Eric Clapton, the #87 Artist of the Rock Era, Part One

"Amazing musician."

"Eric Clapton is timeless & the epitome of coolness that never fades or goes out of style."

"What an incredible artist."

"Clapton's music touches my body and soul."

"A real gem."

"The most soulful bluesman of the 21st century!"

"Clapton is so versatile--he can do any kind of music."

"A definitive musican."

"Eric Clapton has got me thru good times and bad times,no matter what."

"One of the most enduring stars."


The accomplishments of this next artist are many.  When you add his legendary guitar work and membership in the Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith and Derek & the Dominos as well as his solo work, Eric Clapton is one of the primary contributors of the Rock Era.  It is his solo career that is ranked here.

Eric was born March 30, 1945 in Ripley, Surrey, England to 16-year-old Patricia Clapton and 25-year-old Edward Fryer, a Canadian soldier.  Fryer served in World War II prior to Eric's birth before returning to Canada.  Eric grew up with his grandmother, Rose and her husband Jack Clapp.  

Eric received an acoustic guitar for his 13th birthday but he found it difficult to play.  Two years later, however, Clapton picked it up again and began playing consistently.  After graduating from Hollyfield School in Surbiton, he stained glass design at Kingston College of Art for one year but was dismissed because Eric was focused more on music than art.  
Clapton began busking around the West End of London and other nearby cities and joined David Brock as a duo in 1962, performing in pubs around Surrey.  When he was 17, Clapton joined the Roosters, which also included future Manfred Mann member Tom McGuinness.

Clapton was a member of the Yardbirds for two years before branching off to play with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. 
Clapton them formed the group Cream (above right) with bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker.  They proved to be short-lived, as did Clapton's next group Blind Faith.  

 Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett co-wrote most of the songs on Clapton's first solo album.  Although the single "After Midnight" reached #10 in Canada, it stalled at #18 in the U.S., qualifying it to be one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*.

 Another track which received significant airplay is "Let It Rain".

Clapton, who had played guitar for the Beatles on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", helped George Harrison out on his solo album All Things Must Pass.  Eric also recorded with John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band, Ringo Starr, Billy Preston, Stephen Stills, Leon Russell, Dave Mason and Dr. John during this time.

Clapton then formed the group Derek and the Dominos to try to prove that he could function as part of a group.  But once again, it didn't last long.  Clapton's friendship with Harrison led him to pursue Harrison's wife, Pattie Boyd, romantically.  Not only did he betray Harrison's trust, Clapton then publicly humiliated him by writing "Layla" about the experience.  Some friend, huh?

The album Layla included help from another elite guitarist, Duane Allman.  But while planning a second album, there was a clash of egos and Clapton walked out on the group.

Troubled by problems that were his own doing, Clapton became addicted to heroin and passed out on stage while performing at the Concert for Bangladesh.  In 1972, Clapton released the compilation album History of Eric Clapton, which peaked at #6 in the United States.  

The following year, Eric began electro-acupuncture treatment for his addiction.

In 1974, Eric began living with Pattie Boyd, whom he married in 1979.  Pattie wised up in 1988 after Clapton first had an affair with Yvonne Kelly that resulted in the birth of daughter Ruth in 1985 and then had another affair with an Italian model that resulted in the birth of son Conor in 1989. 

In 1974, Clapton recorded his second solo album, 461 Ocean Boulevard.  His remake of the Bob Marley song "I Shot The Sheriff" went to #1 in the United States, Canada and New Zealand, #5 in the Netherlands, #7 in Japan and Belgium and #9 in the U.K. and was certified Gold in the U.S.

 Clapton toured the U.S., Europe and Australia in support of the album.  Eric starred in the movie Tommy in 1975.  The following year, Clapton performed in the final performance of The Band, filmed and released as the documentary The Last Waltz.  Clapton has a Top Track* with "Let It Grow".

 Clapton released There's One in Every Crowd in 1975 and No Reason To Cry in 1976 but neither has yet to sell at least one million copies worldwide.  Clapton did record the Top Track* "Sign Language" from the latter.  

On August 5, 1976, a visibly drunk Clapton announced during a concert in Birmingham, England, that Great Britain was in danger of becoming a "black colony".  Clapton shouted, the racist remark "Keep Britain white!"

 

In 1977, Clapton released the finest studio album of his career, Slowhand.  "Lay Down Sally" peaked at #3 in the U.S. and Canada and #5 in Japan, but did not come close to the Top 10 anywhere else in the world.  It became Eric's second Gold single.

 

The follow-up, "Wonderful Tonight", stalled at #16 in the U.S.  As proof that it is one of The Top Unknown/Underrated Songs of the Rock Era*, it went on to sell over one million copies and reached #1 in Japan, #2 in the Netherlands, #3 in France and #5 in Belgium.

 Another track on the album for which Clapton is famous for is "Cocaine".

 

The following year, Eric released the album Backless, which contained "Promises", #7 in Canada and #9 in the United States.

 Clapton toured the world in support of the album.  In 1980, Eric released the live album Just One Night, which was recorded in 1979 at the Budokan Theatre in Tokyo, Japan.  The album went Gold and features this live performance of "Cocaine".

 
In 1981, Clapton released the album Another Ticket, which yielded the #10 song "I Can't Stand It".  But he had to cancel a 60-date tour of the United States after he went into the hospital with bleeding ulcers.  The next month, Clapton was involved in an auto accident and was hospitalized for that as well.

Join us for Part Two of Eric Clapton's story, exclusively on Inside The Rock Era!