dallas had given reach Clapton. The book moved Clapton profoundly, as it was primacy tale of a young fellow who fell hopelessly in warmth with a beautiful, unavailable girl and went crazy because perform could not marry her.^[60][61] Righteousness two parts of "Layla" were recorded in separate sessions: probity opening guitar section was authentic first, and for the alternate section, laid down a embargo weeks later, drummer Jim Gordon played the piano part confirm the melody, which he alleged to have written (though Policeman Whitlock stated that Rita President wrote it).^[59]

The Layla LP was actually recorded by a five-piece version of the group, handle to the unforeseen inclusion epitome guitarist Duane Allman of rectitude Allman Brothers Band.

A rare days into the Layla gathering, Dowd – who was extremely producing the Allmans – allowed Clapton to an Allman Brothers outdoor concert in Miami. Blue blood the gentry two guitarists met first adhere stage, then played all nocturnal in the studio, and became friends. Duane first added authority slide guitar to "Tell high-mindedness Truth" and "Nobody Knows Boss around When You're Down and Out".

In four days, the five-piece Dominos recorded "Key to significance Highway", "Have You Ever Cherished a Woman" (a blues short popularised by Freddie King post others) and "Why Does Devotion Got to be So Sad?" In September, Duane briefly neglected the sessions for gigs twig his own band, and grandeur four-piece Dominos recorded "I Looked Away", "Bell Bottom Blues" promote "Keep on Growing".

Allman shared to record "I Am Yours", "Anyday" and "It's Too Late". On 9 September, they factual Hendrix's "Little Wing" and class title track. The following passable, the final track, "It's Extremely Late", was recorded.^[62]

Tragedy dogged picture group throughout its brief activity.

During the sessions, Clapton was devastated by news of rectitude death of Jimi Hendrix; put in days previously the band difficult cut a cover of "Little Wing" as a tribute. Maintain 17 September 1970, one gift before Hendrix's death, Clapton confidential purchased a left-handedFender Stratocaster range he had planned to bear to Hendrix as a epicurean treat gift.

Adding to Clapton's woes, Layla received only lukewarm reviews upon release. The shaken calling undertook a US tour out Allman, who had returned designate the Allman Brothers Band. Discredit Clapton's later admission that picture tour took place amid uncut blizzard of drugs and the bottle, it resulted in the physical double album In Concert.^[63]

Recording good buy a second Dominos studio past performance was underway when a conflict of egos took place tube Clapton walked out, thus disbanding the group.

Allman was stick in a motorcycle accident dupe 29 October 1971. Clapton wrote later in his autobiography depart he and Allman were unconquerable during the Layla sessions neat Florida; he talked about Allman as the "musical brother I'd never had but wished Wild did".^[64] Although Radle remained Clapton's bass player until the season of 1979 (Radle died renovate May 1980 from the paraphernalia of alcohol and narcotics), representative was not until 2003 consider it Clapton and Whitlock appeared squeezed together again; Clapton guested on Whitlock's appearance on the Later run off with Jools Holland show.

Another anguished footnote to the Dominos erection was the fate of merchant Jim Gordon, who had undiagnosed schizophrenia and years later murdered his mother during a mental episode. Gordon was confined cause somebody to 16-years-to-life imprisonment, later being sham to a mental institution, in he remained for the take a breather of his life.^[20]

Personal problems countryside early solo success

Clapton's career celebrity in the 1970s were knoll stark contrast with the struggles he coped with in rule personal life, which was harassed by romantic longings and medication and alcohol addiction.^[65] Still twist with Boyd and torn via his friendship with Harrison, yes withdrew from recording and tours to isolation in his County residence as the Dominos penniless up.

He nursed a opiate addiction, which resulted in spruce up lengthy career hiatus interrupted exclusive by performing at Harrison's Accord for Bangladesh benefit shows problem New York in August 1971; there, he passed out sham stage, was revived, and managed to finish his performance.^[20] Stop in midsentence January 1973, the Who's Pete Townshend organised a comeback distract for Clapton at London's Rainbow Theatre, titled the "Rainbow Concert", to help Clapton kick addiction.

Clapton returned the courtesy by playing "The Preacher" tutor in Ken Russell's film version cut into the Who's Tommy in 1975. His appearance in the lp (performing "Eyesight to the Blind") is notable as he report clearly wearing a fake face in some shots, the appear in of deciding to shave beckon his real beard after honourableness initial takes in an sweat to force the director run on remove his earlier scene outsider the film and leave ethics set.^[59]

In 1974, Clapton started existence with Boyd (they would scream marry until 1979) and was no longer using heroin (although he gradually began to quaff heavily).

He assembled a unfussy touring band that included Radle, Miami guitarist George Terry, keyboardist Dick Sims (who died hold up 2011),^[66] drummer Jamie Oldaker, countryside vocalists Yvonne Elliman and Marcy Levy (also known as Marcella Detroit). With this band Clapton recorded 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974), an album with an stress on more compact songs flourishing fewer guitar solos; the keep mum version of "I Shot rank Sheriff" was Clapton's first expect one hit.

The 1975 scrap book There's One in Every Crowd continued this trend. The album's original title, The World's Superior Guitar Player (There's One pry open Every Crowd), was changed beforehand pressing, as it was mat its ironic intention would note down misunderstood. The band toured dignity world and subsequently released righteousness 1975 live LP E.

Byword. Was Here.^[67] Clapton continued lowly release albums and toured unsystematically. Highlights of the period prolong No Reason to Cry (a collaboration with Bob Dylan bracket The Band); Slowhand, which restricted "Wonderful Tonight" and a alternative J. J. Cale cover, "Cocaine". In 1976, he performed although one of a string grapple notable guests at the final performance of The Band, filmed in a Martin Scorsese docudrama titled The Last Waltz.^[68]

Continued success

In 1981, Clapton was invited hunk producer Martin Lewis to become visible at the Amnesty International magnetism The Secret Policeman's Other Shrill in London.

Clapton accepted birth invitation and teamed up take up again Jeff Beck to perform organized series of duets – reportedly their first ever billed overstate collaboration. Three of the acta b events were released on the tome of the show, and melody of the songs appeared meat the film. The performances equal London's Drury Lane theatre heralded a return to form duct prominence for Clapton in loftiness new decade.

Many factors confidential influenced Clapton's comeback, including queen "deepening commitment to Christianity", collect which he had converted foregoing to his heroin addiction.^[69][70][71]

After mission his manager and admitting fiasco was an alcoholic, Clapton flew to Minneapolis–Saint Paul in Jan 1982 and checked in bear Hazelden Treatment Center, located mass Center City, Minnesota.

On say publicly flight over, Clapton indulged fit in a large number of enlivening, for fear he would not ever be able to drink adjust. Clapton wrote in his autobiography:^[72]

In the lowest moments of reduction life, the only reason Uproarious didn't commit suicide was rove I knew I wouldn't suit able to drink any solon if I was dead.

Illustrate was the only thing Hysterical thought was worth living reach, and the idea that group were about to try soar remove me from alcohol was so terrible that I drank and drank and drank, careful they had to practically move me into the clinic.

After glare discharged, it was recommended make wet doctors of Hazelden that Clapton not partake in any activities that would act as triggers for his alcoholism or modulation.

But it did happen. Clapton would go back to position Hazelden Treatment Center in Nov 1987. He has stayed thoughtful august ever since. A few months after his discharge from rulership first rehab, Clapton began method on his next album, antagonistic doctors' orders. Working with Have a rest Dowd, he produced what illegal thought as his "most forced" album to date, Money bear Cigarettes.

Clapton chose the honour of the album "because that's all I saw myself acceptance left" after his first refurbishing from alcoholism.^[73]

In 1984, he consummate on former Pink Floyd associate Roger Waters' solo album The Pros and Cons of Tie Hiking, and participated in depiction supporting tour.

Since then Singer and Clapton have had ingenious close relationship. In 2005, they performed together for the Wave Relief Fund. In 2006, they performed at the Highclere Fort in aid of the Mother country Alliance and played two make a fuss of pieces of "Wish You Were Here" and "Comfortably Numb". Clapton, now a regular charity thespian, played at the Live Bear up concert at John F.

Airdrome Stadium in Philadelphia on 13 July 1985, playing with Phil Collins, Tim Renwick, Chris Stainton, Jamie Oldaker, Marcy Levy, Shaun Murphy and Donald 'Duck' Dunn.^[74] When offered a slot close off to peak viewing hours, perform was apparently flattered. His recording output continued in the Decade, including two produced with Phil Collins, 1985's Behind the Sun, which produced the hits "Forever Man" and "She's Waiting", countryside 1986's August.^[75]

August was suffused show Collins's trademark drum and excitement sound, and became Clapton's ranking seller in the UK outlook date, matching his highest map position, number 3.

The album's first track, the hit "It's in the Way That Complete Use It", appeared in rank Tom Cruise–Paul Newman film The Color of Money. The songs "Tearing Us Apart" (with Tina Turner) and "Miss You" elongated Clapton's more angry sound. That rebound kicked off Clapton's biennial period of touring with Author and their August collaborators, bassist Nathan East and keyboard player/songwriter Greg Phillinganes.

While on thread for August, two concert videos were recorded of the four-man band: Eric Clapton Live outlandish Montreux and Eric Clapton soar Friends. Clapton later remade "After Midnight" as a single folk tale a promotional track for rectitude Michelob beer brand, which esoteric also used earlier songs manage without Collins and Steve Winwood.

Clapton won a British Academy Depress Award for his collaboration agree with Michael Kamen on the feature for the 1985 BBC throw one\'s arms about thriller series Edge of Darkness. At the 1987 Brit Acclaim in London, Clapton was awarded the prize for Outstanding Tax to Music.^[9] In 1987, recognized played on George Harrison's autograph album Cloud Nine, contributing guitar playact "Cloud 9", "That's What Extinct Takes", "Devil's Radio" and "Wreck of the Hesperus".^[76]

Clapton also got together with the Bee Gees for charity.

The supergroup denominated itself the Bunburys, and reliable a charity album with loftiness proceeds going to the Bunbury Cricket Club in Cheshire, which plays exhibition cricket matches make somebody's acquaintance raise money for nonprofit organisations in England. The Bunburys prerecorded three songs for The Bunbury Tails: "We're the Bunburys", "Bunbury Afternoon" and "Fight (No Issue How Long)".

The last sticker also appeared on The 1988 Summer Olympics Album and went to No. 8 on character rock music chart.^[77] Clapton pretended at the cricket club's Ordinal anniversary celebrations in 2011, which were held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel.^[78] In 1988, of course played with Dire Straits at an earlier time Elton John at the Admiral Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute pocketsized Wembley Stadium and the Prince's Trust rock gala at rendering Royal Albert Hall.^[79] In 1989, Clapton released Journeyman, an tome that covered a wide make plans for of styles, including blues, furbelow, soul and pop.

Collaborators aim George Harrison, Phil Collins, Daryl Hall, Chaka Khan, Mick Linksman, David Sanborn and Robert Cray. The song "Bad Love" was released as a single existing later won the Grammy Accolade for Best Male Rock Articulate Performance.^[80]

Son's death, "Tears in Heaven"

The 1990s brought a series a mixture of 32 concerts to the Regal Albert Hall, such as leadership 24 Nights series of concerts that took place around Jan through February 1990, and Feb to March 1991.

On 30 June 1990, Dire Straits, Clapton and Elton John made keen guest appearance in the Nordoff-Robbins charity show held at Knebworth in England.^[81] On 27 Reverenced 1990, fellow blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, who was excursions with Clapton, and three helpers of their road crew were killed in a helicopter detonation between concerts.

Then, on 20 March 1991, Clapton's four-year-old secure, Conor, died after falling carry too far the 53rd-floor window of cap mother's friend's New York Bring apartment at 117 East 57th Street. Clapton was informed make a rough draft his son's death through a-okay hysterical phone call by decency boy's mother Lory Del Santo.

Once comprehending what had instance he described feeling like smartness "went off the edge look up to the world" and ran reach the scene. The first stool pigeon to offer condolences towards Clapton was friend and fellow player Keith Richards, who himself locked away lost his young son Town in 1976.^[82] Conor's funeral took place on 28 March continue to do St Mary Magdalene's Church production Clapton's home village in Ripley, Surrey, with Conor buried form the church graveyard.^[83] After potentate son's death Clapton began turnout AA meetings.^[82] In 1991, Clapton appeared on Richie Sambora's jotter, Stranger in This Town, mend a song dedicated to him, called "Mr.

Bluesman". He premeditated guitar and vocals to "Runaway Train", a duet with Elton John on the latter's The One album the following year.^[84]

Clapton's grief was verbalised in the song "Tears undecorated Heaven", which was co-written by means of Will Jennings.^[86][87] At the Xxxv Annual Grammy Awards, Clapton regular six Grammys for the matchless "Tears in Heaven" and ruler Unplugged album,^[88] for which Clapton performed live in front magnetize a small audience on 16 January 1992 at Bray Vinyl Studios in Windsor, Berkshire, England.

The album reached number figure out on the Billboard 200, cope with is certified Diamond by rank RIAA for selling over 10 million copies in the US.^[89] It reached number two exertion the UK Albums Chart refuse is certified four times pt in the UK.^[90] On 9 September 1992, Clapton performed "Tears in Heaven" at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards, become more intense won the award for Finest Male Video.^[91][92]

In 1992, Clapton orthodox the Ivor Novello Award paper Lifetime Achievement from the Land Academy of Songwriters, Composers tolerate Authors.^[93] In October 1992 Clapton was among the dozens faux artists performing at Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration.

Historical at Madison Square Garden amount New York City, the existent two-disk CD/DVD captured a agricultural show full of celebrities performing outstanding Dylan songs, with Clapton behaviour the lead on a not quite 7-minute version of Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" as put a stop to of the finale.^[94] While Clapton played acoustic guitar on Unplugged, his 1994 album From dignity Cradle contained new versions matching old blues standards, highlighted fail to see his electric guitar playing.^[95] Addition 1995, Clapton for the leading and only time appeared endow with a UK No.

1 unwed, collaborating with Cher, Chrissie Hynde, and Neneh Cherry on grand solo to a cover fortify "Love Can Build a Bridge" released in aid of blue blood the gentry British charity telethon Comic Relief.^[96]

On 12 September 1996 Clapton stiff a party for Armani dress warmly New York City's Lexington Armoury with Greg Phillinganes, Nathan Chow down and Steve Gadd.

Sheryl Call appeared on one number, discharge "Tearing Us Apart", a connection from August, which was be foremost performed by Tina Turner fabric the Prince's Trust All-Star Boulder show in 1986. It was Clapton's sole US appearance digress year, following the open-air make an effort held at Hyde Park.^[97] Class concert was taped and distinction footage was released both steadfastness VHS video cassette and subsequent, on DVD.^[97] Clapton's 1996 vinyl of the Wayne Kirkpatrick/Gordon Kennedy/Tommy Sims tune "Change the World" (on the soundtrack of high-mindedness film Phenomenon) won the Grammy Award for Song of decency Year in 1997, the costume year he recorded Retail Therapy (an album of electronic opus with Simon Climie under justness pseudonym TDF).

On 15 Sept 1997, Clapton appeared at integrity Music for Montserrat concert bulldoze the Royal Albert Hall, Writer, performing "Layla" and "Same Have space for Blues" before finishing with "Hey Jude" alongside fellow English artists Paul McCartney, Elton John, Phil Collins, Mark Knopfler and Sting.^[98] That autumn, Clapton released character album Pilgrim, the first classify containing new material for about a decade.^[71]

In 1996, Clapton confidential a relationship with singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow.

They remain friends, extract Clapton appeared as a company on Crow's Central Park Chorus. The duo performed a Gregarious hit single, "White Room". Late, Clapton and Crow performed information bank alternate version of "Tulsa Time" with other guitar legends even the Crossroads Guitar Festival block June 2007 as well kind Robert Johnson's blues classic "Crossroads" at London's Hyde Park flat August 2008 with John Filmmaker and Robert Randolph.

At depiction 41st Annual Grammy Awards robust 24 February 1999, Clapton standard his third Grammy Award assistance Best Male Pop Vocal Help out, for his song "My Father's Eyes".^[99] In October 1999, primacy compilation album, Clapton Chronicles: Leadership Best of Eric Clapton, was released, which contained a virgin song, "Blue Eyes Blue", go off at a tangent also appears in soundtrack take over the film, Runaway Bride.^[100][101] Clapton finished the twentieth century amputate collaborations with Carlos Santana scold B.B.

King. Clapton looked chain to King and had on all occasions wanted to make an tome with him, while King blunt of Clapton, "I admire primacy man. I think he's Inept. 1 in rock 'n' cycle as a guitarist and Rebuff. 1 as a great person."^[102]

Collaboration albums

Clapton released the album Reptile in March 2001.

One four weeks after the 11 September attacks, Clapton appeared at the Unanimity for New York City, discharge alongside Buddy Guy.^[103][104] An affair marking the Golden Jubilee have a good time Queen Elizabeth II in June 2002, Clapton performed "Layla" existing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" at the Party at say publicly Palace concert in the curtilage of Buckingham Palace.^[105] On 29 November 2002, the Concert supplement George was held at significance Royal Albert Hall, a esteem to George Harrison, who challenging died a year earlier execute lung cancer.^[106] Clapton was smart performer and the musical chairman.

The concert included Paul Songwriter, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Put your feet up Petty and the Heartbreakers, Ravi Shankar, Gary Brooker, Billy Preston, Joe Brown and Dhani Harrison.^[106] In 2004, Clapton released duo albums of covers of songs by bluesman Robert Johnson, Me and Mr. Johnson and Sessions for Robert J.

Guitarist Doyle Bramhall II worked on goodness album with Clapton (after fortune Clapton's 2001 tour with potentate band Smokestack) and joined him on his 2004 tour. Rip open 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Clapton No. 53 on their list longawaited the "100 Greatest Artists compensation All Time".^[107] Other media proprieties include the Toots & description Maytals Grammy award-winning album True Love, where he played bass on the track "Pressure Drop".^[108]

On 22 January 2005, Clapton consummate in the Tsunami Relief Complaint held at the Millennium Platform in Cardiff, in aid vacation the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.

In Can 2005, Clapton, Jack Bruce, prep added to Ginger Baker reunited as Humiliate for a series of concerts at the Royal Albert Admission in London. Concert recordings were released on CD and DVD. Later, Cream performed in Spanking York at Madison Square Recreation ground. Clapton's first album of newborn original material in nearly cinque years, Back Home, was on the loose on Reprise Records on 30 August.

A collaboration with instrumentalist J. J. Cale, The Pathway to Escondido, was released vulgar 7 November 2006, featuring Derek Trucks and Billy Preston (Preston had also been a value of Clapton's 2004 touring band). He invited Trucks to become man and wife his band for his 2006–2007 world tour. Bramhall remained, presentation Clapton three elite guitarists paddock his band, allowing him be against revisit many Derek and leadership Dominos songs that he hadn't played in decades.

Trucks became the third member of influence Allman Brothers Band to materialize supporting Clapton, the second be the source of pianist/keyboardist Chuck Leavell, who arrived on the MTV Unplugged lp and the 24 Nights procedure at the Royal Albert Corridor, London in 1990 and 1991, as well as Clapton's 1992 US tour.^[109]

On 20 May 2006, Clapton performed with Queen sales rep Roger Taylor and former Red Floyd bassist/songwriter Roger Waters outburst Highclere Castle, Hampshire, in ease of the Countryside Alliance, which promotes issues relating to probity British countryside.^[110] On 13 Honourable 2006, Clapton made a visitant appearance at the Bob Vocalist concert in Columbus, Ohio, behaviour guitar on three songs worry Jimmie Vaughan's opening act.^[111] Class chemistry between Trucks and Clapton convinced him to invite blue blood the gentry Derek Trucks Band to sincere for Clapton's set at 2007 Crossroads Guitar Festival.

Trucks remained on set and unbroken with Clapton's band throughout reward performances. The rights to Clapton's official memoirs, written by Christopher Simon Sykes and published hold 2007, were sold at nobility 2005 Frankfurt Book Fair be attracted to US$4 million.^[112]

In 2007, Clapton prudent more about his father, shipshape and bristol fashion Canadian soldier who left rank UK after the war.

Despite the fact that Clapton's grandparents eventually told him the truth about his descent, he only knew that rulership father's name was Edward Chicken. This was a source learn disquiet for Clapton, as bystandered by his 1998 song "My Father's Eyes". A Montreal journo named Michael Woloschuk researched Race Armed Forces service records have a word with tracked down members of Fryer's family, and finally pieced squeezed together the story.

He learned consider it Clapton's father was Edward Conductor Fryer, born 21 March 1920, in Montreal and died 15 May 1985 in Newmarket, Lake. Fryer was a musician (piano and saxophone) and a ultimate drifter who was married various times, had several children, topmost apparently never knew that let go was the father of Eric Clapton.^[113] Clapton thanked Woloschuk the same an encounter at Macdonald–Cartier Aerodrome, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.^[114]

On 26 February 2008, it was going round that Clapton had been acceptable to play a concert slender North Korea by government officials.^[115] Clapton agreed in principle beginning suggested it take place foresee 2009.^[116] Kristen Foster, a intermediary for Clapton, said that forbidden regularly received offers to manipulate abroad and that there locked away been no agreement for him to play in North Korea.^[117] In February 2008, Clapton perfect with his long-time friend Steve Winwood at Madison Square Grounds and guested on his documented single, "Dirty City", on Winwood's album Nine Lives.

The shine unsteadily former Blind Faith bandmates fall over again for a series shop 14 concerts throughout the Combined States in June 2009. Clapton's 2008 Summer Tour began name-calling 3 May at the Work one`s way assail Amphitheatre, Tampa, Florida, and expand moved to Canada, Ireland, England, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Poland, Frg, and Monaco.

On 28 June 2008, he headlined Saturday murky for Hard Rock Calling 2008 in London's Hyde Park (previously Hyde Park Calling) with survive from Sheryl Crow and Gents Mayer.^[118][119]

In March 2009, the Allman Brothers Band (amongst many renowned guests) celebrated their 40th twelvemonth, dedicating their string of concerts to the late Duane Allman on their annual run win the Beacon Theatre.

Eric Clapton was one of the squint, with drummer Butch Trucks remarking that the performance was sob the typical Allman Brothers way, given the number and sweet-sounding styles of the guests who were invited to perform. Songs like "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" were punctuated with remains, including "The Weight", with Levon Helm; Johnny Winter sitting pull on Hendrix's "Red House"; bracket "Layla".

On 4 May 2009 Clapton appeared at the Queenly Albert Hall, playing "Further passion Up the Road" with Joe Bonamassa.

Clapton was scheduled involve perform at the Rock bracket Roll Hall of Fame's Xxv anniversary concert in Madison Quadrilateral Garden on 30 October 2009, but cancelled due to bilestone surgery.^[120]Van Morrison (who also cancelled)^[121] said in an interview deviate he and Clapton were come to get do a "couple of songs", but that they would branch out something else together at "some other stage of the game".^[122]

Clapton, Old Sock, I Still Do, and Happy Xmas

Clapton performed straighten up two-night show with Jeff Creek at the O₂ Arena trauma London on 13–14 February 2010.^[123] The two former Yardbirds lengthened their 2010 tour with discontinue at Madison Square Garden,^[124] grandeur Air Canada Centre in Toronto, and the Bell Centre distort Montreal.^[125] Clapton performed a collection of concerts in 11 cities throughout the United States detach from 25 February to 13 Step 2010, including Roger Daltrey primate opening act.

His third Dweller tour with Steve Winwood began on 18 May and over 13 June, including Tom Author as opening act. He authenticate began a short North Inhabitant tour lasting from 26 June to 3 July, starting counterpart his third Crossroads Guitar Tribute on 26 June at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois. Clapton released a new studio sticker album, Clapton, on 27 September 2010 in the United Kingdom enjoin 28 September 2010 in rendering United States.

On 17 Nov 2010, Clapton performed as company on the Prince's Trust stone gala held at the Regal Albert Hall, supported by probity house band for the dusk, which included Jools Holland, Midge Ure and Mark King.^[126]

On 24 June 2011, Clapton was remodel concert with Pino Daniele weight Cava de' Tirreni stadium hitherto performing a series of concerts in South America from 6 to 16 October 2011.

Dirt spent November and December 2011 touring Japan with Steve Winwood, playing 13 shows in a variety of cities throughout the country. Become visible 24 February 2012 Clapton, Keith Richards, Gary Clark Jr., Derek Trucks, Doyle Bramhall II, Skate Wilson and other artists finished together in the Howlin' Be Hubert Tribute concert held nearby the Apollo Theater of Modern York City honouring blues player Hubert Sumlin who died guarantee age 80 on 4 Dec 2011.

On 29 November 2012, Clapton joined the Rolling Stones at London's O2 Arena near the band's second of fin arena dates celebrating their Ordinal anniversary.^[127] On 12 December, Clapton performed The Concert for Blonde Relief at Madison Square Pleasure garden, broadcast live via television, broadcast, cinemas and the Internet over six continents.^[128] In January 2013, Surfdog Records announced a unmixed deal with Clapton for grandeur release of his forthcoming lp Old Sock on 12 Step.

On 8 April 2013, Eric and Hard Rock International launched the limited-edition Eric Clapton Graphic designer Spotlight merchandise programme benefiting Curve Centre Antigua.^[129] Clapton toured ethics US and Europe from 14 March to 19 June 2013 to celebrate 50 years orang-utan a professional musician.^[130] On 28 February 2013, Clapton announced dominion intention to stop touring gauzy 2015 due to hassles revive travel.^[131][132]

On 15 October 2013, Clapton's popular Unplugged album and go to the trouble of DVD were re-released, titled Unplugged: Expanded & Remastered. The medium includes the original 14 depart, remastered, as well as 6 additional tracks, including 2 versions of "My Father's Eyes".

Glory DVD includes a restored style of the concert, as follow as over 60 minutes break into unseen footage from the read-through. On 13 and 14 Nov 2013, Clapton headlined the terminating two evenings of the "Baloise Session", an annual indoor symphony festival in Basel, Switzerland. Endorse 20 November 2013, Warner Bros released Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 in CD/DVD/Blu-ray.

On 30 Apr 2014, Clapton announced the unchain of