Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton was born in Ripley in Surrey on 30th March 1945. He was the illegitimate son of Patricia Molly Clapton and Edward Fryer, a Canadian soldier stationed in England. After W.W.II Fryer returned to his wife in Canada, Patricia left Eric in the custody of his grandparents, Rose and Jack Clapp. (The surname Clapton is from Rose's first husband, Reginald Cecil Clapton.) Patricia moved to Germany where she eventually married another Canadian soldier, Frank McDonald.
On his 14th birthday he received a guitar which he taught himself to play, and at the age of 17 he joined his first band, the Roosters.
In 1963 after he was chucked out of art college he joined the Yardbirds 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 culture scene with his amazing guitar playing. After about a year Eric had had enough of impersonating his blues artists and decided to form a group of his own. So in 1966 he formed a band known "Cream" with bassist Jack Bruce & drummer Ginger Baker. Cream was also one of the earliest "power trios", with Jack Bruce (also of Bluesbreakers and Manfred Mann) and Ginger Baker.
The band this time was not a purest blues group but a hard rock and blues trio. The band first performed together at a jazz 'n 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 big top ten hit going to UK#6 and went on to make US#39 later in the year. In early 1967 Clapton's status as Britain's top guitarist was shaken by the arrival of Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix's early club performances were avidly attended by top UK stars including Clapton, Pete Townshend and The Beatles.
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 Cream as a mainstream success was "Strange Brew" which went to number 17 in the UK. After hectic touring worldwide their second album "Disreali Gears" was an enormous worldwide hit hitting UK#5 and US#4. With the album's success it managed to make "Sunshine Of Your Love" a hit in America going to number 36.
The valedictory Goodbye album featured live performances from Cream's farewell performance at the Royal Albert Hall; it was released shortly after Cream disbanded in 1968, and also featured the studio single "Badge", co-written by Clapton and his friend, Beatle George Harrison. "Badge" served as the basis for Harrison's later Beatles composition, "Here Comes the Sun".
August 1968 released "Wheels Of Fire", a double album that was making the live album go to UK#3 and the studio effort of UK#7 but both going 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 Cream decided that after a farewell tour of America the band would split up. So then it happened that the band toured North America in October.
Clapton and Harrison's friendship resulted in Clapton playing on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" from the Beatles' White Album. Their friendship was later sorely tested when Clapton fell in love with Harrison's wife, model Pattie Boyd-Harrison, and she eventually left him for Clapton. Clapton's love for Pattie — who had turned him down at first — was his inspiration for the classic song and LP, "Layla". When Clapton got married to Pattie, he wrote another famous song, "Wonderful Tonight".
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 Rick Grech added to the line-up the band became Blind Faith and started rehearsing and recording material. In June after the band finished recording session for their first and only album they made their live debut in Hyde Park to a crowd of over 200,000 fans.
Clapton withdrew from the spotlight in the early seventies, wallowing in his addiction and then struggling to conquer it. Following the advice of the Who's Pete Townsend, he underwent a controversial but effective electro-acupuncture treatment and was fully rehabilitated. He rebounded creatively with a role in the film version of Townsend's rock opera, Tommy, and with a string of albums, including the reggae-influenced 461 Ocean Boulevard, which yielded a chart-topping single cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff." Some critics and fans were disappointed by Clapton's post-rehab efforts, feeling that he had abandoned his former guitar-heavy approach in favor of a more laid-back and vocal-conscious one.
Just One Night, Clapton's galvanizing 1980 live album, reminded devotees just exactly who their guitar hero was, but unfortunately, this period marked Clapton's critical slide into a serious drinking problem that eventually hospitalized him for a time in 1981. He experienced a creative resurgence after reining in his alcoholism, releasing a string of consistently successful albums--Another Ticket (1981), Money and Cigarettes (1983), Behind the Sun (1985), August (1986), Journeyman (1989)--and turning his personal life around. Though some say Clapton never regained the musical heights of his heroin days, his legend nevertheless continued to grow. That he was a paragon of rock became more than apparent when Polygram released a rich four-CD retrospective of his career, Crossroads, in 1988; the set scored Grammy awards for Best Historical Album and Best Liner Notes.
The early 1990s saw tragedy enter Clapton's life again on two occasions. On August 27, 1990 guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, who was touring with Clapton, and two members of their road crew were killed in a helicopter crash between concerts. Clapton was originally supposed to be a passenger on the helicopter but gave his seat to Vaughan. Then, on March 20 1991, Clapton's four-year-old son Conor (with Italian model Lori Del Santo) died following an accidental fall from an apartment window. A fraction of Clapton's grief was heard on the song "Tears In Heaven" (on the soundtrack to the 1991 movie Rush), co-written with Will Jennings, which, like the MTV Unplugged album that followed it, won a Grammy award.
Like Unplugged, his 1994 album From The Cradle, featured a number of versions of old blues standards, and highlighted his economical acoustic guitar style. In 1997 he recorded Retail Therapy, an album of electronic music under the pseudonym TDF, and he finished the twentieth century with critically-acclaimed collaborations with Carlos Santana and B. B. King. Clapton's 1996 recording of the Wayne Kirkpatrick/ Gordon Kennedy/Tommy Sims tune "Change the World" won a Grammy award for song of the year in 1997.
In 1999 Clapton, then 56, met 25 year old graphic artist Melia McEnery in Los Angeles while working on an album with B.B. King. They married in 2002 at St Mary Magdalen church in Clapton's birthplace, Ripley, and they have three daughters, Julia Rose (2001), Ella May (2003), and a third, born in 2005.
Eric Clapton Trivia / Timeline:
Played guitar along with original '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.
Cream's hits were "Wrapping Paper", "I Feel Free", "Strange Brew", "Sunshine Of Your Love", "Anyone For Tennis", "Crossroads", "White Room" & "Badge".
Has an office in Chelsea.
Dated musician Sheryl Crowe. [1996]
Had a daughter with Yvonne Kelly in 1986 - Made public in 1993.
Son, Conor, (b. 21 August 1986), mother is Lory Del Santo. Clapton was still married to Pattie Boyd at that time.
Had a son, Conor, with Lori Del Santo, who died in a fall from a 53rd floor apartment, March 20, 1991. Clapton's Grammy-winning hit song Tears in Heaven was dedicated to the memory of his son.
According to the August 1998 issue of the British rock magazine "Q", Clapton ranks number 10 on the list of the 100 richest rock stars with an estimated fortune of over £75m.
Was a member of The Yardbirds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Delaney and Bonnie, Derek and the Dominoes.
Both Harrison and Clapton were respectively married to model Patti Boyd. Wrote hit songs "Layla" and "Wonderful Tonight" about Patti Boyd.
Played the guitar solo on Beatle George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" creating a precedent. No other outside musician had ever had such a privilege.
Axes of choice include a Fender Stratocaster and a Gibson Les Paul Standard.
Clapton, tied the knot with McEnery, from Columbus, Ohio, in a low-key ceremony at a church near his home in Surrey, southern England, on New Year's Day, 2002. Guests were told they were attending the christening of the couple's six-month-old daughter Julie Rose. But after the baptism of Julie Rose and Clapton's 16-year-old daughter Ruth, the couple were called forward by vicar the Reverend Christopher Elson and exchanged marriage vows.
Clapton is the only artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times: as a member of The Yardbirds (1992); as a member of Cream (1993); and as a solo performer (2000).
He received the O.B.E. (Officer of the British Empire) in 1995.
Voted the South East's best guitarist in Total Guitar Magazine's poll of the greatest 12 British guitarists. [July 2001]
Wrote the classic song "Layla" about his unrequited love for Patti Boyd-Harrison, who was then married to George Harrison. He eventually married her nine years later.
Stephen Stills asked Clapton to join Crosby, Stills and Nash so that he could help beef up their sound in concert. He refused due to the fact that he was in the middle of forming Blind Faith with Steve Winwood.
He was awarded the C.B.E. (Commander of the British Empire) in the 2003 Queen's New Year's Eve Honours List for his services to music.
Clapton was also on the short list of guitarists to replace Brian Jones in the Rolling Stones.
Played with John Lennon and Yoko Ono's Plastic Ono Band at the Toronto Pop Festival in 1969. Other members included Klaus Voorman on bass and Alan White (later of Yes) on drums.
Eric Clapton is credited on the Dire Straits' Brothers in Arms album due to the fact that he loaned Mark Knopfler one of his guitars for the album.
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.
Gave up his seat on a helicopter bound to Chicago to Stevie Ray Vaughan. The Helicopter crashed soon after take off and Vaughan, along with Clapton's manager, was killed.
Quotations by Eric Clapton:
"I am, and always will be, a blues guitarist."
"Given the choice between accomplishing something and just lying around, I'd rather lie around. No contest."
Eric Clapton Discography:
1970 Eric Clapton #17 UK, #13 US
1970 Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (as Derek and the Dominoes) #16 US
1972 The History of Eric Clapton (compilation) #20 UK, #6 US, US Sales: 500,000
1972 Eric Clapton at His Best (compilation) #87 US
1973 Clapton (compilation) #67 US
1973 Live at the Fillmore (as Derek and the Dominoes) (Live 1970) #36 UK, #20 US
1973 Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert (Live 1972) #18 US
1974 461 Ocean Boulevard #3 UK, #1 US, US Sales: 500,000 1975 There's One in Every Crowd #15 UK, #21 US
1975 E.C. Was Here (Live 1975) #14 UK, #20 US
1976 No Reason to Cry #8 UK, #15 US
1977 Slowhand #23 UK, #2 US, US Sales: 3,000,000
1978 Backless #18 UK, #8 US, US Sales: 1,000,000
1980 Just One Night (Live 1979, Double Disc Set) #3 UK, #2 US, US Sales: 500,000
1981 Another Ticket #18 UK, #7 US, US Sales: 500,000
1982 Time Pieces: Best Of Eric Clapton (1970-1978) #20 UK, #101 US, US Sales: 7,000,000
1983 Money and Cigarettes #13 UK, #16 US
1984 Too Much Monkey Business
1984 Backtrackin' #29 UK
1985 Behind the Sun #8 UK, #34 US, US Sales: 1,000,000
1986 August #3 UK, #37 US, US Sales: 500,000
1987 The Cream of Eric Clapton #3 UK
1988 Crossroads (Box Set) #34 US, US Sales: 2,000,000
1989 Homeboy 1989 Journeyman #2 UK, #16 US, US Sales: 2,000,000
1990 The Layla Sessions (as Derek and the Dominoes) (20th Anniversary Edition, Box Set)
1991 24 Nights (Live 1990) #17 UK, #38 US, US Sales: 500,000 1992 Rush #24 US, US Sales: 500,000
1992 Unplugged (Live 1992) #2 UK, #1 US, US Sales: 10,000,000
1994 From the Cradle #1 UK, #1 US, US Sales: 3,000,000
1995 The Cream of Clapton #80 US, US Sales: 1,000,000
1996 Crossroads 2: Live in the Seventies (Live from 1974 to 1978, Quadruple CD Set) #137 US
1998 Pilgrim #6 UK, #4 US, US Sales: 1,000,000
1999 The Blues (Double Disc Set) #52 US, US Sales: 500,000 1999 Clapton Chronicles: The Best of Eric Clapton #6 UK, #20 US, US Sales: 1,000,000
2000 Riding With the King (with B.B. King) #15 UK, #3 US, US Sales: 2,000,000
2001 Reptile #7 UK, #5 US, US Sales: 500,000
2002 One More Car, One More Rider (Live 2001) #43 US
2004 Me and Mr. Johnson (an album of Robert Johnson covers) #10 UK, #6 US
2004 Sessions for Robert J. (official CD/DVD of tour auditions)
2005 Back Home (due to be released August 29th)
Eric Clapton Singles:
from On Tour with Eric Clapton (Delaney & Bonnie & Friends album)
1969 Comin' Home (Delaney & Bonnie & Friends feat. Eric Clapton) #16 UK
from Eric Clapton
1970 After Midnight #18 US
from The History of Eric Clapton
1972 Layla (Derek & The Dominoes) #7 UK, #10 US
from 461 Ocean Boulevard
1974 I Shot the Sheriff #9 UK, #1 US
1974 Willie and The Hand Jive #26 US
from There's One in Every Crowd
1975 Swing Low, Sweet Chariot #19 UK
non-album single
1975 Knockin' on Heaven's Door #38 UK
from No Reason to Cry
1976 Hello Old Friend #24 US
from Slowhand
1977 Lay Down Sally #39 UK, #3 US (1978 release)
1978 Wonderful Tonight #16 US
from Backless
1978 Promises #37 UK, #9 US
1979 Watch Out for Lucy #40 US
from Just One Night
1980 Tulsa Time #30 US
1980 Cocaine #30 US
from Another Ticket
1981 I Can't Stand It #10 US
from Time Pieces: The Best of Eric Clapton
1982 Layla (re-issue) (Derek & The Dominoes) #4 UK
from Money and Cigarettes
1983 I've Got a Rock N' Roll Heart #18 US
from Behind the Sun
1985 Forever Man #26 US
from August
1987 Behind the Mask #15 UK
from Journeyman
1990 Bad Love #25 UK
from 24 Nights
1991 Wonderful Tonight (live) #30 UK
from Unplugged
1992 Layla #12 US
from Rush soundtrack
1992 Tears in Heaven #5 UK, #2 US
from One (Elton John album)
1992 Runaway Train (with Elton John) #31 UK
from Ten Summoner's Tales (Sting album)
1992 It's Probably Me (with Sting) #30 UK
non-album charity single
1995 Love Can Build a Bridge (with Cher, Chrissie Hynde & Neneh Cherry) #1 UK
from Phenomenon soundtrack
1996 Change the World #16 UK, #5 US
from Pilgrim
1998 My Father's Eyes #33 UK
1998 Circus #39 UK
non-album single
2000 Forever Man (How Many Times) (Beatchuggers feat. Eric Clapton) #26 UK
Eric Clapton Filmography:
As Composer:
The School of Rock (2003) (song "Sunshine of Your Love")
... aka School of Rock (Germany) (USA: promotional title)
Anger Management (2003) (song "Strange Brew")
Eric Clapton: One More Car, One More Rider - Live on Tour 2001 (2002) (V) (songs "Reptile", "Tears in Heaven", "Bell Bottom Blues", "My Father's Eyes", "River of Tears", "She's Gone", "Badge", "Wonderful Tonight", "Layla" and "Sunshine of Your Love")
Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace (2002) (TV) (song "Layla")
Blow (2001) (song "Strange Brew")
MTV Unplugged: Ballads (2000) (V) (song "Old Love")
Eric Clapton & Friends in Concert: A Benefit for the Crossroads Centre at Antigua (1999) (TV) (songs "River of Tears", "Tears in Heaven", "Old Love", "Wonderful Tonight", "Layla" and "Sunshine of Your Love")
The Story of Us (1999)
The Accountant (1999)
Clapton Chronicles: The Best of Eric Clapton (1999) (V)
Patch Adams (1998) (songs "Let It Rain" and "Bell Bottom Blues")
"Cap des Pins" (1998) TV Series (main titles) ... aka The Tide of Life (USA)
Lethal Weapon 4 (1998) ... aka Lethal 4 (USA: promotional abbreviation)
Nil by Mouth (1997) ... aka Ne pas avaler (France)
Eric Clapton: Live in Hyde Park (1997) (TV) (songs)
The Van (1996)
"Smap x Smap" (1996) TV Series (song "Tomodachi e - Say What You Will") (2005)
Heat (1995) (song "Will Gaines")
"Celeste, siempre Celeste" (1993) TV Series (from "Lethal Weapon 3") (uncredited)
Peter's Friends (1992) (song "Give Me Strength")
Lethal Weapon 3 (1992)
Eric Clapton: Unplugged (1992) (TV) (songs "Signe", "Tears in Heaven", "Lonely Stranger", "Layla" and "Old Love")
Rush (1991)
Cream: Strange Brew (1991) (V) (songs)
Eric Clapton: 24 Nights (1991) (TV) (songs "Badge", "Sunshine of Your Love", "Bad Love", "Old Love", "Wonderful Tonight", "Bell Bottom Blues" and "Edge of Darkness")
Goodfellas (1990) (song "Sunshine of Your Love", "Layla")
The Cream of Eric Clapton (1990) (V) (songs "Sunshine of Your Love", "Strange Brew", "Badge", "Layla", "Wonderful Tonight", "Tearing Us Apart" and "Holy Mother")
Communion (1989) (main theme)
Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) Homeboy (1988)
The Hustler of Money (1988) (TV)
Lethal Weapon (1987)
The Color of Money (1986) (song "It's In The Way You Use It")
Eric Clapton and Friends (1986) (TV) (songs "Miss You", "Tearing Us Apart", "Holy Mother", "Sunshine of Your Love" and "Layla")
"Edge of Darkness" (1985) TV Series
The Hit (1984) (title music)
Good and Bad at Games (1983) (TV)
Uncommon Valor (1983/I) (song "Sunshine of Your Love")
James Dean: The First American Teenager (1975) (TV) (song "Layla") (uncredited)
Mean Streets (1973)
Slipstream (1973) ... aka Une voix dans la nuit (Canada: French title)
Pacific Vibrations (1970) (as Cream)
Cream's Farewell Concert (1969) (songs)
The Savage Seven (1968) (song "Anyone For Tennis?")
As Actor:
Comic Relief: Red Nose Night Live 05 (2005) (TV) .... Performer
Blues Brothers 2000 (1998) .... Louisiana Gator Boys
Tommy (1975) .... The Preacher ... aka The Who's Tommy ... aka Tommy by 'The Who' (USA: complete title) ... aka Tommy: The Movie (USA: promotional title)
Det var en lørdag aften (1968) (as Cream)