Eric Clapton is one of the most popular and influential guitarists of all time. Though he is mostly known for his work in rock and blues, he has also dabbled in other genres such as reggae and pop.
Clapton was born in England in 1945. His mother, Patricia Molly Clapton, was only 16 years old when she had him. She later married a Canadian soldier named Edward Fryer and the family moved to Canada when Eric was one year old. Fryer was abusive and Clapton did not have a good relationship with him. When Clapton was ten years old, his grandmother told him the truth about his parents and he went to live with her in England.
Clapton began playing guitar when he was thirteen years old. He was highly influenced by the blues and started out playing in local clubs. He soon gained popularity and joined the band The Yardbirds in 1963. He left the band in 1965 to join John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
In 1966, Clapton formed the rock band Cream with bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker. The band was highly successful and their album, Disraeli Gears, is considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time. Cream disbanded in 1968 and Clapton went on to have a successful solo career.
In 1970, Clapton released his self-titled debut album. The album featured the hit single “After Midnight”. Clapton’s second album, 461 Ocean Boulevard, was released in 1974 and featured the hit single “I Shot the Sheriff”.
Clapton has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times: once as a solo artist and twice as a member of Cream. He has also been awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire).
Clapton is known for his work with charitable organizations. He founded the Crossroads Centre in 1997, a drug and alcohol treatment center in Antigua. He has also auctioned off some of his guitars to raise money for charity.
In 2004, Clapton was ranked number four on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”. He is also one of the wealthiest musicians in the world, with an estimated net worth of $250 million.
Here are 10 things you might not know about Eric Clapton:
1. His full name is Eric Patrick Clapton.
2. He was born in Ripley, Surrey, England on March 30, 1945.
3. His mother, Patricia Molly Clapton, was only 16 years old when she had him. She later married a Canadian soldier named Edward Fryer and the family moved to Canada when Eric was one year old.
4. Fryer was abusive and Clapton did not have a good relationship with him. When Clapton was ten years old, his grandmother told him the truth about his parents and he went to live with her in England.
5. Clapton began playing guitar when he was thirteen years old. He was highly influenced by the blues and started out playing in local clubs.
6. He soon gained popularity and joined the band The Yardbirds in 1963. He left the band in 1965 to join John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
7. In 1966, Clapton formed the rock band Cream with bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker. The band was highly successful and their album, Disraeli Gears, is considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time. Cream disbanded in 1968 and Clapton went on to have a successful solo career.
8. In 1970, Clapton released his self-titled debut album. The album featured the hit single “After Midnight”. Clapton’s second album, 461 Ocean Boulevard, was released in 1974 and featured the hit single “I Shot the Sheriff”.
9. Clapton has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times: once as a solo artist and twice as a member of Cream. He has also been awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire).
10. Clapton is known for his work with charitable organizations. He founded the Crossroads Centre in 1997, a drug and alcohol treatment center in Antigua.