Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton is an English blues and rock guitarist, singer and songwriter whose music runs from Cream and Layla to Unplugged and decades of solo records.
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Latest
Eric’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Overview
- Born
- 30 March 1945 · Ripley, Surrey, England
- Work
- Guitarist, singer and songwriter
- First band
- The Roosters, 1963
- Breakout
- The Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and Cream
- Also known as
- Slowhand
Mini bio
How it started.
Growing up in Ripley, Surrey, Eric asked for a guitar for his thirteenth birthday. He later busked around Richmond and Kingston, joined the Roosters in 1963 and became a Yardbird that October.
Finding his sound.
He left the Yardbirds as their music moved towards pop, then built his blues reputation with John Mayall. In 1966 he formed Cream with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. Disraeli Gears brought Sunshine of Your Love and one of his best-known guitar riffs.
Songs that stayed.
Derek and the Dominos recorded Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs in 1970. His solo work later included Slowhand, with Wonderful Tonight, and the acoustic Unplugged. At the 1993 Grammys, Unplugged and Tears in Heaven helped him win six awards in one night.
Playing with a purpose.
He founded Crossroads Centre Antigua in 1998. His guitar festivals and auctions have helped support the treatment centre. Recent releases revisit Unplugged and Journeyman, while the expanded Road to Escondido celebrates his partnership with J.J. Cale.
Creditschronological, newest first
- 2025Journeyman: Deluxe EditionGuitar and vocals
- 2024MeanwhileSolo artist
- 2000Riding with the KingCo-artist with B.B. King
- 1992UnpluggedGuitar and vocals
- 1977SlowhandSolo artist
- 1970Layla and Other Assorted Love SongsGuitar and vocals, Derek and the Dominos
Awards
- Grammy Award · 2008Best Contemporary Blues Album for The Road to Escondido, with J.J. Cale.
- Grammy Award · 2001Best Traditional Blues Album for Riding with the King, with B.B. King.
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame · 2000Inducted as a solo performer. He is also inducted with the Yardbirds and Cream.
- Grammy Awards · 1993Six wins in one night, including Album of the Year for Unplugged and Record of the Year for Tears in Heaven.
Quotes
I like to think I’m a craftsman. I think I’m always working on mastering my craft.Eric Clapton, Surfdog Records’ Journeyman: Deluxe Edition page
Clapton explains why the idea of being a journeyman matters to him.
Trivia
- Before music became his full-time job, he worked on building sites alongside his grandfather.
- Blackie was assembled from parts of three vintage Fender Stratocasters bought in Nashville.
- His first recorded guest session was for blues pianist Otis Spann in May 1964.
Find Eric
Follow his official channels for music, concert news and archive performances.
Are you Eric Clapton?
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