Eric Clapton – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts

Eric Clapton Biography

Eric Patrick Clapton is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter who is widely considered to be one of the most influential guitarists of all time. Clapton was named second on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” list and fourth on Gibson’s “Top 50 Guitarists of All Time” list. In 2009, he was ranked fifth on Time magazine’s list of “The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players.”

Clapton was born in Ripley, Surrey, England, on March 30, 1945. His love of music began at an early age. Clapton was given an acoustic Hoyer guitar for his thirteenth birthday, but the cheap steel-stringed instrument was impossible to play, and he lost interest. He grabbed it up again two years later and began playing regularly. Clapton was influenced by blues music from an early age, and he spent long hours playing along with albums to learn the chords. He recorded his practice sessions on his Grundig reel-to-reel tape recorder, which he listened to over and over until he was satisfied.

Clapton joined the Yardbirds in 1963, replacing founder guitarist Top Topham, after performing in a variety of different local bands. Clapton left the Yardbirds in 1965 to join John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, dissatisfied with the band’s shift from blues rock to a more radio-friendly pop rock sound. Clapton established the power trio Cream with drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce after departing Mayall in 1966 after one record, in which he played extended blues improvisations and “arty, blues-based psychedelic pop.” After Cream disbanded in November 1968, he founded the blues rock band Blind Faith with Baker, Steve Winwood, and Ric Grech, which released one album and toured once before disbanding. In 1970, Clapton went on a solo career.

He also worked with Delaney & Bonnie and Derek and the Dominos, with whom he recorded “Layla,” one of his signature tunes, in addition to his solo career. Over the next several decades, he recorded a number of successful solo albums and tracks, including a 1974 cover of Bob Marley‘s “I Shot the Sheriff” (which helped reggae gain popularity), the country-infused Slowhand album (1977), and the pop rock of August (1986). Clapton’s grief was portrayed in the song “Tears in Heaven,” which debuted on his Unplugged album following the death of his son Conor in 1991, and he had another top-40 hit with the R&B crossover “Change the World” in 1996. In 1998, he released “My Father’s Eyes,” which won him a Grammy. He’s been recording traditional blues and blues rock CDs since 1999, as well as hosting the Crossroads Guitar Festival. His most recent studio album is Happy Xmas (2018).

Clapton has 18 Grammy Awards and the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music under his belt. He received a CBE for contributions to music in 2004. The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors has honored him with four Ivor Novello Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. He is the only three-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, having been inducted once as a solo artist and twice as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream.

In his solo career, Clapton has sold more than 280 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time.In 1998, Clapton, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, founded the Crossroads Centre on Antigua, a medical facility for recovering substance abusers.

Eric Clapton Discography

Disraeli Gears
Fresh Cream
Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton
What’s Shakin’ Apple
Live! Blueswailing July ’64
London 1963: The First Recordings!
Sonny Boy Williamson and the Yardbirds
For Your LoveAppleYouTubeAmazon
Five Live YardbirdsYouTube

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Eric Clapton’S Most Famous Song?

“Layla” is perhaps Eric Clapton’s most famous song. The song was originally written for Derek and the Dominos’ album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, which was released in November 1970. “Layla” was written as a love ballad to Clapton’s unrequited love, Patty Boyd. The song has been covered by a number of artists, including Guns N’ Roses and Sheryl Crow.

What Is Eric Clapton’S Best Album?

There are a lot of great Eric Clapton albums, but his best might be 461 Ocean Boulevard. Released in 1974, the album features some of Clapton’s most popular songs, including “I Shot the Sheriff” and “Lay Down Sally.” The album went to number one on the Billboard 200 chart and won a Grammy Award for Best Engineered Recording.

What Type Of Genre Eric Clapton’S Songs?

Eric Clapton’s songs are popularly categorized as rock and blues. However, his music also incorporates elements of other genres, including folk, jazz, and country. While some of his early songs were penned by him alone, he has also collaborated with other songwriters throughout his career. In recent years, Eric Clapton has been working with producer Glyn Johns on a series of albums that explore his blues roots.

How Many Eric Clapton’S Album Released?

Clapton has released 24 studio albums, 26 singles, and four live albums. His debut album, 1967’s self-titled release, was a commercial and critical success in the UK. It reached No. 16 on the UK Albums Chart and sold well in the US, peaking at No. 28 on the Billboard 200.

Most Searched For Eric Clapton Songs

Wonderful TonightSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Smile- Live HammersmithSpotify
CocaineSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
SomedaySpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
After MidnightSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
I shot The SheriffSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Tears in HeavenSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
No AbilisSpotify
Change The WorldSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon