Eric Clapton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eric Clapton
|
|
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg)
Clapton performing at the Royal Albert Hall in May 2017
|
|
| Born |
Eric Patrick Clapton
30 March 1945 Ripley, Surrey, England
|
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1962–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Pattie Boyd
(m. 1979; div. 1989)Melia McEnery
(m. 2002) |
| Children | 5 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Labels |
|
Eric Patrick Clapton (born 30 March 1945) is an English musician. He is a singer, songwriter, and record producer. Many people think he is one of the most important guitarists in rock music. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him second on their list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time". Gibson put him fourth on their "Top 50 Guitarists of All Time" list. Time magazine named him number five in their "10 Best Electric Guitar Players" in 2009.
Clapton played in many bands early in his career. He joined the Yardbirds from 1963 to 1965. Then he was with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers from 1965 to 1966. After that, he formed the power trio Cream with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce. Cream became very popular and released four successful albums.
After Cream, Clapton formed Blind Faith and later Derek and the Dominos. This band released the famous album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. It includes "Layla", one of his most well-known songs. Clapton then started his solo career. He released many successful albums and songs. These include "I Shot the Sheriff" and "Tears in Heaven". "Tears in Heaven" was a very emotional song written after his son's death.
Eric Clapton has won 18 Grammy Awards. He also received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 2004, he was given a CBE honor for his music. He is the only musician to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times. He was inducted as a solo artist, and as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream. He has sold over 100 million records worldwide. This makes him one of the best-selling musicians ever.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Eric Clapton was born on 30 March 1945 in Ripley, Surrey, England. His mother was Patricia Molly Clapton. His father was Edward Walter Fryer, a soldier from Canada. Eric grew up thinking his grandparents were his parents. His mother moved away, leaving him with his grandparents.
For his 13th birthday, Eric received an acoustic guitar. It was hard to play at first, and he lost interest. Two years later, he picked it up again and started playing a lot. He loved blues music from a young age. He practiced for many hours, learning blues chords by playing along to records. He even recorded his practice sessions to listen back and improve.
In 1961, he left school and studied at the Kingston College of Art. But he was more interested in music than art. He was asked to leave after a year. By age 16, his guitar playing was getting noticed. He started playing music on the streets in places like Kingston and Richmond.
In 1962, he started performing with a friend, Dave Brock, in pubs. When he was 17, he joined his first band, the Roosters. He played with them for about eight months. Later, he had a short time with another band called Casey Jones & the Engineers.
Clapton's Music Career
Joining The Yardbirds and The Bluesbreakers
In October 1963, Clapton joined the Yardbirds, a rhythm and blues band. He stayed with them until March 1965. Clapton developed a unique guitar style. He was influenced by blues guitarists like Buddy Guy and B.B. King. He quickly became one of the most talked-about guitarists in Britain. The band played blues songs and gained many fans. They even toured England with American blues musician Sonny Boy Williamson II.
When Clapton broke a guitar string during a concert, he would fix it on stage. The audience would do a "slow handclap" while they waited. This is how he got his nickname "Slowhand". In December 1964, Clapton played at the Royal Albert Hall in London for the first time. He has played there over 200 times since then. He says playing there feels like "playing in my front room."
In March 1965, the Yardbirds had their first big hit, "For Your Love". This song was more pop-sounding. Clapton loved the blues and did not like this change. He left the band the day the song became public. He suggested Jeff Beck as his replacement.
In April 1965, Clapton joined John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. He left for a short time but rejoined in October 1965. During this time, he became known as the best blues guitarist in clubs. He played on the album Blues Breakers – John Mayall – With Eric Clapton. Fans often call it The Beano Album because Clapton is shown reading a comic book on the cover.
Clapton changed his guitar and amplifier. He started using a Gibson Les Paul Standard guitar and a Marshall amplifier. His new sound led to the famous phrase "Clapton is God". Someone spray-painted it on a wall in London in 1967. Clapton said he was embarrassed by it. He never believed he was the greatest guitarist.
Forming Cream
Clapton left the Bluesbreakers in July 1966. Drummer Ginger Baker asked him to join his new band, Cream. Jack Bruce joined on bass. Cream was one of the first "supergroups" because its members were already famous. Before Cream, Clapton was not well known in the United States. With Cream, he started singing, writing songs, and playing guitar even better.
Cream's first show was on 29 July 1966. They became famous for their loud blues jamming and long guitar solos. By 1967, many thought Clapton was Britain's best guitarist. But then Jimi Hendrix arrived. Hendrix used new sounds with his guitar. Clapton and other top musicians went to see Hendrix play. Hendrix's arrival had a big effect on Clapton's music.
.jpg)
Clapton first visited the United States with Cream. In March 1967, they played nine shows in New York. Clapton used his painted Gibson SG guitar, called "The Fool". He used this guitar for most of Cream's recordings. Cream's songs ranged from hard rock like "I Feel Free" to long blues jams like "Spoonful". Their album Disraeli Gears showed off Clapton's guitar playing. Cream became a very influential power trio.
Cream was very successful, selling millions of records. They played all over the US and Europe. They changed how instrumentalists played in rock music. They were one of the first blues-rock bands to focus on amazing playing and long jazz-style solos. Their US hit songs include "Sunshine of Your Love" and "White Room". Even though Cream was a great band, they did not last long. Conflicts between Bruce and Baker led to the band breaking up.
Cream's last album, Goodbye, came out after they split up. It included the song "Badge", which Clapton wrote with George Harrison. Clapton and Harrison became close friends. In 1968, Clapton played the guitar solo on Harrison's song "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" for The Beatles' "White Album".
Cream reunited briefly in 1993 for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony. They had a full reunion in May 2005. They played four sold-out concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall. They also played three shows in New York.
Blind Faith and Solo Beginnings
.jpg)
Clapton's next band was Blind Faith, formed in 1969. It included Cream drummer Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood from Traffic, and Ric Grech. This supergroup released one album and went on one tour. They played for 100,000 fans in London's Hyde Park in June 1969. Their album Blind Faith had only six songs. One was the hit "Can't Find My Way Home". Blind Faith broke up in less than seven months.
After Blind Faith, Clapton toured with Delaney and Bonnie and Friends. He also played with John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band. Delaney Bramlett helped Clapton with his singing and songwriting. Clapton recorded his first solo album, Eric Clapton, in 1970. Delaney Bramlett helped write and produce many songs. The album had the hit song "After Midnight". Clapton also played on George Harrison's album All Things Must Pass.
Derek and the Dominos
Clapton wanted to be part of a band, not just a star. He formed a new band called Derek and the Dominos. It included Bobby Whitlock (keyboards/vocals), Carl Radle (bass), and Jim Gordon (drums). Clapton played guitar. The band's name was a mistake. It was supposed to be "Del and the Dynamos," but it was misread.
Clapton became very fond of Pattie Boyd, who was married to his friend George Harrison. His feelings for her inspired many songs on the Dominos' album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970). This album was heavily influenced by the blues. It featured the amazing guitar playing of Clapton and Duane Allman. Allman's slide guitar was a key part of the sound. They recorded the double album in Miami.
The album included the famous love song "Layla". It was inspired by an old Persian story about a man who loved a woman he could not marry. The band also recorded songs like "Key to the Highway" and "Little Wing" (a tribute to Jimi Hendrix).
The band faced sad times. During the recording, Clapton heard that Jimi Hendrix had died. A few days before, they had recorded "Little Wing" for him. The Layla album did not get great reviews at first. The band went on tour without Duane Allman, who later died in a motorcycle accident in 1971. The Dominos started recording a second album, but Clapton left, and the band broke up.
Solo Success and Challenges
Clapton faced personal difficulties in the 1970s. He stopped recording and touring for a while. In January 1973, Pete Townshend of the Who organized a comeback concert for Clapton in London. It was called the "Rainbow Concert".
In 1974, Clapton started living with Pattie Boyd. He formed a new touring band. With this band, he recorded 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974). This album had shorter songs and fewer long guitar solos. His cover of "I Shot the Sheriff" became his first number one hit. He continued to release albums and tour regularly. His album Slowhand included the popular song "Wonderful Tonight".
In 1981, Clapton performed at a benefit concert for Amnesty International. He played with Jeff Beck. This helped him return to the music scene. In 1984, he played on Roger Waters' solo album and toured with him. Clapton also performed at the Live Aid concert in 1985. His albums in the 1980s included Behind the Sun and August, both produced with Phil Collins. August became his biggest seller in the UK at the time.
In 1987, Clapton won the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. He also played on George Harrison's album Cloud Nine. In 1989, Clapton released Journeyman. This album had many styles, like blues, jazz, and pop. The song "Bad Love" won a Grammy Award.
Loss and "Tears in Heaven"
The 1990s started with many concerts at the Royal Albert Hall. In August 1990, his friend and fellow guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan died in a helicopter crash. Then, in March 1991, Clapton's four-year-old son, Conor, died in an accident.
Clapton expressed his deep sadness in the song "Tears in Heaven". He wrote it with Will Jennings. At the 35th Annual Grammy Awards, "Tears in Heaven" won three Grammys. His album Unplugged also won Album of the Year and Best Rock Vocal Performance. This album was recorded live in front of a small audience. It became a huge success, selling over 10 million copies in the US.
In 1992, Clapton received the Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement. In 1994, he released From the Cradle, an album of old blues songs. In 1996, his song "Change the World" won a Grammy Award. He continued to release new music, including the album Pilgrim in 1997.
In 1999, Clapton won another Grammy for "My Father's Eyes". He ended the 20th century by working with Carlos Santana and B.B. King. Clapton had always admired B.B. King. King said Clapton was "No. 1 in rock 'n' roll as a guitarist and No. 1 as a great person."
Later Career and Collaborations
Clapton released the album Reptile in 2001. After the 11 September attacks, he performed at the Concert for New York City. In 2002, he played at the Party at the Palace concert for Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. He also was the musical director for the Concert for George, a tribute to George Harrison.
In 2004, Clapton released two albums of songs by bluesman Robert Johnson. These were Me and Mr. Johnson and Sessions for Robert J. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Clapton No. 53 on their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".
In January 2005, Clapton performed at the Tsunami Relief Concert to help victims of the 2004 tsunami. In May 2005, Cream reunited for concerts in London and New York. Clapton's album Back Home was released in August 2005.
He collaborated with guitarist J. J. Cale on the album The Road to Escondido in 2006. Clapton also invited Derek Trucks to join his band for tours. This allowed him to play many Derek and the Dominos songs again. In 2007, Clapton learned more about his father, Edward Walter Fryer, who was also a musician.
In 2008, Clapton performed with his friend Steve Winwood at Madison Square Garden. They had been bandmates in Blind Faith. In March 2009, Clapton performed with the Allman Brothers Band to celebrate their 40th year. He played "Layla" with them.
Recent Albums and Performances
Clapton performed with Jeff Beck in London in 2010. They also toured North America. Clapton released a new studio album, Clapton, in September 2010. He continued to tour in South America and Japan in 2011. In 2012, he joined the Rolling Stones at London's O2 Arena. He also performed at The Concert for Sandy Relief in New York.
In 2013, Clapton released his album Old Sock. He toured the US and Europe to celebrate 50 years as a professional musician. His popular Unplugged album was re-released with extra tracks. In 2014, Clapton released The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale, a tribute album to J. J. Cale.
Clapton performed two shows at Madison Square Garden and a 7-night residency at London's Royal Albert Hall in 2015. These shows celebrated his 70th birthday and 50 years since he first played at the Royal Albert Hall. In 2016, he released his twenty-third studio album, I Still Do. In 2018, he released Happy Xmas, an album of blues-style Christmas songs. He continues to tour and perform. In 2023, he performed at the Jeff Beck tribute concerts. In 2024, he contributed to a song for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
New Album: Meanwhile
In May 2024, Eric Clapton shared that he was working on a new studio album. It is titled Meanwhile. He hopes to release it later in 2024.
Musical Influences
.jpg)
Clapton has been influenced by many blues guitarists. Some of his biggest influences include Muddy Waters, Freddie King, B.B. King, Albert King, Buddy Guy, and Hubert Sumlin. In his autobiography, Clapton called Muddy Waters "the father figure I never really had." In 2000, Clapton worked with B.B. King on their album Riding with the King.
Clapton says that blues musician Robert Johnson is his most important influence. In 2004, Clapton released Sessions for Robert Johnson, which had covers of Johnson's songs. Clapton wrote that Robert Johnson's music is "the most powerful cry that I think you can find in the human voice."
Clapton also mentioned Buddy Holly as an influence. The Chirping Crickets was the first album Clapton ever bought. He loved seeing Holly play his Fender guitar. He thought it was "like seeing an instrument from outer space." In a documentary, Clapton also said he was influenced by Bismillah Khan's reed instrument and harmonica player Little Walter.
Clapton's Legacy
_-_Rock_and_Roll_Hall_of_Fame_handprints_(2014_photograph).jpg)
Eric Clapton is known as one of the most important and influential guitarists ever. He is the only musician inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times. He was inducted as a solo artist, and as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream. He ranked second on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".
The Guardian newspaper said Clapton helped create the idea of the "guitar hero." They ranked it number seven on their list of 50 key events in rock music history. Clapton also influenced how music was recorded. He moved microphones further from amplifiers to get a more natural sound. This changed how guitar playing sounded on records.
In 2012, Clapton was chosen by artist Sir Peter Blake to appear in a new version of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover. This honored British cultural figures. In 2018, Clapton was inducted into the Royal Albert Hall's Walk of Fame. He is one of the first people to get a star there.
Clapton's Guitars
Clapton helped make certain electric guitar models very popular. With the Yardbirds, he played a Fender Telecaster and a Gibson ES-335. Later, he started playing Gibson Les Paul guitars. His first Les Paul was stolen. He then got a 1964 Gibson SG guitar, called "the Fool".
Clapton used the Les Paul and the SG to create his "woman tone." He described it as a "sweet sound." This sound is thick and smooth, but also powerful. It comes from how he set his guitar's tone controls and his Marshall amplifier.
In 1968, Clapton started using his 1964 Cherry-Red Gibson ES-335 again. This guitar had a long history. It was sold for a lot of money at an auction in 2004. Gibson made special "Crossroads 335" replicas of it.
In late 1969, Clapton switched to the Fender Stratocaster. He was influenced by Buddy Holly and Buddy Guy. His first Stratocaster was "Brownie". In 1970, he bought six Fender Stratocasters. He gave one each to George Harrison, Steve Winwood, and Pete Townshend. He used parts from the other three to create "Blackie".
"Blackie" was his favorite stage guitar until 1985. It was first played live in 1973. Clapton called it a "mongrel" because it was made from different parts. In 2004, "Blackie" was sold at auction for a lot of money. "Brownie" is now on display at the Experience Music Project. Fender has made special 'Blackie' replicas.
Fender and C.F. Martin & Company make signature guitars in Clapton's honor. Fender introduced his signature Eric Clapton Stratocaster in 1988. Martin makes special 000-sized acoustic guitars for him. His 1939 000-42 Martin, used on the Unplugged album, sold for US$791,500 at auction.
Other Appearances
Clapton appeared in the movie version of Tommy, a rock opera by The Who. He played the Preacher and sang "Eyesight to the Blind." He was also in Blues Brothers 2000 as one of the Louisiana Gator Boys. He had a small speaking role in that movie.
Clapton has appeared in commercials for cars like Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen and for cell phones. He was also in a BBC documentary about Toots and the Maytals. In 2013, Clapton appeared on the TV show Top Gear. He tested a car's sound system by plugging in his guitar and playing some of his hits. The host called him a "local guitarist."
In 2017, a documentary film called Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars was released. It tells the story of his life. Clapton agreed to be part of it because he wanted his story told correctly. Another film, Nothing but the Blues (1995), is about Clapton's love for the blues.
Personal Life and Family
Eric Clapton was friends with George Harrison. Clapton later married Harrison's former wife, Pattie Boyd, in 1979. They divorced in 1989.
Clapton married Melia McEnery on 1 January 2002. They have three daughters: Julie Rose, Ella May, and Sophie Belle. Clapton also has another daughter, Ruth Kelly Clapton, from a previous relationship. He had a son, Conor, who sadly died at the age of four.
Views on Current Events
In November 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Clapton worked with Van Morrison on a song called "Stand and Deliver." This song expressed views against masks and lockdowns. In July 2021, Clapton said he would not perform where audiences were required to be vaccinated. He had experienced strong reactions to the vaccine himself. In August 2021, Clapton released "This Has Gotta Stop," a song protesting lockdowns and vaccinations. In May 2022, Clapton tested positive for COVID-19 and had to cancel some concerts.
In November 2023, during the Israel–Hamas war, Clapton released a song called "Voice of a Child." The video showed images of destruction in the Gaza Strip. In December 2023, he organized a charity concert to raise money for children in the Gaza Strip. He played a guitar painted with the colors of the Palestinian flag at the event.
Charitable Work
_%26_2005_Gibson_ES-335_Crossroads_Model_Prototype,_Serial_No._Prototype_3_(lot_116).jpg)
In 1998, Eric Clapton started the Crossroads Centre in Antigua. This center helps people dealing with addiction. He is very involved in running it and raising money. Clapton has organized the Crossroads Guitar Festival several times (1999, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2019). These festivals raise money for the center.
In 1999, Clapton auctioned off some of his guitars. He raised over US$5 million for the Crossroads Centre. In 2004, he held another guitar auction, raising over US$7.4 million. In 2011, he auctioned over 150 items, including guitars and amplifiers, raising more than £1.3 million. All the money went to the Crossroads Centre.
Clapton has also performed at the Secret Policeman's Ball, a benefit show for Amnesty International. He has worked with The Prince's Trust, a UK charity that helps young people. He has performed at their concerts many times. In 2008, he donated a song to help with recovery efforts after the 2004 tsunami.
Awards and Honors
| Year | Award / Recognition |
|---|---|
| 1983 |
Received the Silver Clef Award for his great contribution to British music. |
| 1985 |
Won a BAFTA for Best Original Television Music for the show Edge of Darkness. |
| 1992 |
Received the Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement. |
| 1993 |
"Tears in Heaven" won three Grammy Awards: Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Male Pop Vocal Performance. His Unplugged album won Album of the Year and Best Rock Vocal Performance. "Layla" won Best Rock Song. |
| 1995 |
Made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to music. |
| 2000 |
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the third time as a solo artist. He was already in as a member of Cream and the Yardbirds. |
| 2004 |
Promoted to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to music. |
| 2006 |
Awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award as a member of Cream. |
| 2015 |
An asteroid, 4305 Clapton, was named after him. |
| 2017 |
Made a Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France. |
Clapton's Music in Film and TV
Clapton's music has been used in many movies and TV shows. Songs like "I Looked Away" and "Steppin' Out" appeared in Mean Streets (1973). "Wonderful Tonight" and "Layla" were in Miami Vice. "It's in the Way That You Use It" was in The Color of Money. "Layla" and "Sunshine of Your Love" were in Goodfellas.
His songs have also been in TV shows like Friends ("Wonderful Tonight") and movies like School Of Rock ("Sunshine Of Your Love"). The guitar riff from "Layla" was used in car commercials for Opel and Vauxhall.
Clapton has also written or helped write music for movies. These include Lethal Weapon, Rush, and Lethal Weapon 3. He co-wrote "It's Probably Me" with Sting and "Runaway Train" with Elton John for Lethal Weapon 3.
Discography
Solo Studio Albums
- Eric Clapton (1970)
- 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974)
- There's One in Every Crowd (1975)
- No Reason to Cry (1976)
- Slowhand (1977)
- Backless (1978)
- Another Ticket (1981)
- Money and Cigarettes (1983)
- Behind the Sun (1985)
- August (1986)
- Journeyman (1989)
- From the Cradle (1994)
- Pilgrim (1998)
- Reptile (2001)
- Me and Mr. Johnson (2004)
- Sessions for Robert J (2004)
- Back Home (2005)
- Clapton (2010)
- Old Sock (2013)
- I Still Do (2016)
- Happy Xmas (2018)
- Meanwhile (2024)
Collaborative Studio Albums
- Riding with the King (with B.B. King) (2000)
- The Road to Escondido (with J. J. Cale) (2006)
- The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale (by Eric Clapton & Friends) (2014)
Images for kids
-
A robot for kids.
Error: no page names specified (help).
- List of most valuable celebrity memorabilia
