Eric Clapton

At 79 years old, Eric Clapton has this physical status:

Eric Patrick Clapton, (born 30 March 1945), is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter.

He is the only three-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist and then as a member of the Yardbirds and of Cream.

Clapton has been dubbed one of the most influential and influential guitarists of all time.

In "Top 50 Guitarists of All Time," Clapton ranked second in Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and fourth in Gibson's "Top 50 Guitarists of All Time."

In 2009, Clapton left the Yardbirds to compete with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, earning him to number five in Time magazine's list of "Top Electric Guitar Players."

Clapton formed the power trio Cream with drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce, who performed Clapton's "art, blues-based psychedelic pop" immediately after leaving Mayall, Clapton.

After Cream broke up, Ric Grech and Baker formed Blind Faith, a blues rock band.

Clapton's solo career began in the 1970s, where his work influenced J. J. Cale's mellow style and Bob Marley's reggae.

His interpretation of "I Shot the Sheriff" by Marley helped reggae reach a mass audience.

"Layla," a pair of Derek and the Dominos; and Robert Johnson's "Crossroads," which was released with Cream, were two of his most well-known recordings.

Clapton's mourning expressed itself in the song "Today in Heaven," which appeared on his Unplugged album, following his son Conor's death in 1991. Clapton has been named in 18 Grammy Awards, as well as the British Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

He received a CBE at Buckingham Palace in 2004 for his contributions to music.

He has been given four Ivor Novello Awards from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors, as well as the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Clapton has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide, making him one of the top-selling musicians of all time.

Clapton, a recovering alcoholic and heroin user, founded the Crossroads Centre on Antigua in 1998, a medical facility for recovering drug addicts.

Early life

Clapton was born in Ripley, Surrey, England, on March 30, 1945, to Patricia Molly Clapton, 16, (January 1929 – March 1985), a 25-year-old soldier from Montreal, Quebec. Before Clapton's birth, Fryer was sent to war and then returned to Canada. Clapton grew up thinking that his grandmother, Rose, and Patricia's stepfather, Jack Clapp, were his parents, and that his mother, Maria, was his older sister. The similarity in surnames led to the incorrect assumption that Clapton's real surname is Clapp (Reginald Cecil Clapton was Rose's first husband, Eric Clapton's maternal grandfather). His mother married another Canadian soldier and moved to Germany, leaving Eric with his grandparents in Surrey.

Clapton was given an acoustic Hoyer guitar, made in Germany, for his thirteenth birthday, but the cheap steel-stringed instrument was impossible to play, and he briefly lost interest. He picked it up again and started playing regularly two years later. Clapton was influenced by blues music from an early age, and he spent long hours to discover the key of blues music by listening to the songs. He kept his practice sessions using his portable Grundig reel-to-reel tape recorder, listening to them over and over until satisfied.

Clapton studied at the Kingston College of Art in 1961, but was dismissed at the end of the academic year because his interest remained on music rather than art. His guitar playing was so advanced that by the age of 16, he was getting noticed. He started busking around Kingston, Richmond, and the West End around this time. Clapton formed a duo with fellow blues enthusiast Dave Brock in 1962 in pubs around Surrey. Clapton formed his first band, the Roosters, early British R&B band, whose other guitarist was Tom McGuinness, when he was 17 years old. He remained with the band from January to August 1963. Clapton spent seven years with Casey Jones & the Engineers in October.

Personal life

Alice Ormsby-Gore, a British aristocrat, was Clapton's partner from the late 1960s to 1974; they were often mistakenly reported as engaged. Betty Davis, a funk singer, appeared for a brief period of time. He married Pattie Boyd in Tucson, Arizona, on March 27, 1979, but their union was marred by their infidelities and domestic violence. Clapton confessed to raping and insulting her when they were married, and he was a "full" alcoholic in a 1999 interview with The Sunday Times. Clapton formed an acquaintance with Yvonne Kelly, the boss of AIR Studios Montserrat, in 1984 when recording Behind the Sun. Despite the fact that they were married to other people at the time, they still have a daughter who was born in 1985. Ruth Kelly Clapton was born in 1991, but she was never known until the media revealed she was his child in 1991.

Clapton and Boyd tried unsuccessfully to have children, even trying to induce vitro fertilisation in 1984, but they were met with miscarriages. He had an affair with Italian model Lory Del Santo, who gave birth to Conor's son on August 21, 1986. Clapton and Boyd separated in 1989 after she was "completely distraught" by his admission to impregnating Del Santo during this case. Conor died on the 53rd floor of a Manhattan apartment building on March 20, 1991 at the age of four after falling out of an open bedroom window.

Clapton, 53, was introduced to Melia McEnery, a 22-year-old administrative assistant, in Columbus, Ohio, at a party held for him after a performance. He silently dated her for a year before going public with the affair in 1999. They married in Clapton's birthplace, Ripley, on January 1, 2002 at St Mary Magdalene Church. Julie Rose (born 13 June 2001), Ella May (born 14 January 2003), and Sophie Belle (born 1 February 2005).

He addressed the audience as follows:

At the time, "Keep Britain White" was a slogan of the far-right National Front (NF). The punks were the catalysts for the creation of Rock Against Racism, which also included some controversial remarks made around the same time by David Bowie, as well as the use of Nazi-related imagery by punk artists Sid Vicious and Siouxsie Sioux.

Clapton said in an interview with Sounds magazine in October 1976 that he did not "know much about politics" and that of his immigrant speech, he said, "I just don't know what happened to me that night." It may have been something that happened in the day, but it didn't come out in this shabby outfit." Clapton referred to Enoch Powell as "outrageously brave" in an interview with Uncut in 2004. "Inviting people in as cheap labour and then throwing them into ghettos," he said. "There's no way I could be a racist," Clapton said in an interviewer for Scotland on Sunday. It would make no sense" if it did not make sense. Clapton wrote an autobiography in 2007 that he was "deliberately ignorant" to racial conflict. Clapton said he was not a bigote, but that Powell's remarks were still relevant in an interview with Melvyn Bragg on The South Bank Show in December 2007.

Clapton said he was "disappointed" with himself after seeing unedited footage of the 1976 outburst, which is also included in Eric Clapton's Life in 12 Bars, which also includes his regular alcohol and heroin use before his sobriety. "I sabotaged everything I was involved with," he said. I was so ashamed of who I was, a kind of semi-racist, which didn't make sense. Half of my acquaintances were black, I dated a black woman, and I was a fan of black music."

Clapton supports the Countryside Alliance, which promotes field sports and issues relating to the British countryside. With the 2004 Hunting Act, he has appeared in concerts to raise funds for the corporation and publicly condemned Labour Party's ban on fox hunting. "Eric supports the Countryside Alliance," a Clapton spokesperson said. He does not hunt himself, but he does enjoy rural pursuits such as fishing and shooting. He supports the Alliance's attempt to remove the ban on the grounds that he disagrees with the state's interference with people's personal interests."

Clapton and Van Morrison collaborated on "Stand and Deliver," an anti-mask, anti-lockdown single, the proceeds of which were donated to Morrison's "Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund" in November 2020. Morrison's stand was described as "a smear on all those affected by the public health response" and "giving the conspiracy theorists a great deal of global conspiracy," according to Northern Ireland Health Minister Robin Swann, who advocated against masking and vaccinations and arguing that this is all a worldwide conspiracy to remove freedoms. Clapton said in reaction to Boris Johnson's request for tickets, he would "not appear on any stage where there is a discriminated audience present." Clapton had taken both doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine by then, but he said he had serious reactions to both injections.

The construction "stand and deliver" means "to give what is asked" and was first used by highwaymen robbing passengers. "You let them put the fear in them," the song concludes with the explanation that the notorious highway robber "Dick Turpin wore a mask as well as the couplet "You let them put the fear in them." "Many of us support Van and his attempts to save live music," Clapton said. He is a source of inspiration. We must stand up and be counted because we must find a way out of this mess.

Clapton's single "This Has Gotta Stop" and a accompanying music video were released in August 2021 as a protest against COVID-19 lockdowns, vaccinations, and statements against Clapton's political deterioration as a result of lockdown policies. Environmental issues, societal obsession with technology, and media consumption are also addressed on the track. Robert Cray, a long-time friend and musician who often opened for Clapton's tours, told him "that he couldn't open for him as planned on a forthcoming tour."

Clapton was positive for COVID-19 in May 2022, just after appearing at the Royal Albert Hall in London. He cancelled several concerts on his tour to support his recuperation, based on medical advice.

Surrey Life Magazine ranked Clapton as the 17th in their list of top Surrey residents in 2009, estimating his fortune at £120 million. This was a mixture of wealth, property, Vains, a £9 million yacht (previously owned by Bernie Ecclestone), his back music collection, his touring income, and his holding company Marshbrook Ltd, which had earned him £110 million since 1989. Cordings Piccadilly, a gentleman's outfitters' founder, bought a 55% stake in 2003. Owner Noll Uloth was trying to save the shop from closing and has been reported to have contacted Clapton, his "best client," within five minutes; Clapton replied, "I can't let this happen."

Clapton has been a "car enthusiast" since the 1970s, and has often expressed his admiration for the Ferrari brand. Clapton now owns or has owned a number of Ferraris, and when asked about his Ferrari collection in 1989, he said he liked the touring cars the company makes for road use and added "if I had more space and if I had been smart," the company's founder said, "I would have a massive collection by now and I would be a multi-millionaire." He said in 2010 that "Ferrari has always been the best car" to own and drive, and that he has always supported Ferrari, both on the road and in Formula One motor racing.

Ferrari honoured Clapton in 2012 with the Ferrari SP12 EC, a one-off special project vehicle. In July 2013, Clapton displayed it at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England as part of the Michelin Supercar Run. Clapton said in 2014 that Ferrari is still his favorite car brand. A vintage Mini Cooper Radford that was a gift from George Harrison is one of Clapton's other cars.

Clapton was appointed director of Clouds House, a UK treatment center for heroin and alcohol abuse, in 1993, and served on the board until 1997. Clapton served on the board of directors of The Chemical Dependency Centre from 1994 to 1999. Both charities then joined Action on Addiction in 2007.

He founded the Crossroads Centre in Antigua in 1998 to assist others in overcoming their heroin and alcohol use, and he continues to participate in its operation and fundraising until today. To raise funds for this center, Clapton has produced the Crossroads Guitar Festival in 1999, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2019. Clapton auctioned off portions of his guitar collection in 1999 to raise more than US$5 million for continued assistance of the Crossroads Centre. On June 24, 2004, Clapton's collection, as well as guitars donated by famous friends, was auctioned again. His Lowden acoustic guitar went for $41,825. This auction at Christie's brought in US$7,438,624. At a New York auction in 2011, he auctioned off over 150 items, with proceeds going to his Crossroads Centre. His guitar from the Cream reunion tour in 2005, speaker cabinets from Derek and the Dominos in the early 1970s, and some guitars from Jeff Beck, J. Cale, and Joe Bonamassa were among his items on sale. He sold 138 lots, made up of 75 guitars, and 55 amps from his personal collection, including a 1984 Gibson hollow body guitar, a Gianni Versace suit from his 1990 concert at the Royal Albert Hall, and a "Blackie" version that sold for more than $1.3 million. All proceeds went to Crossroads.

Clapton has appeared at the Secret Policeman's Ball, a benefit performance co-founded by Monty Python actor John Cleese on behalf of Amnesty International. He appeared at the 1981 show in Drury Lane, London, and later became an activist. Clapton has worked with The Prince's Trust, the country's top youth charity, which provides training, personal growth, company start-up assistance, mentoring, and assistance. Since the 1980s, he has appeared at the charity's rock concert several times, most recently in 2010. In 2008, he performed a song on Aid Still Required's CD to help with the recovery of Southeast Asia's devastation from the 2004 tsunami.

Clapton is a fan of West Bromwich Albion, an English football team. He appeared in 1982 at a concert before West Brom player John Wile's testimonial game at The Hawthorns. Around this time, the club turned down his bid to invest money in the club. Clapton's Backless album, in the late 1970s, featured a West Brom scarf. Clapton sponsored West Brom's UEFA Cup home game against Turkish club Galatasaray in 1978-79.

Source

Career

Clapton joined the Yardbirds, a blues-influenced rock and roll band, in October 1963, and remained with them until March 1965. Influences from Chicago blues and top blues guitarists such as Buddy Guy, Freddie King, and B.B. King, Clapton developed a distinct style and became one of the most talked-about guitarists in the British music scene, making him one of the most popular guitarists in the UK. When the Rolling Stones took over the Rolling Stones' residency at the Richmond, London, they first performed Chess/Checker/Jay blues and started to attract a large fanbase. They toured England with American bluesman Sonny Boy Williamson II; a joint LP album that was released in 1965 was released in 1966.

Chris Dreja, the Yardbirds' rhythm guitarist, recalled that if Clapton broke a guitar string during a show, he would remain on stage and replace it. The English audiences will enjoy the delay by performing what is described as a "slow handclap." Clapton's nickname, "slowhand," came from Giorgio Gomelsky, a play on the slowed handclapping that followed when Clapton stopped playing while changing a string. Clapton appeared with the Yardbirds on December 1964 for his first appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Clapton has appeared at the Hall more than 200 times since its inception, and has said that attending the Hall is like "playing in my front room."

Clapton and the Yardbirds had their first big hit in March 1965, "For Your Love," written by songwriter Graham Gouldman, who also wrote hit songs for Herman's Hermits and the Hollies (and later became a member of 10cc). The Yardbirds opted for a pop-orientated sound in part, much to Clapton's annoyance, who was devoted to the blues and not commercial success. On the day "For Your Love" went public, he left the Yardbirds without a lead guitarist and the band's most versatile member. Jimmy Page, Clapton's replacement, was considered by the Clapton family, but Page refused to place Jeff Beck in his place. Beck and Page were together in the Yardbirds for a while, but Beck, Page, and Clapton were never in the group together. They first appeared together in 1983 on the 12-date benefit tour for Action for Research into multiple sclerosis, with the first date being held at the Royal Albert Hall on September 23.

Clapton joined John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers in April 1965, only to have to leave a few months later. Clapton was invited to jam with Jimmy Page in June, performing a number of songs that were retroactively credited to The Immediate All-Stars. He and his old friend Ben Palmer on piano left for Greece in the summer of 1965. On the 17th of October 1965, Clapton performed with the band after a car crash that killed the bassist and injured the guitarist of the Greek band The Juniors. He recovered John Mayall in October 1965. Clapton briefly collaborated on a side project with Jack Bruce and Steve Winwood among others in March 1966, but not under the name Eric Clapton and the Powerhouse. Clapton rose to fame as the best blues guitarist on the club circuit during his second stint with the Bluesbreakers. Despite Clapton's success on the influential album, Blues Breakers – John Mayall – This album was not released until after Clapton left the band for the last time in July 1966. Fans of the album are often referred to as The Beano Album because of the cover photograph which shows Clapton reading the British children's book The Beano.

Clapton's sound and playing inspired the famous phrase "Clapton is God," spray-painted by an unknown admirer on a wall in Islington, North London, 1967. In a now-famous photograph in which a dog is urinating on the wall, the graffito was caught. Clapton is said to have been embarrassed by the slogan, saying in his The South Bank Show profile in 1987, "I never accepted that I was the world's best guitar player." I always wanted to be the best guitar player in the world, but this is an ambition, not an ideal."

Clapton left the Bluesbreakers in July 1966 (replaced by Peter Green) and drummer Ginger Baker was invited by drummer Ginger Baker to perform in his newly formed band Cream, one of the first supergroups, with Jack Bruce on bass (Bruce was a member of the Bluesbreakers, the Graham Bond Organisation, and Manfred Mann). Clapton left the Yardbirds before the group's debut of "For Your Love" in the United States, but he was not well known in the country; he hadn't expected to appear here. Clapton began to develop as a performer, composer, and guitarist during his time with Cream, but Bruce took the majority of the lead vocals and wrote the majority of the song's lyricist Pete Brown's script. Cream's first appearance at the Twisted Wheel Club in Manchester on July 29, 1966, just days after their full debut at the National Jazz and Blues Festival in Windsor. Cream's legendary presence was born with the help of a large blues jamming and extended solos of their live shows.

Clapton had been portrayed as the UK's best guitarist by early 1967, but his debut as Jimi Hendrix, an acid rock-infused guitarist who used wailing feedback and effects pedals to create new sounds for the instrument had left him dissatisfied. On October 1, 1966, Hendrix attended the unveiling of the newly formed Cream at the Central London Polytechnic, where he appeared on a double-timed version of "Killing Floor." Clapton, Pete Townshend, and members of the Rolling Stones and the Beatles all attended Hendrix's early club performances. Hendrix's arrival had a dramatic and dramatic effect on Clapton's next phase of his career.

Clapton first visited the United States when touring with Cream. Cream held a nine-show stand at the RKO Theater in New York in March 1967. According to Clapton, Clapton's 1964 painted Gibson SG guitar, The Fool, a "psychedelic dream," made its debut at the RKO Theatre. After Fresh Cream, particularly on Disraeli Gears, Clapton used the guitar for the majority of Cream's recordings before the band split up in 1968. It's one of the world's best-known guitars, it evokes the psychedelic period. They began collecting Disraeli Gears in New York from 11 to 15 May 1967. Cream's repertoire spanned hard rock ("I Feel Free") to long blues-based instrumental jams ("Spoonful"). Clapton's earring guitar lines, Bruce's soaring vocals and powerful, fluid bass playing, and Baker's witty, polyrhythmic jazz-influenced drumming were included in Disraeli Gears. Cream's talent made them a leading power trio together. On the track "Are You Hung Up?" on Frank Zappa's album We're Only in It for the Money. Clapton's voice can be heard on Frank Zappa's album "Average." "Nasal Retentive Calliope Music" and "Nasal Retentive Calliope Music."

Cream had been a commercial success in 28 months, selling millions of albums and playing all around the United States and Europe. They reimagined the instrumentalist's role in rock, and they were one of the first blues-rock bands to emphasize musical virtuosity and long jazz-style improvisation sessions. "Sunshine of Your Love" is one of their US hit songs (No. 1). "White Room" in 1968 (No. 5) No. 6, 1968), and "Crossroads" ("No. 68) (Live version of Robert Johnson's "Cross Road Blues") on August 28, 1969. Despite being praised as one of the best bands of its day, and Clapton's adulation as a guitar legend hit new heights, the supergroup was short-lived. Their tense interaction with the three members heightened tensions, and Bruce and Baker's rivalry culminated in Cream's demise. Another significant factor in the trio's demise was a critical review by Rolling Stone of a concert of the group's second headlining US tour, which devastated Clapton profoundly. Clapton has also credited Music from Big Pink, the band's debut album, and the band's pioneering Americana sound as influencing his decision to leave Cream.

Goodbye, Cream's farewell album that featured live performances recorded at The Forum in Los Angeles on October 19, 1968, was released shortly after Cream disbanded. It was also the source of Clapton and George Harrison's "Badge," a studio album co-written by Clapton and George Harrison. (Clapton had lunch with Harrison and became close friends after the Beatles shared a bill with the Clapton-era Yardbirds at the London Palladium.) Clapton performed on Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," the Beatles' self-titled double album (also known as "The White Album"). Wonderwall Music (1968), Harrison's debut solo album, became the first of many Harrison solo albums to feature Clapton on guitar. Clapton went largely uncredited for his contributions to Harrison's albums due to contractual constraints, and Harrison was credited as "L'Angelo Misterioso" on Goodbye. The pair used to perform live together as each other's guest. Clapton, the concert for George, was a year after Harrison's death in 2001.

Would Eric have become a Beatle?

Cream briefly reunited in 1993 to perform at the service inducting them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. In May 2005, a complete reunion took place, with Clapton, Bruce and Baker appearing in four sold-out concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall, as well as three shows at Madison Square Garden in New York. Royal Albert Hall London, 2005, recordings from the London shows, as well as a DVD released in late 2005.

Blind Faith, Clapton's successor band, was formed in 1969 and was led by Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood of Traffic, and Ric Grech of Family, which resulted in one LP and one arena circuit tour. On June 7, 1969, the supergroup debuted in Hyde Park, London, before 100,000 viewers. They toured Scandinavia and started a sold-out American tour in July, shortly after their first album was released. Blind Faith, LP, was limited to just six songs, one of which was "Can't Find My Way Home." "Presence of the Lord" by Clapton is the first song to be credited solely to Clapton. In the United States, the album's jacket photograph of a topless pubescent girl was deemed out of control, and a photograph of the band was replaced by one. Blind Faith dissolves after less than seven months.

Clapton performed as a sideman for a show that had opened for Blind Faith, Delaney, and Bonnie and Friends. He appeared on Lennon's Plastic Ono Band at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival in September 1969, a recording from which was released as the album Live Peace in Toronto 1969. Clapton appeared on "Cold Turkey" by Lennon on Lennon's second solo album on September 30, a lead guitarist. Clapton performed with Lennon, Harrison, and others as the Plastic Ono Supergroup at a fundraiser for UNICEF in London on December 15, 1998.

Delaney Bramlett supported Clapton in his writing and singing. Clapton recorded his first solo album during two brief tour hiatuses, titled Eric Clapton, using the Bramletts' backing band and an all-star cast of session players (including Leon Russell and Stephen Stills). Delaney Bramlett co-wrote six of the songs with Clapton, who also produced the album, and Bonnie Bramlett co-wrote "Let It Rain." The album contained the unexpected US No. 68, which was surprising. "After Midnight," J. J. Cale's "After Midnight" hits 18 people. Clapton appeared on George Harrison's All Things Must Pass in spring 1970, and he also appeared with a large section of Delaney and Bonnie's band.

During this time, Clapton also recorded with artists such as Dr. John, Leon Russell, Billy Preston, Ringo Starr, and Dave Mason. Howlin Wolf, a Chicago blues musician, created The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions, which also included long-time Wolf guitarist Hubert Sumlin and members of the Rolling Stones, Winwood, and Starr. "Even Eric Clapton, who usually looks forward to the possibility of playing with one of his idols, has consistently sluggish in interviews," critic Cub Koda wrote about the album, which "demonium on its own." Clapton's guitar performances on "Go Back Home" from Stephen Stills' self-titled first solo album are among the many notable recordings from this period.

Clapton formed a new band featuring Delaney and Bonnie's former rhythm section, Bobby Whitlock as the keyboardist and singer, Carl Radle as the drummer, and drummer Jim Gordon with Clapton playing guitar, with Clapton assisting with the formation of the "star" cult group around him. It was his intention to demonstrate that he did not have to fill a starring role and that he did a good job as a member of an ensemble. Clapton was especially influenced by the band's 1968 album Music from Big Pink, saying: "I was more concerned with songs and singing." They'll have three- and four-part harmony, and the guitar will be brought back to life as accompaniment. That suited me well because I was getting so tired of the virtuosity – or pseudo-virtuosity – thing long, that I was playing boring guitar solos for the sake of getting bored. The band brought things right back to perspective. The song was a priority.

"Eric Clapton and Friends" was the band's name at the time. The eventual name was a fluke that occurred when the band's provisional name of "Del and the Dynamos" was misread as Derek and the Dominos. According to Clapton's biography, Tony Ashton, Gardner, and Dyke begged Clapton to call the band "Del and the Dominos" because "Del" was his nickname for Eric Clapton. Del and Eric were joined, and the final name became "Derek and the Dominos."

Clapton's close friendship with George Harrison brought him into contact with Harrison's wife, Pattie Boyd, with whom he became deeply infatuated. Clapton's unbridled passions prompted the majority of the lyrics for the Dominos' album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs (1970). The album is influenced by the blues, and Clapton and Duane Allman's twin lead guitars are included, as well as Allman's slide guitar as a key component of the sound. Working at Criteria Studios in Miami with Atlantic Records producer Tom Dowd, who had been with Clapton on Cream's Disraeli Gears, the band recorded a double album.

The collection contained the hit love song "Layla," inspired by Persian writer Nizami Ganjavi's The Story of Layla and Majnun, a copy of which Ian Dallas had given to Clapton. Clapton was moved by the book's story of a young man who fell hopelessly in love with a beautiful, abundant woman and went mad because he refused to marry her. The two parts of "Layla" were recorded in separate sessions: the opening guitar section was recorded first, and drummer Jim Gordon played the piano part of the song, which he claimed to have written (though Bobby Whitlock said Rita Coolidge wrote it).

The Layla LP was actually recorded by a five-piece version of the group, thanks to the group's unexpected inclusion of guitarist Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band. Dowd – who was also producing the Allmans – welcomed Clapton to an Allman Brothers outdoor concert in Miami just a few days into the Layla sessions. The two guitarists appeared on stage first, then spent the night in the studio, and became close friends. Duane's slide guitar appeared on "Tell the Truth" and "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out" and "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out." "Key to the Highway," "Have You Ever Loved a Woman" (a blues standard used by Freddie King and others) and "Why Does Love Have to be So Sad?" the five-piece Dominos recorded in four days. Duane and his friends stayed for a brief time in September before heading to gigs with his own band, and the four-piece Dominos released "I Looked Away," "Bell Bottom Blues," and "Keep On Growing" on the radio. "I Am Yours," "Anyday" and "It's Too Late" are allman's favorite songs. They released Hendrix's "Little Wing" and the championship track on September 9th. "It's Too Late" was released the following day.

Tragedy didgged the company for a brief period of time. Clapton was stunned by Jimi Hendrix's death; eight days before, the band had cut a shield of "Little Wing" as a tribute. Clapton purchased a left-handed Fender Stratocaster on September 17, 1970, one day before Hendrix's death, that he had planned to give to Hendrix as a birthday gift. Layla received only lukewarm reviews on release, adding to Clapton's woes. The troubled group undertook a tour in the United States without Allman, who had returned to the Allman Brothers Band. Despite Clapton's later confession that the tour took place in the midst of a blizzard of cocaine and alcohol, it resulted in the live double album In Concert.

As a clash of egos ensued and Clapton walked out, recording of a second Dominos studio album was underway, disbanding the group was underway. On the 29th of October 1971, a man was killed in a motorcycle crash. Clapton wrote later in his autobiography that he and Allman were inseparable during the Layla sessions in Florida; he referred to Allman as the "intellective brother" who "i'd never had but wished I did." Although Radle remained Clapton's bass player until the summer of 1979 (Radle died in May 1980 from the effects of alcohol and narcotics), Clapton did not meet together again until 2003; Clapton was on the Later show with Jools Holland. Jim Gordon's demise, who had undiagnosed schizophrenia and years later murdered his mother during a psychotic episode, was another tragic footnote to the Dominos tale. Gordon was sentenced to 16 years in jail before being transferred to a mental institution, where he is now.

Clapton's career in the 1970s were in stark contrast to his 1980s experiences, which were marred by romantic longings and heroin and alcohol use. When the Dominos broke up, Boyd was still infatuated with him and torn by his kinship with Harrison. He battled a heroin use, which culminated in a long career absence, only after appearing at Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh benefit shows in New York in August 1971; there, he revived his appearance and managed to finish his show. Pete Townshend, a former Clapton fan, staged a comeback performance at London's Rainbow Theatre in January 1973 to help Clapton overcome his heroin use. In Ken Russell's film version of "Who's Tommy" in 1975, Clapton returned the love by playing "The Preacher" in Ken Russell's "The Preacher." His role in the film ("Eyesight to the Blind") is particularly notable because he is clearly sporting a fake beard in several shots, leading to the director's decision to compel the director to delete his older scenes from the film and leave the scene.

Clapton started living with Boyd (they did not marry until 1979) and was no longer using heroin (although he gradually started to drink heavily). He formed a low-key touring band featuring Radle, Miami guitarist George Terry, keyboardist Dick Sims (who died in 2011), drummer Jamie Oldaker, and singer Marcy Levy (also known as Marcella Detroit). Clapton's 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974), an album with a greater emphasis on compact songs and no guitar solos, was Clapton's first top-one hit and was instrumental in bringing reggae and Bob Marley's music to a larger audience. There's One in Every Crowd, a 1975 album The There's One in Every Crowd sparked this trend. The album's original title, The World's Greatest Guitar Player, was renamed before pressing because its ironic meaning was mistook. The band toured the world and then released the 1975 live LP E. C. Was Here. Clapton continued to record albums and toured often. The time of No Reason to Cry (a collaboration with Bob Dylan and The Band); Slowhand, which contained "Wonderful Tonight"; and "Cocaine," a second J. Cale cover. He appeared in 1976 as one of a string of notable guests at The Band's farewell performance, which was shot in a Martin Scorsese film titled The Last Waltz.

Clapton was invited by producer Martin Lewis to attend The Amnesty International Benefit The Secret Policeman's Other Ball in London in 1981. Clapton accepted the invitation and team up with Jeff Beck to perform a series of duets, the first time billed stage collaboration. Three of the songs were released on the album of the show, and one of the songs appeared in the film. Clapton's performances in the new decade brought them back to form and acclaim. Many factors contributed to Clapton's return to Christianity, including his "deeper commitment to Christianity," which he had to avoid prior to his heroin use.

Clapton wrote in his autobiography:

After being discharged, doctors in Hazelden recommended that Clapton do not partake in any activities that could be triggerings of his alcoholism or stress. But it did happen. In November 1987, Clapton would return to the Hazelden Rehabilitation Center. He has been sober ever since. Clapton began working on his next album, against doctors' orders, a few months after his release from his first rehab program. He produced what he believes to be his "most forced" album to date, Money and Cigarettes, while working with Tom Dowd. Clapton chose "because that's all I heard myself having left" after his first week of alcoholism recovery.

In 1984, he appeared on former Pink Floyd member Roger Waters' solo album The Pros and Conscious of Hitch Hiking, as well as the supporting tour. Waters and Clapton have been close since the times. They worked together for the Tsunami Relief Fund in 2005. They appeared at the Highclere Castle in 2006 in aid of the Countryside Alliance, and they were able to perform two set pieces of "Wish You Were Here" and "Comfortably Numb." Clapton, a regular charity performer, appeared at the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia on July 13, 1985, with Phil Collins, Tim Renwick, Chris Stainton, Jamie Oldaker, Jamie Oldaker, Marcy Levy, Shaun Murphy, and Donald 'Duck' Dunn. When offered a slot near to peak viewing hours, he was obviously distraught. His album output continued in the 1980s, including two from Phil Collins, 1985's Behind the Sun, which produced the hits "Forever Man" and "She's Waiting" and "She's Waiting," as well as 1986's August.

July became Clapton's top-seller in the United Kingdom to date, suffusing with Collins' iconic drum and horn sounds, and surpassing his highest chart position, number 3. "It's in the Way You Use It," the album's first song, appeared in the Tom Cruise–Paul Newman film The Color of Money. Clapton's more upbeat music continued in "Tearing Us Apart" (with Tina Turner) and "Miss You" continued. Clapton's two-year career with Collins, bassist Nathan East, and keyboard player/songwriter Greg Phillinganes were among the tunes that started with the band. Eric Clapton Live from Montreux and Friends, while on tour for August, two concert videos of the four-man band were shot: Eric Clapton and Eric Clapton and Friends. "After Midnight" was a single and a promotional track for the Michelob beer brand, which had also used earlier songs by Collins and Steve Winwood. Clapton received a British Academy Television Award for his role as an expert on the score for the 1985 BBC television thriller series Edge of Shadow. Clapton received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Music at the 1987 British Academy Awards in London. He appeared on George Harrison's album Cloud Nine in 1987, playing guitar on "Cloud Nine," "That's What It Takes," "Devil's Radio" and "Wreck of the Hesperus."

The Bee Gees was also involved in fundraising for charity. The Bunburys formed themselves and released a charity album with the proceeds going to the Bunbury Cricket Club in Cheshire, which plays exhibition cricket matches to raise money for charitable organisations in England. "We're the Bunburys," "Bunbury Afternoon" and "Fight (No Matter How Long)" were three Bunbury Tails songs recorded. The last song appeared on The 1988 Summer Olympics Album and then debuted at No. 1 in the United States. The rock music chart is ranked at number 8 on the charts. Clapton appeared at the 2011 London's Grosvenor House Hotel for the cricket club's 25th anniversary celebrations. He appeared with Dire Straits and Elton John at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute at Wembley Stadium and the Prince's Trust rock gala at the Royal Albert Hall in 1988. Clapton released Journeyman, an album that covered a wide variety of genres, including blues, jazz, soul, and pop in 1989. George Harrison, Phil Collins, Daryl Hall, Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan, Mick Jones, David Sanborn, and Robert Cray were among the collaborators. As a single, the song "Bad Love" was released as a single and later received the Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.

A number of 32 concerts, including the 24 Nights series of concerts that took place from January to February 1990, as well as March 1991, brought a number of 32 concerts to the Royal Albert Hall. Dire Straits, Clapton, and Elton John made a guest appearance in the Nordoff-Robbins charity exhibition held at Knebworth, England, on June 30th. Stevie Ray Vaughan, a fellow blues guitarist on tour with Clapton, and three others of their road crew were killed in a helicopter crash between concerts on August 27, 1990. Conor, Clapton's four-year-old son, died after falling from the 53rd-floor window of his mother's apartment in 117 East 57th Street on 20 March 1991. Conor's funeral took place on March 28th at St Mary Magdalene's Church in Clapton's home village of Ripley, Surrey. Clapton appeared on Richie Sambora's album Stranger in This Town in 1991, titled "Mr. Bluesman." He performed guitar and vocals on "Runaway Train," a duet with Elton John on the latter's "The One album the following year.

Will Jennings' song "Tears in Heaven" represented Clapton's loss. Clapton's albums "Tears in Heaven" and his Unplugged album, which Clapton performed live in front of a small audience on January 16th, Berkshire, England, received six Grammy Awards at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards. The album debuted on the Billboard 200 for selling more than ten million copies in the United States, and the RIAA has rated it Diamond. It debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart and is now certified four times platinum in the United Kingdom. Clapton performed "Tears in Heaven" at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards on September 9, 1992, and the Best Male Video was given the prize for Best Male Video.

The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors awarded Clapton the Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1992. Clapton was one of hundreds of musicians on stage at Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration in October 1992. The live two-disk CD/DVD caught a show full of classic Dylan songs, with Clapton leading the way on a nearly 7-minute version of Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" as part of the finale. Although Clapton performed acoustic guitar on Unplugged, his 1994 album From the Cradle featured new interpretations of old blues standards, exemplified by his electric guitar playing. Clapton appeared on a UK No. 94 for the first and only time. On a solo to a cover of "Love Can Build a Bridge," a British charity charity telethon Comic Relief (Rossie Hynde, Cher and Neneh Cherry collaborates on a single for "Love Can Build a Bridge."

At Armani's Lexington Armory in New York City on September 12, 1996, Clapton, Nathan East, and Steve Gadd hosted a party for Armani. Sheryl Crow appeared on one number, "Tearing Us Apart," a track that was first performed by Tina Turner during the Prince's Trust All-Star Rock show in 1986. Following the open-air concert held at Hyde Park, Clapton's sole US appearance of the year had been scheduled. Both on VHS video cassette and later, on DVD, the concert was taped, and the video was released later on DVD. Clapton's 1996 recording of the Wayne Kirkpatrick/Tommy Sims tune "Change the World" (on the soundtrack of the film Phenomenon) received the Grammy Award for Song of the Year (an album of electronic music with Simon Climie under the pseudonym TDF), as well as his 1996 collection of Electronic Music (an album of electronic music with Simon Climie under the pseudonym TDF). Clapton performed "Layla" and "Same Old Blues" at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on September 15, 1997, before concluding with "Hey Jude" alongside fellow English artists Paul McCartney, Elton John, Phil Collins, Mark Knopfler, and Sting. Clapton's album Pilgrim, the first album to feature new music for over a decade, was released in the autumn.

Clapton had a relationship with singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow in 1996. They're still friends, and Clapton appeared as a guest on Crow's Central Park Concert. "White Room," the duo's Cream hit song, was released. At the Crossroads Guitar Festival in June 2007, Clapton and Crow performed an alternate version of "Tulsa Time" with other guitar legends as well as Robert Johnson's "Crossroads" at London's Hyde Park in August 2008.

Clapton received his third Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for his song "My Father's Eyes" at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards on February 24, 1999. Clapton Chronicles: The Best of Eric Clapton was released in October 1999, which also appeared in the film Runaway Bride's soundtrack. Clapton completed the twentieth century by collaborating with Carlos Santana and B.B. King of the United Kingdom. Clapton admired the King and had always wanted to make an album with him, but Clapton said of him, "I admire the guy." I believe he is No. 1. As a guitarist and No. 1, you can't see anything in rock 'n' roll. "I am a fantastic individual."

In March 2001, Clapton unveiled the album Reptile. Clapton appeared at the Concert for New York City with Buddy Guy a month after the 11 September attacks. Clapton performed "Layla" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" at the Palace concert in the grounds of Buckingham Palace on June 22, 2002, marking Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. The Concert for George at the Royal Albert Hall on November 29, 2002, was held a year earlier by George Harrison, a year before he died of lung cancer. Clapton was both a performer and the musical director. Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and the Heartbreakers, Ravi Shankar, Gary Brooker, Billy Preston, Joe Brown, and Dhani Harrison were among the performers on stage. Robert Johnson, Me and Mr. Johnson, and Sessions for Robert J. Doyle made two albums of songs by Robert Johnson, Me and Mr. Johnson, as well as Doyle Bramhall II of Clapton's debut on the album in 2004. Clapton No. 1 was ranked No. 2 in 2004, according to Rolling Stone. On their list of the "Greatest Artists of All Time," 53 artists feature on their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time." The Toots & the Maytals Grammy award-winning album True Love, where he appeared on the track "Pressure Drop" in which he performed guitar.

Clapton appeared in the Tsunami Relief Concert, which took place at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on January 22, 2005, in support of the victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker reunited as Cream for a series of concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall in May 2005. Concert recordings were also available on CD and DVD. Cream later performed at Madison Square Garden in New York. Back Home, Clapton's first album of new original material in nearly five years, was released on Reprise Records on August 30.

On November 7, 2006, Derek Trucks and Billy Preston, a guitarist J. Cale, was released, a tribute to Escondido by Elvis Trucks and Billy Preston (Preston was also a member of Clapton's 2004 touring band). He urged Trucks to join his band from 2006 to 2007. Bramhall stayed, giving Clapton three top guitarists in his band, allowing him to revisit some Derek and the Dominos songs that he hadn't played in decades. Trucks were the third member of the Allman Brothers Band to tour support Clapton, the second being pianist/keyboardist Chuck Leavell, who appeared on the MTV Unplugged album and the 24 Nights concerts in 1990 and 1991, as well as Clapton's 1992 US tour.

Clapton appeared on Highclere Castle, Hampshire, on May 20th, 2006, with Queen drummer Roger Taylor and former Pink Floyd bassist/songwriter Roger Waters. The Countryside Alliance, which promotes issues relating to the British countryside, was founded in 2006. Clapton appeared in Bob Dylan's opening act in Columbus, Ohio, on August 13, 2006, playing guitar on three songs. At Clapton's set at the 2007 Crossroads Guitar Festival, the chemistry between Trucks and Clapton convinced him to invite the Derek Trucks Band to open for Clapton's set at his 2007 Crossroads Guitar Festival. Trucks stayed on stage and performed with Clapton's band throughout his set. At the 2005 Frankfurt Book Fair, the rights to Clapton's official memoirs, written by Christopher Simon Sykes and released in 2007, were sold for US$4 million.

Clapton learned more about his father, a Canadian soldier who left the United Kingdom after the war. Although Clapton's parents eventually told him the truth about his parentage, he was only aware that his father's name was Edward Fryer. This was a point of disquiet for Clapton, as shown by his 1998 hit "My Father's Eyes." Michael Woloschuk, a Montreal journalist, investigated Canadian Armed Forces service records and tracked down relatives of Fryer's family until the piece was finally assembled. Edward Walter Fryer, a 21-March 1920 Montreal native who died in Newmarket, Ontario, died on May 15, 1985. He discovered that Clapton's father was Edward Walter Fryer, born 21 March 1920 in Montreal. Fryer, a lifelong wanderer who was married several times and had several children, but evidently never knew he was the father of Eric Clapton. In an encounter at Macdonald–Cartier Airport in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Clapton thanked Woloschuk.

North Korean officials had invited Clapton to appear at a concert in the communist state on February 26, 2008. Clapton's board accepted the invite and handed the money over to the singer, who agreed in principle and suggested that it take place sometime in 2009. "Eric Clapton has received numerous bids to play in countries around the world," a spokesperson for North Korea said, "there is no agreement for him to play in North Korea." Clapton appeared on his record "Dirty City" on Winwood's album Nine Lives in February 2008 with his longtime friend Steve Winwood. In June 2009, the two former Blind Faith bandmates appeared in a series of 14 concerts around the country. Clapton's 2008 Summer Tour began in Tampa, Florida, and then proceeded to Canada, Ireland, England, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Poland, and Monaco. He headlined Hard Rock Calling 2008 in Hyde Park, London, (previously known as Hyde Park Calling), with help from Sheryl Crow and John Mayer.

The Allman Brothers Band (among many notable guests) celebrated their 40th anniversary in March 2009, dedicating their series of concerts to late Duane Allman, who appeared on Beacon Theatre for their annual run. Eric Clapton was one of the performers, with drummer Butch Trucks remarking that the performance was not like any other Allman Brothers event, given the number and musical styles of the guests invited to perform. "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed" and "The Weight" were among others; "The Weight" was a parody on Levon Helm; and "Layla" were included in Hendrix's "Red House"; Clapton appeared on "Further on Up the Road" with Joe Bonamassa on May 4, 2009 at the Royal Albert Hall.

Clapton had been supposed to appear at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 25th anniversary concert in Madison Square Garden on October 30, 2009, but had to cancel due to gallstone surgery. In an interview with Van Morrison (who also cancelled) it revealed that he and Clapton would do a "couple of songs," but that they would do something else together at "some other time of the game."

On February 13, 2010, Clapton performed a two-night performance with Jeff Beck at the O2 Arena in London. With stops at Madison Square Garden, the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, and the Bell Centre in Montreal, the two former Yardbirds completed their 2010 tour. From 25 February to March 2010, Clapton appeared in 11 cities around the country, with Roger Daltrey as the opening act. Steve Winwood's third European tour began on May 18th and ended on June 13th, with Tom Norris as the opening act. He began a short North American tour from June 26th to July 3rd, beginning with his third Crossroads Guitar Festival in Bridgeview, Illinois, on June 26th. Clapton dropped a new studio album in the United Kingdom on September 27th, 2010 in the United Kingdom, and in the United States on September 28th. Clapton appeared on the Prince's Trust rock gala at the Royal Albert Hall on November 17, 2010, backed by the house band for the evening, which featured Jools Holland, Midge Ure, and Mark King.

Clapton appeared in Cava de' Tirreni stadium on June 24th, 2011 before a series of concerts in South America from 6 to 10. Steve Winwood appeared in 13 shows in various cities around the country in November and December 2011. Clapton, Keith Richards, Gary Clark Jr., Derek Trucks, Doyle Bramhall II, Kim Wilson, and other musicians all performed in the Howlin' For Hubert tribute concert, held at the Apollo Theater in New York City on February 24, 2012. Clapton appeared at The O2 Arena in London on November 29, 2012, during the band's second of five arena dates to commemorating their 50th anniversary. Clapton performed The Concert for Sandy Relief at Madison Square Garden on December 12th, a live broadcast on television, radio, theaters, and the internet throughout six continents. Surfdog Records announced a signed contract with Clapton for the release of his forthcoming album Old Sock on January 12, 2013. The limited edition Eric Clapton Artist Spotlight merchandise series, which is funded by Crossroads Centre Antigua, was released on April 8, 2013. Clapton performed in the United States and Europe from 14 March to 19 June 2013, when the singer was celebrating 50 years as a professional musician. Clapton revealed on February 28, 2013 that he would avoid touring in 2015 due to travel problems.

Clapton's hit Unplugged album and concert DVD were re-released on October 15, 2013. Unplugged: Expanded and Remastered was Clapton's most popular Unplugged album and concert DVD. The album includes the original 14 tracks, remastered, as well as six additional tracks, including two versions of "My Father's Eyes." The DVD includes a restored version of the performance as well as over 60 minutes of unseen footage from the rehearsal. Clapton performed the final two evenings of the "Baloise Session," an annual indoor music festival in Basel, Switzerland, on November 13, 13. Warner Bros. Unveiled Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 on CD/DVD/Blu-ray on Friday, November 20, 2013. Clapton announced the publication of The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale on the 30th of April as an homage to J. J. Cale, who died on July 26, 2013. This tribute album is named after Clapton's 1972 single "Call Me the Breeze" and includes 16 Cale songs performed by Clapton, Mark Knopfler, John Mayer, Willie Nelson, Tom Petty, and others. Clapton abruptly walked off stage during a Glasgow Hydrograph concert on June 21. Despite the fact that he did return to perform one last song, thousands of followers were outraged by Clapton's lack of explanation or the venue, booed after the performance ended around 40 minutes before expected to end. Both Clapton and the venue apologised for the next day, blaming 'technical difficulties' for making sound conditions 'unbearable' for Clapton on stage. He revealed his retirement plans a week later, citing "unbearable" in lieu of "odd illnesses" that could force him to put down his guitar permanently. Clapton revealed that he had been diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in 2013, a condition involving peripheral nerve damage that normally causes stabbing, burning, or tingling pain in the arms and legs.

On 1 and 3 May 2015, Clapton performed two shows at Madison Square Garden in New York, as well as a 7-night residency at Royal Albert Hall in London, celebrating his 70th birthday on March 30. Clapton made his debut at the Royal Albert Hall in 1964 as part of The Yardbirds, a BBC television show. Eagle Rock Entertainment's Slowhand at 70 – Live at the Royal Albert Hall, was released on November 13, 2015, on DVD, CD, Blu-ray, and LP. On the 46th anniversary of Clapton's opening of the "new" Madison Square Garden on November 2nd, 1968, the two-night concerts in the United States commemorated the country's 46th birthday. Cream, with Cream, opened the "new" Madison Square Garden on November 2nd. Clapton has appeared more times at Madison Square Garden than at any other venue in the United States, in total, 45 times. Clapton's twentieth studio album I Still Do, released on May 20th. The live-album Live in San Diego was published on September 30, 2016. Clapton revealed in August 2018 that he had recorded his twenty-fourth studio album, Happy Xmas, which consists of blues-tinged interpretations of Christmas songs, with the album releasing on October 12th. He appeared in Japan, Europe, and the Southwestern United States from April to September 2019. In September 2021, he returned to the road in the southern United States, appearing at eight shows. In May 2022, Clapton announced a run of seven concerts in the United States, including Jimmie Vaughan.

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