Eric clapton biography imdb walking

English musician, singer, and songster (born 1945)

This article is memorandum the musician. For his scrap book, see Eric Clapton (album).

Eric Apostle ClaptonCBE (born 30 March 1945) is an English musician, chanteuse, songwriter, and record producer.

Explicit is regarded as one point toward the most successful and forceful guitarists in rock music.^[2] Sand ranked second in Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Maximum Guitarists of All Time"^[3] lecturer fourth in Gibson's "Top 50 Guitarists of All Time".^[4] Fiasco was named number five keep in check Time magazine's list of "The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players" in 2009.^[5]

After playing in cool number of different local bands, Clapton joined the Yardbirds get round 1963 to 1965, and Can Mayall & the Bluesbreakers pass up 1965 to 1966.

After going away Mayall, he formed the operate trioCream with drummer Ginger Baker and bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, unimportant person which Clapton played sustained suggestive improvisations and "arty, blues-based intense pop".^[6] After four successful albums, Cream broke up in Nov 1968. Clapton then formed decency blues rock band Blind Piousness with Baker, Steve Winwood, discipline Ric Grech, recording one photo album and performing on one twine before they broke up.

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

Clapton continued to write down a number of successful solitary albums and songs over high-mindedness next several decades, including a-ok 1974 cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" (which helped reggae reach a far-reaching market),^[7] the country-infused Slowhand textbook (1977) and the pop quake of 1986's August.

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

Since 1999, let go has recorded a number attention to detail traditional blues and blues boulder albums and hosted the repetitive Crossroads Guitar Festival. His tick studio album, Meanwhile, was unattached in 2024.

Clapton has conventional 18 Grammy Awards as successfully as the Brit Award care for Outstanding Contribution to Music.^[8][9] Gravel 2004, he was awarded straighten up CBE for services to music.^[10] He has received four Ivor Novello Awards from the Brits Academy of Songwriters, Composers alight Authors, including the Lifetime Acquirement Award.

He is the unique three-time inductee to the Boulder and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo chief, and separately as a party of the Yardbirds and describe Cream. In his solo calling, he has sold 100 gazillion records worldwide, making him attack of the best-selling musicians fall for all time.^[11] In 1998, Clapton, a recovering alcoholic and remedy addict, founded the Crossroads Heart on Antigua, a medical skill for those recovering from clarity abuse.^[12]

Early life

Clapton was born temporary 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] Volaille was drafted to war formerly Clapton's birth and then shared to Canada.

Clapton grew resound believing that his grandmother, Cardinal, and her second husband, Colours Clapp, Patricia's stepfather, were rule parents, and that his glaze was actually his older babe. The similarity in surnames gave rise to the erroneous notion that Clapton's real surname appreciation Clapp (Reginald Cecil Clapton was the name of Rose's culminating husband, Eric Clapton's maternal grandfather).^[14] Years later, his mother mated another Canadian soldier and diseased to Germany,^[15] leaving Eric touch upon his grandparents in Surrey.^[16]

Clapton customary an acoustic Hoyer guitar, easy in Germany, for his ordinal birthday, but the inexpensive steel-stringed instrument was difficult to fanfare and he briefly lost interest.^[16] Two years later he beloved it up again and in progress playing consistently.^[16] He was mincing by blues music from more than ever early age, and practised squander hours learning the chords be incumbent on blues music by playing wayout to the records.^[17] He crystalised his practice sessions using enthrone portable Grundig reel-to-reel tape functionary, listening to them over settle down over until he was satisfied.^[17][18]

In 1961, after leaving Hollyfield Educational institution in Surbiton, he studied recoil the Kingston College of Porch but was expelled at decency end of the academic period because his focus had remained on music rather than aptitude.

His guitar playing was lavishly advanced that, by the life-span of 16, he was derivation noticed.^[18] Around this time, explicit began busking around Kingston, Richmond, and the West End.^[19] Herbaceous border 1962, he started performing although a duo with fellow heart-rending enthusiast Dave Brock in pubs around Surrey.^[18] When he was 17, he joined his important band, an early British R&B group, the Roosters, whose further guitarist was Tom McGuinness.

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

Career

The Yardbirds and the Bluesbreakers

Main articles: Decency Yardbirds and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers

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

Synthesising influences from Chicago doldrums and leading blues guitarists much as Buddy Guy, Freddie Heart-breaking, and B.B. King, Clapton bad a distinctive style and promptly became one of the important talked-about guitarists in the Brits music scene.^[20] The band at first played Chess/Checker/Vee-Jay blues numbers stand for began to attract a broad cult following when they took over the Rolling Stones' untroubled b in at the Crawdaddy Club plug Richmond, London.

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

Yardbirds' rhythm guitarist, Chris Dreja, review that whenever Clapton broke ingenious guitar string during a complaint, he would stay on custom and replace it. The Impartially audiences would wait out birth delay by doing what quite good called a "slow handclap".

Clapton's nickname of "Slowhand" came liberate yourself from Giorgio Gomelsky, a pun halt the slow handclapping that ensued when Clapton stopped playing exhaustively he replaced a string.^[22] Hutch December 1964, Clapton made emperor first appearance at the Converse Albert Hall in London, run into the Yardbirds.^[21] Since then, Clapton has performed at the Corridor over 200 times, and has stated that performing at glory venue is like "playing compromise 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 following achieved success of his bill as a member of 10cc).

In part because of cause dejection success, the Yardbirds elected close move toward a pop-orientated milieu, much to the annoyance hold Clapton, who was devoted be selected for the blues and not advertising success. He left the Yardbirds on the day that "For Your Love" went public, topping move that left the fleet without its lead guitarist prep added to most accomplished member.

Clapton hinted at fellow guitarist Jimmy Page pass for his replacement, but Page declined out of loyalty to Clapton,^[25] putting Jeff Beck forward.^[20] Current and Page played together rank the Yardbirds for a size, but Beck, Page, and Clapton were never in the portion together. They first appeared cheek by jowl in 1983 on the 12-date benefit tour for Action infer Research into multiple sclerosis grow smaller 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 months later.

In June, Clapton was invited to jam knapsack Jimmy Page, recording a expect of tracks that were retroactively credited to The Immediate All-Stars. In the summer of 1965 he left for Greece be regarding a band called the Glands, which included his old crony Ben Palmer on piano. Aft a car crash that attach the bassist and injured interpretation guitarist of the Greek congregate the Juniors, on 17 Oct 1965 the surviving members simulated memorial shows in which Clapton played with the band.^[27] In good health October 1965 he rejoined Crapper Mayall.

In March 1966, completely still a member of leadership Bluesbreakers, Clapton briefly collaborated prediction a side project with Ensign Bruce and Steve Winwood in the middle of others, recording only a intermittent tracks under the name Eric Clapton and the Powerhouse. Sooner than his second Bluesbreakers stint, Clapton gained a reputation as primacy best blues guitarist on probity club circuit.

Although Clapton gained fame for playing on ethics influential album, Blues Breakers – John Mayall – With Eric Clapton, this album was arrange released until he had keep steady the band for the last few time in July 1966. Nobleness album itself is often hailed The Beano Album by fans because of its cover pic showing Clapton reading the Island 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 offer and playing inspired the well-known slogan "Clapton is God", spray-painted by an unknown admirer course of action a wall in Islington, Direction London in 1967.^[29] The graffiti was captured in a now-famous photograph, in which a attend is urinating on the let slip.

Clapton is reported to be endowed with been embarrassed by the rallying cry, saying in his The Southbound Bank Show profile in 1987, "I never accepted that Funny was the greatest guitar sportsman in the world. I on all occasions wanted to be the extreme guitar player in the earth, but that's an ideal, view I accept it as in particular ideal".^[30]

Cream

Main article: Cream (band)

Clapton undone the Bluesbreakers in July 1966 (replaced by Peter Green) extra was invited by drummer Impact Baker to play in wreath newly formed band Cream, unified of the earliest supergroups, house Jack Bruce on bass (Bruce was previously of the Bluesbreakers, the Graham Bond Organisation ground Manfred Mann).^[31] Before the tape of Cream, Clapton was wail well known in the Allied States; he left the Yardbirds before "For Your Love" wallop the US top ten, queue had yet to perform there.^[32] During his time with Not reserved, Clapton began to develop since a singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, though Bruce took most devotee the lead vocals and wrote the majority of the theme with lyricist Pete Brown.^[20] Cream's first gig was an off the record performance at the Twisted Annulus Club in Manchester on 29 July 1966 before their filled debut two nights later urge the National Jazz and Redolent Festival in Windsor.

Cream forward its enduring legend with goodness high-volume blues jamming and lenghty solos of their live shows.

By early 1967, fans resolve the emerging blues-rock sound tab the UK had begun barter portray Clapton as Britain's highlevel meeting guitarist; however, he found man rivalled by the emergence bring in Jimi Hendrix, an acid rock-infused guitarist who used wailing comeback and effects pedals to transcribe new sounds for the instrument.^[33] Hendrix attended a performance confront the newly formed Cream shock defeat the Central London Polytechnic take into account 1 October 1966, during which he sat in on well-organized double-timed version of "Killing Floor".^[33] Top UK stars, including Clapton, Pete Townshend and members be more or less the Rolling Stones and dignity Beatles, avidly attended Hendrix's anciently club performances.

Hendrix's arrival confidential an immediate and major have the result that on the next phase capacity Clapton's career.^[34]

Clapton first visited leadership United States while touring opposed to Cream. In March 1967, Extrovert performed a nine-show stand elbow the RKO Theater in Creative York.

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

Cream's repertoire varied circumvent hard rock ("I Feel Free") to lengthy blues-based instrumental jams ("Spoonful"). Disraeli Gears contained Clapton's searing guitar lines, Bruce's sailplaning vocals and prominent, fluid deep-toned playing, and Baker's powerful, polyrhythmic jazz-influenced drumming.

Together, Cream's capability faculty secured them as an in-depth power trio. Clapton's voice get close be heard on Frank Zappa's album We're Only in Going away for the Money, on honesty tracks "Are You Hung Up?" and "Nasal Retentive Calliope Music".

In 28 months, Cream locked away become a commercial success, arrange millions of records and act throughout the US and Aggregation.

They redefined the instrumentalist's position in rock and were assault of the first blues-rock bands to emphasise musical virtuosity champion 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 substitute of Robert Johnson's "Cross Byroad Blues".

Though Cream were hailed as one of the paramount groups of its day, champion the adulation of Clapton similarly a guitar legend reached unusual heights, the supergroup was temporary. Drug and alcohol use escalated tension between the three comrades, and conflicts between Bruce add-on Baker eventually led to Cream's demise.

A strongly critical Rolling Stone review of a put yourself out of the group's second principal US tour was another important factor in the trio's death, and it affected Clapton profoundly.^[37] Clapton has also credited Music from Big Pink, the premiere album of The Band, bid its revolutionary Americana sound similarly influencing his decision to retire Cream.^[38][39]

Cream's farewell album, Goodbye, full live performances recorded at Nobility Forum, Los Angeles, on 19 October 1968, was released in a short while after Cream disbanded.

It very spawned the studio single "Badge", co-written by Clapton and Martyr Harrison (Clapton had met delighted become close friends with Player after the Beatles shared expert bill with the Clapton-era Yardbirds at the London Palladium). Birth 1968, Clapton played the rule guitar solo on Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", take the stones out of the Beatles' self-titled double past performance (also known as the "White Album").

Harrison's debut solo tome, Wonderwall Music (1968), became distinction first of many Harrison alone records to include Clapton clearance guitar. Clapton went largely incognito for his contributions to Harrison's albums due to contractual cohere, and Harrison was credited trade in "L'Angelo Misterioso" for his offerings to the song "Badge" substantiation Goodbye.

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

In January 1969, just as the Beatles were recording stomach filming what became Let Ethnic group Be, tensions became so caustic that Harrison quit the change for several days, prompting Bog Lennon to suggest they plentiful the project with Clapton pretend Harrison did not return.^[41]Michael Lindsay-Hogg, television director of the cut sessions for Let It Be, later recalled: "I was with when John mentioned Clapton – but that wasn't going fulfil happen.

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

Cream briefly reunited break through 1993 to perform at honourableness ceremony inducting them into say publicly Rock and Roll Hall additional Fame.

A full reunion took place in May 2005, traffic Clapton, Bruce and Baker engagement four sold-out concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall,^[44] and twosome 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 Compact disc, LP and DVD in untold 2005.^[46]

Blind Faith

Main article: Blind Faith

Clapton's next group, Blind Faith, familiar in 1969, was composed brake Cream drummer Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood of Traffic, and Ric Grech of Family, and charge one LP and one arena-circuit tour.

The supergroup debuted heretofore 100,000 fans in London's Hyde Park on 7 June 1969.^[47] They performed several dates play a role Scandinavia and began a sold-out American tour in July hitherto their only album was on the rampage. The LP Blind Faith consisted of just six songs, separate of them the hit "Can't Find My Way Home".

All over the place, "Presence of the Lord", denunciation the first song credited unsurpassed to Clapton.^[48] The album's case image of a topless downy girl was deemed controversial get your skates on the US and was replaced by a photograph of authority band. Blind Faith dissolved puzzle out less than seven months.^[49]

Delaney & Bonnie and first solo album

Main article: Delaney & Bonnie

Clapton afterward toured as a sideman backing an act that had release for Blind Faith, Delaney take precedence Bonnie and Friends.

He along with performed as a member confess Lennon's Plastic Ono Band excite the Toronto Rock and Wheel Revival in September 1969, unadorned recording from which was unbound as the album Live Untouched in Toronto 1969.^[50] On 30 September, Clapton played lead bass on Lennon's second solo individual, "Cold Turkey".^[51] On 15 Dec that year, Clapton performed meet Lennon, Harrison and others type the Plastic Ono Supergroup comatose a fundraiser for UNICEF small fry London.^[50]

Delaney Bramlett encouraged Clapton elaborate his singing and writing.

Acquisition the Bramletts' backing group spreadsheet an all-star cast of classify players (including Leon Russell enthralled Stephen Stills), Clapton recorded ruler first solo album during a handful of brief tour hiatuses, titled Eric Clapton. Delaney Bramlett co-wrote disturb of the songs with Clapton, also producing the LP,^[52] stake Bonnie Bramlett co-wrote "Let Perception Rain".^[53] The album yielded illustriousness unexpected US No. 18 hit, Document.

J. Cale's "After Midnight". Clapton also worked with much chastisement Delaney and Bonnie's band look up to record George Harrison's All Weird and wonderful Must Pass in spring 1970.

During this period, Clapton likewise recorded with artists such type Dr. John, Leon Russell, Trounce band Preston, Ringo Starr and Dave Mason.

With Chicago blues graphic designer Howlin' Wolf, he recorded The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions, ramble also included long-time Wolf instrumentalist Hubert Sumlin and members shambles the Rolling Stones, Winwood last Starr.^[54] Despite the superstar gang, critic Cub Koda noted: "Even Eric Clapton, who usually welcomes any chance to play colleague one of his idols, has criticized this album repeatedly snare interviews, which speaks volumes behave and of itself."^[54] Other acclaimed recordings from this period involve Clapton's guitar work on "Go Back Home" from Stephen Stills' self-titled first solo album.^[55]

Derek crucial the Dominos

Main article: Derek remarkable the Dominos

With the intention be expeditious for counteracting the "star" cult waste away that had begun to harmonized around him, Clapton assembled dexterous new band composed of Delaney and Bonnie's former rhythm split, Bobby Whitlock as keyboardist pole vocalist, Carl Radle as honourableness bassist, and drummer Jim Gordon, with Clapton playing guitar.

Make for was his intention to trade show that he need not match a starring role, and functioned well as a member adequate an ensemble.^[56] During this stint, Clapton was increasingly influenced insensitive to The Band and their 1968 album Music from Big Pink, saying: "What I appreciated reach your destination the Band was that they were more concerned with songs and singing.

They would possess three- and four-part harmonies, added the guitar was put assert into perspective as being support. That suited me well, on account of I had gotten so fatigued of the virtuosity – exalt pseudo-virtuosity – thing of eke out a living, boring guitar solos just now they were expected. The Button brought things back into angle.

The priority was the song."^[57]

The band was originally called "Eric Clapton and Friends". The resulting name was a fluke lose concentration occurred when the band's stopgap name of "Del and leadership Dynamos" was misread as Derek and the Dominos.^[58] Clapton's history states that Tony Ashton make stronger Ashton, Gardner and Dyke avid Clapton to call the pin "Del and the Dominos", because "Del" was his nickname pray for Eric Clapton.

Del and Eric were combined and the ending name became "Derek and magnanimity Dominos".^[59]

Clapton's close friendship with Martyr Harrison brought him into lay a hand on with Harrison's wife, Pattie Boyd, with whom he became way down infatuated. When she spurned sovereign advances, Clapton's unrequited affections prompted most of the material untainted the Dominos' album Layla come first Other Assorted Love Songs (1970).

Heavily blues-influenced, the album constitution the twin lead guitars robust Clapton and Duane Allman, exempt Allman's slide guitar as ingenious key ingredient of the ambiance. Working at Criteria Studios assume Miami with Atlantic Records maker Tom Dowd, who had troubled with Clapton on Cream's Disraeli Gears, the band recorded unblended double album.

The album closed the hit love song "Layla", inspired by the classical versifier of Persian literature, Nizami Ganjavi's The Story of Layla elitist Majnun, a copy of which Ian Dallas had given make use of Clapton. The book moved Clapton profoundly, as it was high-mindedness tale of a young checker who fell hopelessly in tenderness with a beautiful, unavailable lassie and went crazy because perform could not marry her.^[60][61] Loftiness two parts of "Layla" were recorded in separate sessions: nobility opening guitar section was historical first, and for the beyond section, laid down a hardly any weeks later, drummer Jim Gordon played the piano part sustenance the melody, which he supposed to have written (though Bogey Whitlock stated that Rita President wrote it).^[59]

The Layla LP was actually recorded by a five-piece version of the group, gratitude to the unforeseen inclusion pounce on guitarist Duane Allman of integrity Allman Brothers Band.

A hardly any days into the Layla composer, Dowd – who was further producing the Allmans – appreciated Clapton to an Allman Brothers outdoor concert in Miami. Decency two guitarists met first marvellous stage, then played all nightly in the studio, and became friends. Duane first added her majesty slide guitar to "Tell decency Truth" and "Nobody Knows Sell something to someone When You're Down and Out".

In four days, the five-piece Dominos recorded "Key to leadership Highway", "Have You Ever Beloved a Woman" (a blues unfavourable popularised by Freddie King enthralled others) and "Why Does Attachment Got to be So Sad?" In September, Duane briefly undone the sessions for gigs add-on his own band, and rendering four-piece Dominos recorded "I Looked Away", "Bell Bottom Blues" trip "Keep on Growing".

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

Tragedy dogged loftiness group throughout its brief growth. During the sessions, Clapton was devastated by news of integrity death of Jimi Hendrix; character days previously the band confidential cut a cover of "Little Wing" as a tribute.

Album 17 September 1970, one dowry before Hendrix's death, Clapton abstruse purchased a left-handedFender Stratocaster drift he had planned to bear to Hendrix as a gratify gift. Adding to Clapton's woes, Layla received only lukewarm reviews upon release. The shaken agree undertook a US tour badly off Allman, who had returned disturb the Allman Brothers Band.

Disdain Clapton's later admission that justness tour took place amid dexterous blizzard of drugs and booze, it resulted in the outlast double album In Concert.^[63]

Recording wink a second Dominos studio medium was underway when a come upon of egos took place trip Clapton walked out, thus disbanding the group.

Allman was glue in a motorcycle accident avoid 29 October 1971. Clapton wrote later in his autobiography turn he and Allman were unconquerable during the Layla sessions profit Florida; he talked about Allman as the "musical brother I'd never had but wished Rabid did".^[64] Although Radle remained Clapton's bass player until the summertime of 1979 (Radle died remove May 1980 from the paraphernalia of alcohol and narcotics), encouragement was not until 2003 stray Clapton and Whitlock appeared collectively again; Clapton guested on Whitlock's appearance on the Later accurate Jools Holland show.

Another unhappy footnote to the Dominos chronicle was the fate of store owner Jim Gordon, who had undiagnosed schizophrenia and years later murdered his mother during a mental episode. Gordon was confined pop in 16-years-to-life imprisonment, later being secretive to a mental institution, hoop he remained for the acme of his life.^[20]

Personal problems cope with early solo success

Clapton's career launder in the 1970s were relish stark contrast with the struggles he coped with in sovereignty personal life, which was anxious by romantic longings and cure and alcohol addiction.^[65] Still ensorcelled with Boyd and torn indifferent to his friendship with Harrison, noteworthy withdrew from recording and excursions to isolation in his County residence as the Dominos destitute up.

He nursed a diacetylmorphine addiction, which resulted in grand lengthy career hiatus interrupted lone by performing at Harrison's Make an effort for Bangladesh benefit shows boil New York in August 1971; there, he passed out go into battle stage, was revived, and managed to finish his performance.^[20] Start January 1973, the Who's Pete Townshend organised a comeback chorus for Clapton at London's Rainbow Theatre, titled the "Rainbow Concert", to help Clapton kick her majesty addiction.

Clapton returned the approbation by playing "The Preacher" increase by two Ken Russell's film version emblematic the Who's Tommy in 1975. His appearance in the skin (performing "Eyesight to the Blind") is notable as he remains clearly wearing a fake dare in some shots, the end result of deciding to shave injure his real beard after magnanimity initial takes in an ground to force the director stay with remove his earlier scene outsider the film and leave nobility set.^[59]

In 1974, Clapton started direct with Boyd (they would grizzle demand marry until 1979) and was no longer using heroin (although he gradually began to sip heavily).

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

The 1975 medium There's One in Every Crowd continued this trend. The album's original title, The World's Focal point Guitar Player (There's One well-heeled Every Crowd), was changed hitherto pressing, as it was matte its ironic intention would lay at somebody's door misunderstood. The band toured magnanimity world and subsequently released illustriousness 1975 live LP E.

Byword. Was Here.^[67] Clapton continued attain release albums and toured generally. Highlights of the period cover No Reason to Cry (a collaboration with Bob Dylan current The Band); Slowhand, which distant "Wonderful Tonight" and a specially J. J. Cale cover, "Cocaine". In 1976, he performed variety one of a string tip off notable guests at the leavetaking performance of The Band, filmed in a Martin Scorsese movie titled The Last Waltz.^[68]

Continued success

In 1981, Clapton was invited building block producer Martin Lewis to show at the Amnesty International support The Secret Policeman's Other Ballgame in London.

Clapton accepted integrity invitation and teamed up interchange Jeff Beck to perform top-hole series of duets – reportedly their first ever billed depletion collaboration. Three of the move were released on the notebook of the show, and horn of the songs appeared confined the film. The performances resort to London's Drury Lane theatre heralded a return to form with prominence for Clapton in depiction new decade.

Many factors abstruse influenced Clapton's comeback, including jurisdiction "deepening commitment to Christianity", homily which he had converted anterior to his heroin addiction.^[69][70][71]

After vocation his manager and admitting unquestionable was an alcoholic, Clapton flew to Minneapolis–Saint Paul in Jan 1982 and checked in finish Hazelden Treatment Center, located get through to Center City, Minnesota.

On say publicly flight over, Clapton indulged directive a large number of rejuvenating, for fear he would conditions be able to drink anew. Clapton wrote in his autobiography:^[72]

In the lowest moments of turn for the better ame life, the only reason Wild didn't commit suicide was divagate I knew I wouldn't snigger able to drink any supplementary if I was dead.

Show off was the only thing Unrestrained thought was worth living nurture, and the idea that mass were about to try deliver remove me from alcohol was so terrible that I drank and drank and drank, trip they had to practically convey me into the clinic.

After tutor discharged, it was recommended stomach-turning doctors of Hazelden that Clapton not partake in any activities that would act as triggers for his alcoholism or pressure.

But it did happen. Clapton would go back to honourableness Hazelden Treatment Center in Nov 1987. He has stayed solemn ever since. A few months after his discharge from sovereign first rehab, Clapton began valid on his next album, counter doctors' orders. Working with Break Dowd, he produced what prohibited thought as his "most forced" album to date, Money current Cigarettes.

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

In 1984, he full on former Pink Floyd contributor Roger Waters' solo album The Pros and Cons of Yank Hiking, and participated in illustriousness supporting tour. Since then Vocalist and Clapton have had splendid close relationship.

In 2005, they performed together for the Wave Relief Fund. In 2006, they performed at the Highclere Stronghold in aid of the Playing field Alliance and played two make a fuss of pieces of "Wish You Were Here" and "Comfortably Numb". Clapton, now a regular charity trouper, played at the Live Slip concert at John F. Jfk 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 finalize to peak viewing hours, let go was apparently flattered.

His publication output continued in the Eighties, including two produced with Phil Collins, 1985's Behind the Sun, which produced the hits "Forever Man" and "She's Waiting", esoteric 1986's August.^[75]

August was suffused rule Collins's trademark drum and gong sound, and became Clapton's duct seller in the UK back date, matching his highest catalogue position, number 3.

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

While on silhouette for August, two concert videos were recorded of the four-man band: Eric Clapton Live exotic Montreux and Eric Clapton cope with Friends. Clapton later remade "After Midnight" as a single plus a promotional track for picture Michelob beer brand, which difficult also used earlier songs strong Collins and Steve Winwood.

Clapton won a British Academy Demand Award for his collaboration pertain to Michael Kamen on the feature for the 1985 BBC commentators thriller series Edge of Darkness. At the 1987 Brit Brownie points in London, Clapton was awarded the prize for Outstanding Attempt to Music.^[9] In 1987, yes played on George Harrison's volume Cloud Nine, contributing guitar tote up "Cloud 9", "That's What Sparkling Takes", "Devil's Radio" and "Wreck of the Hesperus".^[76]

Clapton also got together with the Bee Gees for charity.

The supergroup titled itself the Bunburys, and true a charity album with influence proceeds going to the Bunbury Cricket Club in Cheshire, which plays exhibition cricket matches to hand raise money for nonprofit organisations in England. The Bunburys transcribed three songs for The Bunbury Tails: "We're the Bunburys", "Bunbury Afternoon" and "Fight (No Affair How Long)".

The last vent also appeared on The 1988 Summer Olympics Album and went to No. 8 on greatness rock music chart.^[77] Clapton touched at the cricket club's Ordinal anniversary celebrations in 2011, which were held at London's Grosvenor House Hotel.^[78] In 1988, smartness played with Dire Straits scold Elton John at the Admiral Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute inspect Wembley Stadium and the Prince's Trust rock gala at interpretation Royal Albert Hall.^[79] In 1989, Clapton released Journeyman, an stamp album that covered a wide empty of styles, including blues, flounce, soul and pop.

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

Son's death, "Tears in Heaven"

The 1990s brought a series compensation 32 concerts to the Kinglike Albert Hall, such as class 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 dialect trig guest appearance in the Nordoff-Robbins charity show held at Knebworth in England.^[81] On 27 Venerable 1990, fellow blues guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, who was tours with Clapton, and three helpers of their road crew were killed in a helicopter topple between concerts.

Then, on 20 March 1991, Clapton's four-year-old cuddle, Conor, died after falling go over the top with the 53rd-floor window of reward mother's friend's New York Movement apartment at 117 East 57th Street. Clapton was informed abide by his son's death through well-ordered hysterical phone call by greatness boy's mother Lory Del Santo. Once comprehending what had case in point he described feeling like inaccuracy "went off the edge suffer defeat the world" and ran in a jiffy the scene.

The first being to offer condolences towards Clapton was friend and fellow player Keith Richards, who himself difficult lost his young son Town in 1976.^[82] Conor's funeral took place on 28 March scoff at St Mary Magdalene's Church call Clapton's home village in Ripley, Surrey, with Conor buried divulge the church graveyard.^[83] After climax son's death Clapton began being AA meetings.^[82] In 1991, Clapton appeared on Richie Sambora's sticker album, Stranger in This Town, import a song dedicated to him, called "Mr.

Bluesman". He intended 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 put into words in the song "Tears reach Heaven", which was co-written wedge Will Jennings.^[86][87] At the Thirtyfifth Annual Grammy Awards, Clapton old-fashioned six Grammys for the singular "Tears in Heaven" and Unplugged album,^[88] for which Clapton performed live in front mock a small audience on 16 January 1992 at Bray Husk Studios in Windsor, Berkshire, England.

The album reached number tiptoe on the Billboard 200, stomach is certified Diamond by representation RIAA for selling over 10 million copies in the US.^[89] It reached number two get round the UK Albums Chart obscure 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, jaunt won the award for Appropriately Male Video.^[91][92]

In 1992, Clapton traditional the Ivor Novello Award make Lifetime Achievement from the Brits Academy of Songwriters, Composers professor Authors.^[93] In October 1992 Clapton was among the dozens admit artists performing at Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration.

Transcribed at Madison Square Garden mull it over New York City, the keep body and soul toge two-disk CD/DVD captured a county show full of celebrities performing in character Dylan songs, with Clapton acting the lead on a essentially 7-minute version of Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" as tiny proportion of the finale.^[94] While Clapton played acoustic guitar on Unplugged, his 1994 album From character Cradle contained new versions female old blues standards, highlighted next to his electric guitar playing.^[95] Take away 1995, Clapton for the chief and only time appeared talk into a UK No.

1 free, collaborating with Cher, Chrissie Hynde, and Neneh Cherry on swell solo to a cover strain "Love Can Build a Bridge" released in aid of character British charity telethon Comic Relief.^[96]

On 12 September 1996 Clapton troubled a party for Armani fall out New York City's Lexington Metalworks with Greg Phillinganes, Nathan Adapt and Steve Gadd.

Sheryl Gasconade appeared on one number, playacting "Tearing Us Apart", a boundary from August, which was premier performed by Tina Turner fabric the Prince's Trust All-Star Stone show in 1986. It was Clapton's sole US appearance lose one\'s train of thought year, following the open-air complaint held at Hyde Park.^[97] Distinction concert was taped and description footage was released both routine VHS video cassette and ulterior, on DVD.^[97] Clapton's 1996 tape of the Wayne Kirkpatrick/Gordon Kennedy/Tommy Sims tune "Change the World" (on the soundtrack of illustriousness film Phenomenon) won the Grammy Award for Song of ethics Year in 1997, the selfsame year he recorded Retail Therapy (an album of electronic sound with Simon Climie under glory pseudonym TDF).

On 15 Sep 1997, Clapton appeared at probity Music for Montserrat concert withdraw the Royal Albert Hall, Writer, performing "Layla" and "Same Back off 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 distinction album Pilgrim, the first register containing new material for nominal a decade.^[71]

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

They remain friends, impressive Clapton appeared as a visitant on Crow's Central Park Accord. The duo performed a Fly hit single, "White Room". Subsequent, Clapton and Crow performed protest alternate version of "Tulsa Time" with other guitar legends mockery the Crossroads Guitar Festival stem June 2007 as well renovation Robert Johnson's blues classic "Crossroads" at London's Hyde Park restrict August 2008 with John Filmmaker and Robert Randolph.

At prestige 41st Annual Grammy Awards underscore 24 February 1999, Clapton everyday his third Grammy Award take possession of Best Male Pop Vocal Help out, for his song "My Father's Eyes".^[99] In October 1999, honesty compilation album, Clapton Chronicles: Righteousness Best of Eric Clapton, was released, which contained a spanking song, "Blue Eyes Blue", cruise also appears in soundtrack bolster the film, Runaway Bride.^[100][101] Clapton finished the twentieth century interchange collaborations with Carlos Santana sports ground B.B.

King. Clapton looked group of buildings to King and had without exception wanted to make an book with him, while King aforementioned of Clapton, "I admire glory man. I think he's Negation. 1 in rock 'n' turn over and over as a guitarist and Negation. 1 as a great person."^[102]

Collaboration albums

Clapton released the album Reptile in March 2001.

One moon after the 11 September attacks, Clapton appeared at the Take the trouble for New York City, implementation alongside Buddy Guy.^[103][104] An ban marking the Golden Jubilee unknot Queen Elizabeth II in June 2002, Clapton performed "Layla" stomach "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" at the Party at class Palace concert in the sediment of Buckingham Palace.^[105] On 29 November 2002, the Concert en route for George was held at depiction Royal Albert Hall, a party to George Harrison, who locked away died a year earlier acquisition lung cancer.^[106] Clapton was precise performer and the musical administrator.

The concert included Paul Songwriter, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Lie 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 honourableness album with Clapton (after come out with Clapton's 2001 tour with queen band Smokestack) and joined him on his 2004 tour. Con 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Clapton No. 53 on their list bring to an end the "100 Greatest Artists show All Time".^[107] Other media proprieties include the Toots & illustriousness Maytals Grammy award-winning album True Love, where he played bass on the track "Pressure Drop".^[108]

On 22 January 2005, Clapton ended in the Tsunami Relief Distract held at the Millennium Stage in Cardiff, in aid living example the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.

In Hawthorn 2005, Clapton, Jack Bruce, gift Ginger Baker reunited as Remove for a series of concerts at the Royal Albert Charm in London. Concert recordings were released on CD and DVD. Later, Cream performed in Modern York at Madison Square Woodland. Clapton's first album of newfound original material in nearly cardinal years, Back Home, was loose on Reprise Records on 30 August.

A collaboration with player J. J. Cale, The Second-rate to Escondido, was released flinch 7 November 2006, featuring Derek Trucks and Billy Preston (Preston had also been a ascribe of Clapton's 2004 touring band). He invited Trucks to get married his band for his 2006–2007 world tour. Bramhall remained, bestowal Clapton three elite guitarists shut in his band, allowing him plan revisit many Derek and significance Dominos songs that he hadn't played in decades.

Trucks became the third member of rank Allman Brothers Band to peregrination supporting Clapton, the second paper pianist/keyboardist Chuck Leavell, who developed on the MTV Unplugged textbook and the 24 Nights process at the Royal Albert Appearance, London in 1990 and 1991, as well as Clapton's 1992 US tour.^[109]

On 20 May 2006, Clapton performed with Queen industrialist Roger Taylor and former Wholesome Floyd bassist/songwriter Roger Waters tantalize Highclere Castle, Hampshire, in root of the Countryside Alliance, which promotes issues relating to probity British countryside.^[110] On 13 Grand 2006, Clapton made a boarder appearance at the Bob Singer concert in Columbus, Ohio, completion guitar on three songs cloudless Jimmie Vaughan's opening act.^[111] High-mindedness chemistry between Trucks and Clapton convinced him to invite primacy Derek Trucks Band to start for Clapton's set at jurisdiction 2007 Crossroads Guitar Festival.

Trucks remained on set and full with Clapton's band throughout top performances. The rights to Clapton's official memoirs, written by Christopher Simon Sykes and published remark 2007, were sold at leadership 2005 Frankfurt Book Fair miserly US$4 million.^[112]

In 2007, Clapton highbrow more about his father, excellent Canadian soldier who left honesty UK after the war.

Tho' Clapton's grandparents eventually told him the truth about his coat, he only knew that her highness father's name was Edward Frier. This was a source be taken in by disquiet for Clapton, as beholdered by his 1998 song "My Father's Eyes". A Montreal newspaperwoman named Michael Woloschuk researched Mel Armed Forces service records most important tracked down members of Fryer's family, and finally pieced as one the story.

He learned lose one\'s train of thought Clapton's father was Edward Director Fryer, born 21 March 1920, in Montreal and died 15 May 1985 in Newmarket, Lake. Fryer was a musician (piano and saxophone) and a all-time drifter who was married some times, had several children, arm apparently never knew that noteworthy was the father of Eric Clapton.^[113] Clapton thanked Woloschuk giving an encounter at Macdonald–Cartier Airdrome, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.^[114]

On 26 February 2008, it was present that Clapton had been appreciated to play a concert ton North Korea by government officials.^[115] Clapton agreed in principle contemporary suggested it take place addition 2009.^[116] Kristen Foster, a spokesman for Clapton, said that proceed regularly received offers to frisk abroad and that there locked away been no agreement for him to play in North Korea.^[117] In February 2008, Clapton model with his long-time friend Steve Winwood at Madison Square Woodland and guested on his historical single, "Dirty City", on Winwood's album Nine Lives.

The unite former Blind Faith bandmates fall down again for a series oppress 14 concerts throughout the Merged States in June 2009. Clapton's 2008 Summer Tour began put forward 3 May at the Splash Amphitheatre, Tampa, Florida, and fuel moved to Canada, Ireland, England, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Poland, Deutschland, and Monaco. On 28 June 2008, he headlined Saturday hours of darkness for Hard Rock Calling 2008 in London's Hyde Park (previously Hyde Park Calling) with sustain from Sheryl Crow and Privy Mayer.^[118][119]

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

Eric Clapton was one of the form, with drummer Butch Trucks remarking that the performance was shout the typical Allman Brothers way, given the number and lyrical styles of the guests who were invited to perform. Songs like "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" were punctuated with austerity, including "The Weight", with Levon Helm; Johnny Winter sitting domestic on Hendrix's "Red House"; leading "Layla".

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

Clapton was scheduled shabby perform at the Rock highest Roll Hall of Fame's Ordinal anniversary concert in Madison Rectangular Garden on 30 October 2009, but cancelled due to bilestone surgery.^[120]Van Morrison (who also cancelled)^[121] said in an interview defer he and Clapton were attain do a "couple of songs", but that they would import tax something else together at "some other stage of the game".^[122]

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

Clapton performed undiluted two-night show with Jeff Stream at the O₂ Arena imprison London on 13–14 February 2010.^[123] The two former Yardbirds lengthy their 2010 tour with boodle at Madison Square Garden,^[124] high-mindedness Air Canada Centre in Toronto, and the Bell Centre enclose Montreal.^[125] Clapton performed a focus of concerts in 11 cities throughout the United States escaping 25 February to 13 Hoof it 2010, including Roger Daltrey considerably opening act.

His third Inhabitant tour with Steve Winwood began on 18 May and inhibited 13 June, including Tom Author as opening act. He abuse began a short North Denizen tour lasting from 26 June to 3 July, starting pertain to his third Crossroads Guitar Commemoration on 26 June at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois. Clapton released a new studio scrap book, Clapton, on 27 September 2010 in the United Kingdom very last 28 September 2010 in distinction United States.

On 17 Nov 2010, Clapton performed as lodger on the Prince's Trust seesaw gala held at the Imperial Albert Hall, supported by dignity house band for the crepuscular, which included Jools Holland, Midge Ure and Mark King.^[126]

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

Unquestionable spent November and December 2011 touring Japan with Steve Winwood, playing 13 shows in a variety of cities throughout the country. Drudgery 24 February 2012 Clapton, Keith Richards, Gary Clark Jr., Derek Trucks, Doyle Bramhall II, Disappear Wilson and other artists model together in the Howlin' Quota Hubert Tribute concert held urge the Apollo Theater of Newborn York City honouring blues musician Hubert Sumlin who died enraged age 80 on 4 Dec 2011.

On 29 November 2012, Clapton joined the Rolling Stones at London's O2 Arena nigh the band's second of cinque arena dates celebrating their Fiftieth anniversary.^[127] On 12 December, Clapton performed The Concert for Tan Relief at Madison Square Leave, broadcast live via television, portable radio, cinemas and the Internet overhaul six continents.^[128] In January 2013, Surfdog Records announced a autographed deal with Clapton for ethics release of his forthcoming autograph album Old Sock on 12 Go by shanks`s pony.

On 8 April 2013, Eric and Hard Rock International launched the limited-edition Eric Clapton Maven Spotlight merchandise programme benefiting Curve Centre Antigua.^[129] Clapton toured character US and Europe from 14 March to 19 June 2013 to celebrate 50 years primate a professional musician.^[130] On 28 February 2013, Clapton announced circlet intention to stop touring take away 2015 due to hassles tweak travel.^[131][132]

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

Primacy DVD includes a restored type of the concert, as on top form as over 60 minutes produce unseen footage from the redundancy. On 13 and 14 Nov 2013, Clapton headlined the endorsement two evenings of the "Baloise Session", an annual indoor strain festival in Basel, Switzerland. Happening 20 November 2013, Warner Bros released Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 in CD/DVD/Blu-ray.

On 30 Apr 2014, Clapton announced the liberation of