Eric Clapton - Wikipedia

Thank you, my friend Maj Marty Hogan for making us aware that March 30 is the anniversary of the birth of English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE who was nicknamed "Slow hand" sarcastically because he was so talented at playing all manners of guitars.
He has the distinction of being the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream.
Despite being an incredibly talent musician or possibly because of his fame his personal life was filled with problems from unfaithfulness in marriage to drug and alcohol additions and in 2013 he was had diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy.
Happy 74th Birthday Eric Patrick Clapton with many happy returns.

Image:
1. Eric Clapton in the 60s
2. 1965 Blues Breakers - John Mayall with Eric Clapton.
3. 1965 Eric Clapton joined John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers.
4. B.B. King and Eric Clapton.

Biographies:
1. imdb.com/name/nm0002008/bio
2. biography.com/musician/eric-clapton

1. Background from {[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002008/bio]}
Eric Clapton Biography
Overview
Born March 30, 1945 in Ripley, Surrey, England, UK
Birth Name Eric Patrick Clapton
Nicknames Slow Hand; God
Height 5' 9¾" (1.77 m)

Mini Bio (1)
Eric Clapton was born in Ripley, Surrey, England, on March 30, 1945. His real father was a Canadian pilot but he didn't find that out until he was 53. When he was 2 his mother felt she was unable to look after him, so Eric then went to live with his grandparents. When he was 14 he took up the guitar, having been influenced by blues artists such as B.B King, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.

In 1963, after he was chucked out of art college, he joined Paul Samwell-Smith, as he was in art school with Keith Relf. He stayed for about 18 months before beginning a stint with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Eric became known as "god", as he impressed the whole English music scene with his amazing guitar playing.

After about a year Eric had had enough of impersonating his blues idols and decided to form a group of his own, so in 1966 he formed a band with bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker (who had the idea) that became known as Cream. This band was not a purist blues group but a hard-driving rock and blues trio. They first performed together at a jazz and blues festival in Surrey before signing a record contract. In November 1966 their debut single, "Wrapping Paper", hit UK #34, but their next single, "I Feel Free", made more of an impression, hitting UK #11 the following January. At the same time they released their debut album "Fresh Cream", which was a top-ten hit, going to UK #6 and went on to make US #39 later in the year.

Cream spent most of 1967 either touring or writing, recording and producing "Disreali Gears", which was to be one of their finest efforts. The first single that confirmed the group as a mainstream success was "Strange Brew", which went to #17 in the UK. After a hectic worldwide tour, their second album "Disreali Gears" was released and became an enormous worldwide hit, rising to UK #5 and US #4. The album's success r4esulted in one of its tracks, "Sunshine Of Your Love", a hit in the US, going to #36. In February 1968 Cream set out on a six-month US tour, the longest time that a British band ad ever been in America. The tour took in hundreds of theaters, arenas and stadiums, but in April 1968 the band was exhausted and decided to take a short break from touring. However, during their break disaster struck. While Cream was in America Eric had given an interview to the magazine "Rolling Stone" which had Eric the editor make critical points about his guitar playing. This led to an eruption within the band, which was the beginning of the end. Despite this setback, the band's US tour carried on until June, during which they had been recording their most popular project, "Wheels Of Fire", a double album that was released in August 1968; the live album shot to UK #3 and the studio effort to UK #7, but both went directly to US #1 for four weeks. Despite the fact that the band had sold so many records, had sold out nearly every concert, had made millions and even managed to boost "Sunshine Of Your Love" to hit US #5 and UK #25, they decided that after a farewell tour of America Cream would split. The band toured North America in October, played two concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London in November and then Cream was no more - as Clapton explained, "The Cream has lost direction."

In the winter of 1969 Eric began jamming with former Traffic front man Steve Winwood, with Ginger Baker also joining in Eric's mansion in Surrey. With bassist Ric Grech added to the lineup, the band became Blind Faith and started rehearsing and recording material. In June 1969, after the band finished a recording session for their first and only album, they made their live debut in Hyde Park to a crowd of over 200,000 fans. Despite the fact that Baker and Grech felt that the concert was a triumph, Clapton and Winwood, however, were more or less convinced that Blind Faith had blown it first time round. However, despite their feelings, Blind Faith set out on a summer sellout tour of the US, playing in arenas and stadiums all over the country. The tour itself earned the band a fortune, but the band members were convinced that the music itself was unsatisfying.

After the tour was over their only album, "Blind Faith", was released, and it topped the charts worldwide. Despite the success of the album and tour Blind Faith still decided to disband, though, and Clapton went on tour with Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, who were Blind Faith's support act on the tour, and also performed at times with The Plastic Ono Band. In March 1970 Eric launched his highly successful solo career, by releasing a first solo album, which featured Delaney & Bonnie.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: Richard Baker
Spouse (2)
Melia McEnery (1 January 2002 - present) ( 3 children)
Pattie Boyd (27 March 1979 - 24 June 1989) ( divorced)

Trade Mark (3)
He plays the Fender Stratocaster
His virtuoso talent on the guitar
His singing voice, just as recognisable as his guitar work

Trivia (102)
1. His maternal grandparents, who raised him, had the surname Clapp. His mother was born when his grandmother was married to a man with the surname Clapton. It has been the source of much confusion about Clapton's real surname.
2. On March 10, 1991, 4-year-old Conor Clapton died after falling out a window of his mother's 53rd-floor apartment. Eric Clapton's Grammy-winning song "Tears in Heaven" was dedicated to the memory of his son.
3. He had a daughter, Ruth, with Yvonne Kelly in 1986. It was made public in 1993.
4. In 1996, he became linked to the singer Sheryl Crow.
5. His son Conor, by Lory Del Santo, was born August, 21, 1986. At the time, Clapton was still married to Pattie Boyd.
6. According to the August 1998 issue of the British music magazine "Q", Clapton ranks #10 on the list of the 100 richest rock stars, with an estimated fortune of over £75m.
7. He was a member of The Yardbirds, John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, and Derek & The Dominos.
8. He played the guitar solo on the song "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" by The Beatles, creating a precedent. No other guitarist from outside the band performed on a song by the band.
9. George Harrison was married to model Pattie Boyd from 1966 to 1977. Clapton fell in love with Boyd, and wrote "Layla" and "Wonderful Tonight" about her. She left Harrison for Clapton, and they were married from 1979 to 1989. Harrison and Clapton referred to each other as "husbands-in-law".
10. His guitars of choice include a Fender Stratocaster and a Gibson Les Paul Standard.
11. His daughter Julie Rose was born June 13, 2001.
12. On January 1, 2002, Eric Clapton and Melia McEnery were married at a church near his home in Surrey, England. Guests were told they were attending the christening of the couple's six-month-old daughter, Julie Rose. After Julie Rose and Clapton's 16-year-old daughter, Ruth, were baptized, the vicar called Clapton and McEnery to the front, and they exchanged wedding vows.
13. He played guitar along with original James Bond guitarist Vic Flick on Michael Kamen's theme for Licence to Kill (1989). The duo were filmed "playing" in various London locations for the expected video. However, the producers decided to opt for a song, sung by Gladys Knight, and the Clapton/Flick instrumental has never been released.
14. He is the only artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times: in 1992 as a member of The Yardbirds, in 1993 as a member of Cream, and in 2000 as a solo performer.
15. He was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1995 Queen's New Year Honours List for his services to music.
16. His daughter Ella Mae was born January 14, 2003.
17. In July 2001, he was voted the South East's best guitarist in Total Guitar Magazine's poll of the greatest 12 British guitarists.
18. Stephen Stills asked him to join Crosby Stills & Nash so that he could help beef up their sound in concert. He refused because he was in the middle of forming Blind Faith with Steve Winwood.
19. He was on the short list of guitarists to replace Brian Jones in The Rolling Stones.
20. In 1969, played with John Lennon and Yoko Ono's The Plastic Ono Band at the Toronto Pop Festival. Other members included Klaus Voormann on bass and Alan White on drums.
21. He quit The Yardbirds after the band decided to do the more pop sounding song "For Your Love", which was a departure from the more traditional blues songs they had been doing.
22. His hits with Cream were "Wrapping Paper", "I Feel Free," "Strange Brew," "Sunshine Of Your Love," "Anyone For Tennis," "Crossroads," "White Room," and "Badge.".
23. He has an office in Chelsea.
24. His current backup band involves people like guitarist Andy Fairweather Low and bassist Nathan East.
25. He has owned a string of Ferraris.
26. He was cured of heroin addiction through electro-acupuncture. Boy George received the same therapy ten years later.
27. He played guitar on Phil Collins's hits "If Leaving Me is Easy" and "I Wish It Would Rain Down." He also appeared in the music video for "I Wish It Would Rain Down".
28. He was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2004 Queen's New Year Honours List for his services to music.
29. He created his own band, Derek & The Dominos, after the break-up of Cream.
30. His daughter Sophie was born February 1, 2005.
31. He was very good friends with Duane Allman, and they held a great deal of respect for each other. Allman played guitar on the Derek and the Dominos song "Layla".
32. He was voted the 53rd Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artist of all time by Rolling Stone.
33. In May 2005, he reunited with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce for a Cream reunion concert.
34. While performing "Further On Up the Road" in The Last Waltz (1978), his guitar strap came undone. To cover for him while he fixed it, Robbie Robertson of The Band improvised a guitar solo.
35. Once while playing a Cream concert, he suddenly stopped playing. Neither Ginger Baker nor Jack Bruce noticed.
36. He owned and played a Gibson Byrdland guitar designed by famous guitarists Hank Garland and Billy Byrd.
37. While many people believe his nickname "Slow Hand(s)" is because his fingers are slow on the guitar, it is actually because once during a concert he played his guitar so hard that one of its strings broke, and he took time out to re-string it. As he did, the fans in attendance began a "slow hand" clap.
38. His performance with Cream: Royal Albert Hall, London May 2-3-5-6 2005 (2005) was the first time Cream had played together since their 1993 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
39. Before the formation of Cream in 1966, he was all but unknown in the United States. He left The Yardbirds before "For Your Love" hit the American Top Ten.
40. When he returned to England after recording the Derek & The Dominos album "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs," he was supporting a £1,000-per-week heroin addiction.
41. Before becoming a musician, he designed stained glass windows.
42. He played two farewell concerts on November 26th; Omnibus: Cream's Farewell Concert (1969) in 1968, and The Last Waltz (1978) in 1976. Ironically, he'd decided to leave Cream partially because of The Band's music.
43. He is mentioned in the song "Life Is a Rock But the Radio Rolled Me" by Reunion.
44. Shortly after the formation of Cream in 1966, the trio got a chance to jam with Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix was a fan of Clapton, and wanted a chance to play with him on stage.
45. He enjoys Mixed Martial Arts.
46. He was the guest of honor at the MMA event "Pride Grand Prix 2000 Tournament", and awarded the winner, Mark "The Hammer" Coleman, with the First Prize Trophy.
47. He has ties to both of the Allman Brothers. With Duane Allman's help, Clapton recorded the album "Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs" in 1970. In 1991, Clapton wrote the score to the film Rush (1991), which featured Duane's brother, Gregg Allman.
48. In 1988, he became the first artist to have a Fender Stratocaster signature model.
49. In 1987, he was the winner of the British Phonographic Industry Award for Outstanding Contribution.
50. When Clapton appeared at Live Aid in Philadelphia, one of his backing drummers was Phil Collins. Hours before, Collins had appeared at Live Aid's London concert at Wembley Stadium.
51. In 2001, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
52. His biography/bibliography/discography is in: "Contemporary Authors". Volume 265, pages 56-60. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Cengage Learning, 2008.
53. He originally played Gibson guitars. He has played a Fender Stratocaster since 1970.
54. He served Ginger Baker his very first French toast while discussing forming Cream.
55. He is consistently listed as one of the UK's wealthiest musicians. In 2009, the Sunday Times List estimated his net worth at $196 million.
56. He is the former brother-in-law of Jenny Boyd.
57. On February 24, 1993, Clapton became the first British artist to win 6 Grammys in one night: Record of the Year for "Tears in Heaven", Song of the Year for "Tears in Heaven", Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male for "Tears in Heaven" , Album of the Year for "Unplugged", Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male for "Unplugged", and Best Rock Song for "Layla" (unplugged version).
58. His 2001 album "Reptile" was acclaimed by Rolling Stone for blending "virtually every style he's worked in during the past thirty-five years".
59. He rarely gives television interviews, although he agreed to be interviewed on The South Bank Show (1978) twice.
60. In June 2002, he participated in the Royal Jubilee Rock Concert, playing with Brian Wilson, Paul McCartney, and Phil Collins.
61. He spent much of 2003 performing with artists such as B.B. King, Willie Nelson, and John Mayall. He did a special concert for his daughter, Ruth's, school in March.
62. In May 2009, he was living in Chelsea, London.
63. His album "Me and Mr Johnson" was a tribute to Robert Johnson.
64. He was a big influence on Joe Bonamassa.
65. In 2007, he released the book "Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Me" by Pattie Boyd with Penny Junor.
66. Despite selling hundreds of millions of records as a solo artist and as a member of Genesis, Phil Collins has said that playing drums for Clapton was the highlight of his whole career.
67. The Band's performance of "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" at The Last Waltz (1978) is his favorite recorded performance of the song.
68. He has performed at Madison Square Garden 45 times, more than any other venue in the United States.
69. His song "Presence of the Lord" (recorded with Blind Faith) is about finding Hurtwood Edge, his estate in Chelsea.
70. He considers his sobriety the most important priority in his life.
71. He played lead guitar on Aretha Franklin's "Good to Me as I Am to You".
72. He recorded a version of "Still Got the Blues" as a tribute to the late Northern Irish guitarist Gary Moore.
73. Good friend of producer Lili Fini Zanuck, director of the film Rush (1991) in which Clapton's Grammy-winning song "Tears in Heaven" was introduced.
74. In the 1980s, he was criticized by fans, critics and some other musicians for becoming too pop-oriented and neglecting his blues roots. He worked with Phil Collins on several occasions during this period, and Collins once said "I do understand that his being associated with me has hurt his credibility in some quarters". Clapton's 1992 live album "Unplugged" was seen by many as an authentic return to form and critical respect.
75. The sudden passing of Jimi Hendrix and then Duane Allman, was what led Eric Clapton to a period of depression. This lasted about 3 years and Clapton's music output was practically nil.
76. When his band Derek and the Dominoes was on the scene, Eric Clapton made every effort to ensure that he wouldn't be discovered as being the group's frontman. Unfortunately, this ruse didn't last.
77. Claims that he had no idea of the bad feeling that existed between Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce when the Cream band was being formed.
78. During the days of Cream, Clapton found himself acting as peacekeeper between his two rather volatile band members. Many a time, he witnessed arguments between Baker and Bruce that threatened to result in violence.
79. Has managed to keep his private life separate from his professional life, avoiding both the fans and the press.
80. Formed a band called the Roosters in the early 1960s, whose line-up included future Manfred Mann member Tom McGuinness.
81. As much as Eric Clapton loved working for blues maestro John Mayall, the guitarist remembers Mayall for being quite a strict taskmaster and that he expected pure, traditional blues music.
82. It took a lot of persuasion for Eric Clapton to perform in public again but he did in 1973, following a hiatus of 2 and a half years.
83. In an article from the Daily Mail newspaper in 1995, Eric Clapton stated that he was putting his drink and drugs lifestyle behind him and beginning life anew. To this day, the guitarist has been true to his word.
84. Very few photos exist of Eric Clapton with his good companion, Jimi Hendrix.
85. Along with his fellow musicians during the days of Cream, Clapton found the constant touring to be exhausting. It was partly down to this hectic work schedule that caused the band to split up in 1968.
86. After being in groups since 1963, Eric Clapton decided to concentrate on a solo career only.
87. With the death of drummer Ginger Baker in October 2019, he became the last surviving member of legendary trio Cream.
88. When performing with Delaney and Bonnie and Friends in 1969, Clapton met the musicians who would form his band - Derek and the Dominos.
89. The "Rainbow Concert" of 1973 was the first time Clapton performed live since 1970.
90. Along with fellow Cream members Baker and Bruce, Clapton suspected their manager Robert Stigwood of stealing their earnings.
91. Admitted to being somewhat lonely, during his childhood.
92. Began playing the guitar at the age of 14.
93. After the acrimonious break up of Derek and the Dominoes, Eric Clapton vowed that he would never form another band or be part of another band. To this day, he has kept his word.
94. When he was a member of the Yardbirds, the management weren't very happy when Eric Clapton shaved his head so he could as look as different as possible from his band-mates.
95. Had an unsuccessful meeting with his biological mother when he was 9 years old. Afterwards, Eric Clapton never contacted her again.
96. Wrote letters to Patti Boyd, expressing his passionate feelings toward her.
97. It was a mutual agreement between Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood to create different music, when the group Blind Faith was put together.
98. Was introduced to Duane Allman during an Allman Brothers Band concert.
99. Was taking a lot of cocaine, along with his colleagues - during the recording of the "Layla" album.
100. About the time Jimi Hendrix passed away, Clapton had purchased a custom-made left handed fender stratocaster guitar.
101. Was disappointed when the album, "Layla and other Love Songs" failed to sell successfully on the American charts in 1970.
102. During the worst period of his battle with alcohol, Clapton began to have seizures. After being examined by a doctor, the guitarist was told that he needed to stop drinking or die.

Personal Quotes (14)
1. Given the choice between accomplishing something and just lying around, I'd rather lie around. No contest.
2. I am, and always will be, a blues guitarist.
3. [about "Layla"] To have ownership of something that powerful is something I'll never be able to get used to. It still knocks me out when I play it.
4. My original interests and intentions in guitar playing were primarily created on quality of tone, for instance, the way the instrument could be made to echo or simulate the human voice. At the time when I was still thrashing around on the acoustic guitar trying to sound like Leadbelly or Jesse Fuller, there was someone who had already achieved this particular goal. That was Hank Marvin [Hank B. Marvin] of The Shadows. He had found, and settled on, a clean, pure sound which disallowed any kind of ham-fisted playing. Only the lightest touch was permitted. The result was a marvelous mixture of clear, sweet melody over a strong rock beat (and what a great drum sound). On top of all this, he looked like Buddy Holly and played a real Stratocaster!
5. When all the original blues guys are gone, you start to realize that someone has to tend to the tradition. I recognize that I have some responsibility to keep the music alive, and it's a pretty honorable position to be in.
6. I would challenge anybody to come up with a better design for a guitar. The Stratocaster is as good as it gets.
7. [on John Martyn] So far ahead of everything, it's almost inconceivable.
8. The blues are what I've turned to, what has given me inspiration and relief in all the trials of my life.
9. My dedication to my music has driven everyone away. I've had girlfriends, but I always end up on my own. I don't particularly like it, but I don't see a way 'round it.
10. I'd love to knock an audience cold with one note, but what do you do for the rest of the evening?
11. We didn't really have a band with Cream. We rarely played as an ensemble; we were three virtuosos, all of us soloing all the time.
12. I went out in the garden and cried all day because he'd left me behind. Not because he'd gone, but because he hadn't taken me with him. It just made me so fucking angry. I wasn't sad, I was just pissed off. [explaining his reaction to the death of Jimi Hendrix]
13. [About his alcoholism during the 1980s] The only reason I didn't commit suicide was because I knew I wouldn't be able to drink anymore if I was dead.
14. [about Jimi Hendrix's death] That was the first time the death of another musician really affected me. We had all felt obliterated when Buddy Holly died, but this was much more personal.


2. Background from {[https://www.biography.com/musician/eric-clapton]}
"Early Life
One of the great rock 'n' roll guitarists of all time, Eric Patrick Clapton was born March 30, 1945, in Ripley, Surrey, England. Clapton's mother, Patricia Molly Clapton, was only 16 years old at the time of his birth; his father, Edward Walter Fryer, was a 24-year-old Canadian soldier stationed in the United Kingdom during World War II. Fryer returned to Canada, where he was already married to another woman, before Clapton's birth.
As a single teenage mother, Patricia Clapton was unprepared to raise a child on her own, so her mother and stepfather, Rose and Jack Clapp, raised Clapton as their own. Although they never legally adopted him, Clapton grew up under the impression that his grandparents were his parents and that his mother was his older sister. Clapton's last name comes from his grandfather, Patricia's father, Reginald Cecil Clapton.
Eric Clapton grew up in a very musical household. His grandmother was a skilled pianist, and his mother and uncle both enjoyed listening to big-band music. As it turns out, Clapton's absent father was also a talented pianist who had played in several dance bands while stationed in Surrey. Around the age of eight, Clapton discovered the earth-shattering truth that the people he believed were his parents were actually his grandparents and that the woman he considered his older sister was in fact his mother. Clapton later recalled, "The truth dawned on me, that when Uncle Adrian jokingly called me a little bastard, he was telling the truth."
The young Clapton, until then a good student and well-liked boy, grew sullen and reserved and lost all motivation to do his schoolwork. He describes a moment shortly after learning the news of his parentage: "I was playing around with my grandma's compact, with a little mirror you know, and I saw myself in two mirrors for the first time and I don't know about you but it was like hearing your voice on a tape machine for the first... and I didn't, I, I was so upset. I saw a receding chin and a broken nose and I thought my life is over." Clapton failed the important 11-plus exams that determine admission to secondary school. However, he showed a high aptitude for art, so at the age of 13 he enrolled in the art branch of the Holyfield Road School.

Musical Start
By that time, 1958, rock 'n' roll had exploded onto the British music scene; for his 13th birthday, Clapton asked for a guitar. He received a cheap German-made Hoyer, and finding the steel-stringed guitar difficult and painful to play, he soon set it aside. At the age of 16, he gained acceptance into the Kingston College of Art on a one-year probation; it was there, surrounded by teenagers with musical tastes similar to his own, that Clapton really took to the instrument. Clapton was especially taken with the blues guitar played by musicians such as Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and Alexis Korner, the last of whom inspired Clapton to buy his first electric guitar—a relative rarity in England.
It was also at Kingston that Clapton discovered something that would have nearly as great an impact on his life as the guitar: booze. He recalls that the first time he got drunk, at the age of 16, he woke up alone in the woods, covered in vomit and without any money. "I couldn't wait to do it all again," Clapton remembers. Unsurprisingly, Clapton was expelled from school after his first year.
He later explained, "Even when you got to art school, it wasn't just a rock 'n' roll holiday camp. I got thrown out after a year for not doing any work. That was a real shock. I was always in the pub or playing the guitar." Finished with school, in 1963 Clapton started hanging around the West End of London and trying to break into the music industry as a guitarist. That year, he joined his first band, The Roosters, but they broke up after only a few months. Next he joined the pop-oriented Casey Jones and The Engineers but left the band after just a few weeks. At this point, not yet making a living off his music, Clapton worked as a laborer at construction sites to make ends meet.
Already one of the most respected guitarists on the West End pub circuit, in October 1963 Clapton received an invitation to join a band called The Yardbirds. With The Yardbirds, Clapton recorded his first commercial hits, "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" and "For Your Love," but he soon grew frustrated with the band's commercial pop sound and left the group in 1965. The two young guitarists who replaced Clapton in The Yardbirds, Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck, would also go on to rank among the greatest rock guitarists in history.

Making History
Later in 1965, Clapton joined the blues band John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, the next year recording an album called The Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton, which established his reputation as one of the great guitarists of the age. The album, which included songs such as "What'd I Say" and "Ramblin' on My Mind," is widely considered among the greatest blues albums of all time. Clapton's miraculous guitar-playing on the album also inspired his most flattering nickname, "God," popularized by a bit of graffiti on the wall of a London Tube station reading "Clapton is God."
Despite the record's success, Clapton soon left the Bluesbreakers as well; a few months later, he teamed up with bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker to form the rock trio Cream. Performing highly original takes on blues classics such as "Crossroads" and "Spoonful," as well as modern blues tracks like "Sunshine of Your Love" and "White Room," Clapton pushed the boundaries of blues guitar. On the strength of three well-received albums, Fresh Cream (1966), Disraeli Gears (1967) and Wheels of Fire (1968), as well as extensive touring in the United States, Cream achieved international superstar status. Yet they, too, broke up after two final concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall, citing clashing egos as the cause.

Hard Times
After the breakup of Cream, Clapton formed yet another band, Blind Faith, but the group broke up after only one album and a disastrous American tour. Then, in 1970, he formed Derek and the Dominos, and went on to compose and record one of the seminal albums of rock history, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. A concept album about unrequited love, Clapton wrote Layla to express his desperate affection for Pattie Boyd, the wife of the Beatles' George Harrison. The album was critically acclaimed but a commercial failure, and in its aftermath a depressed and lonely Clapton deteriorated into three years of heroin addiction.
Clapton finally kicked his drug habit and reemerged onto the music scene in 1974 with two concerts at London's Rainbow Theater organized by his friend Pete Townshend of The Who. Later that year he released 461 Ocean Boulevard, featuring one his most popular singles, a cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff." The album marked the beginning of a remarkably prolific solo career during which Clapton produced notable album after notable album. Highlights include No Reason to Cry (1976), featuring "Hello Old Friend"; Slowhand (1977), featuring "Cocaine" and "Wonderful Tonight"; and Behind the Sun (1985), featuring "She's Waiting" and "Forever Man."
Despite his great musical productivity during these years, Clapton's personal life remained in woeful disarray. In 1979, five years after her divorce from George Harrison, Pattie Boyd finally did marry Eric Clapton. However, by this time Clapton had simply replaced his heroin addiction with alcoholism, and his drinking placed a constant strain on their relationship. He was an unfaithful husband and conceived two children with other women during their marriage.
A yearlong affair with Yvonne Kelly produced a daughter, Ruth, in 1985, and an affair with Italian model Lory Del Santo led to a son, Conor, in 1986. Clapton and Boyd divorced in 1989. In 1991, Eric Clapton's son Conor died when he fell out of the window of his mother's apartment. The tragedy took a heavy toll on Eric Clapton and also inspired one of his most beautiful and heartfelt songs, "Tears in Heaven."

New Beginnings
In 1987, with the help of the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, Clapton finally quit drinking and has remained sober ever since. Being sober for the first time in his adult life allowed Clapton to achieve the kind of personal happiness he had never known before. In 1998, he founded the Crossroads Centre, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility, and in 2002, he married Melia McEnery. Together they have three daughters, Julie Rose, Ella Mae and Sophie.

Clapton, who published his autobiography in 2007, was ranked the second greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone in 2015. An 18-time Grammy Award winner and the only triple inductee of the Rock and Roll of Fame (as a member of The Yardbirds, as a member of Cream and as a solo artist), he continued to record music and tour through his 60s, while also performing charity work.

In 2016, Clapton revealed that he had been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy three years earlier, a condition that left him with back and leg pain. In early 2018, he admitted in an interview that he was also dealing with tinnitus, a ringing in the ears caused by noise-induced hearing loss. Despite the ailments, the guitar legend said he intended to continue performing that year."


Eric Clapton - Standing At The Crossroads
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYLRXo6dMa4

FYI SMSgt Lawrence McCarter SPC Randy Zimmerman CPT Paul Whitmer Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SFC William Farrell SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSG William Jones SSG Diane R. SSG Michael Noll

Good Saturday morning Maj Marty Hogan! and thank you for your Post regarding The one and only Eric Clapton... I remember some of his songs, "Lay Down Sally", "I Shot The Sheriff", "Tulsa Time", and "Autumn Leaves", just to name a few... Here is one of his music videos, "Autumn Leaves"!
https://youtu.be/UQlFOX0YKlQ

One of the best in the world!!!