He earned the nickname "Slowhand" due to the audience's slow handclap while he changed guitar strings during performances.
Clapton is a three-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a unique achievement in music history.
He has been ranked second in Rolling Stone's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time."
Biography
Early Life
Eric Patrick Clapton was born on March 30, 1945, in Ripley, Surrey, England. He was the son of Patricia Molly Clapton and Edward Walter Fryer, a soldier who was drafted to war before Clapton's birth. Growing up, Clapton believed that his grandmother and her second husband were his parents, leading to a complex family dynamic. He received his first guitar, an acoustic Hoyer, for his thirteenth birthday, but it was not until two years later that he fully embraced playing, influenced heavily by blues music. Clapton practiced diligently, recording his sessions to refine his skills.
Career
Clapton's professional journey began in October 1963 when he joined the Yardbirds, a rhythm and blues band. His unique style, influenced by legendary blues guitarists, quickly made him a prominent figure in the British music scene. Clapton earned the nickname "Slowhand" during his time with the Yardbirds, a reference to the audience's slow handclap while he changed guitar strings. After leaving the Yardbirds in 1965, he joined John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, further solidifying his reputation. Clapton's career flourished as he formed Cream and later embarked on a successful solo career, releasing numerous acclaimed albums, including "461 Ocean Boulevard" and "Slowhand."
Legacy
Eric Clapton is celebrated as one of the most influential guitarists in rock music history. He is the only artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times: as a solo artist and as a member of both the Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton's impact on music extends beyond his guitar skills; he has influenced recording techniques and inspired countless musicians. His dedication to the blues and rock genres has earned him numerous accolades, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and the Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
I Still Do2016
- 1.Alabama Woman Blues5:07
- 2.Can’t Let You Do It3:51
- 3.I Will Be There4:38
- 4.Spiral5:04
- 5.Catch the Blues4:52
- 6.Cypress Grove4:50
- 7.Little Man, You’ve Had a Busy Day3:12
- 8.Stones in My Passway4:03
- 9.I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine4:02
- 10.I’ll Be Alright4:23
- 11.Somebody’s Knockin’5:11
- 12.I’ll Be Seeing You5:03
The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale2014
- 1.They Call Me the Breeze3:04
- 2.Rock and Roll Records2:18
- 3.Someday3:46
- 4.Lies3:06
- 5.Sensitive Kind5:15
- 6.Cajun Moon2:26
- 7.Magnolia3:41
- 8.I Got the Same Old Blues3:02
- 9.Songbird2:54
- 10.Since You Said Goodbye2:59
- 11.I’ll Be There (If You Ever Want Me)2:36
- 12.The Old Man and Me2:55
- 13.Train to Nowhere4:50
- 14.Starbound2:02
- 15.Don’t Wait2:45
- 16.Crying Eyes3:30
Old Sock2013
- 1.Further On Down the Road5:44
- 2.Angel3:54
- 3.The Folks Who Live on the Hill3:46
- 4.Gotta Get Over4:38
- 5.Till Your Well Runs Dry4:42
- 6.All of Me3:23
- 7.Born to Lose4:03
- 8.Still Got the Blues5:55
- 9.Goodnight Irene4:23
- 10.Your One and Only Man4:31
- 11.Every Little Thing4:35
- 12.Our Love Is Here to Stay4:13
Clapton2010
- 1.Travelin’ Alone3:57
- 2.Rocking Chair4:04
- 3.River Runs Deep5:53
- 4.Judgement Day3:13
- 5.How Deep Is the Ocean5:29
- 6.My Very Good Friend the Milkman3:21
- 7.Can’t Hold Out Much Longer4:09
- 8.That’s No Way to Get Along6:08
- 9.Everything Will Be Alright3:52
- 10.Diamonds Made From Rain4:23
- 11.When Somebody Thinks You’re Wonderful2:51
- 12.Hard Times Blues3:45
- 13.Run Back to Your Side5:18
- 14.Autumn Leaves5:40
The Road to Escondido2006
- 1.Danger5:33
- 2.Heads in Georgia4:09
- 3.Missing Person4:27
- 4.When the War Is Over3:48
- 5.Sporting Life Blues3:31
- 6.Dead End Road3:28
- 7.It’s Easy4:17
- 8.Hard to Thrill5:11
- 9.Anyway the Wind Blows3:54
- 10.Three Little Girls2:44
- 11.Don’t Cry Sister3:09
- 12.Last Will and Testament3:57
- 13.Who Am I Telling You?4:07
- 14.Ride the River4:36
Back Home2005
- 1.So Tired4:48
- 2.Say What You Will4:35
- 3.I’m Going Left4:03
- 4.Love Don’t Love Nobody7:13
- 5.Revolution5:01
- 6.Love Comes to Everyone4:35
- 7.Lost and Found5:21
- 8.Piece of My Heart4:23
- 9.One Day5:20
- 10.One Track Mind5:04
- 11.Run Home to Me6:18
- 12.Back Home3:33
Me and Mr Johnson2004
- 1.When You Got a Good Friend3:23
- 2.Little Queen of Spades5:00
- 3.They’re Red Hot3:27
- 4.Me and the Devil Blues2:59
- 5.Traveling Riverside Blues4:33
- 6.Last Fair Deal Gone Down2:38
- 7.Stop Breakin’ Down Blues2:32
- 8.Milkcow’s Calf Blues3:21
- 9.Kind Hearted Woman Blues4:09
- 10.Come On in My Kitchen3:37
- 11.If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day3:30
- 12.Love in Vain4:05
- 13.32‐20 Blues3:01
- 14.Hell Hound on My Trail3:51
Sessions for Robert J2004
- 1.Sweet Home Chicago5:20
- 2.Milkcow’s Calf Blues3:52
- 3.Terraplane Blues3:39
- 4.If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day3:26
- 5.Stop Breakin’ Down Blues2:59
- 6.Little Queen of Spades5:30
- 7.Traveling Riverside Blues4:29
- 8.Me and the Devil Blues2:52
- 9.From Four Until Late3:03
- 10.Kind Hearted Woman Blues5:41
- 11.Ramblin’ on My Mind2:42
Reptile2001
- 1.Reptile3:26
- 2.Got You on My Mind4:30
- 3.Travelin’ Light4:17
- 4.Believe in Life5:06
- 5.Come Back Baby3:54
- 6.Broken Down5:27
- 7.Find Myself5:15
- 8.I Ain’t Gonna Stand For It4:50
- 9.I Want a Little Girl2:58
- 10.Second Nature4:48
- 11.Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight4:48
- 12.Modern Girl4:49
- 13.Superman Inside5:07
- 14.Son & Sylvia4:44
- 15.Losing Hand4:19
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door2000
- 1.Come On and Love Me3:35
- 2.The Dealer4:04
- 3.Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door3:37
- 4.Go Out and Make It Happen3:40
- 5.It Feels Good3:48
- 6.Been on the Road Too Long4:06
- 7.Train 4443:33
- 8.Someone Like You4:49
- 9.Plum (instrumental)5:07
Riding With the King2000
- 1.Riding With the King4:23
- 2.Ten Long Years4:41
- 3.Key to the Highway3:40
- 4.Marry You5:00
- 5.Three O’Clock Blues8:37
- 6.Help the Poor5:06
- 7.I Wanna Be4:46
- 8.Worried Life Blues4:26
- 9.Days of Old3:00
- 10.When My Heart Beats Like a Hammer7:10
- 11.Hold On I’m Coming6:20
- 12.Come Rain or Come Shine4:11
Pilgrim1998
- 1.My Father’s Eyes5:25
- 2.River of Tears7:22
- 3.Pilgrim5:50
- 4.Broken Hearted7:52
- 5.One Chance5:56
- 6.Circus4:12
- 7.Going Down Slow5:20
- 8.Fall Like Rain3:50
- 9.Born in Time4:42
- 10.Sick and Tired5:44
- 11.Needs His Woman3:46
- 12.She’s Gone4:46
- 13.You Were There5:32
- 14.Inside of Me5:26
From the Cradle1994
Tracklist not collected yet.
Journeyman1989
Tracklist not collected yet.
August1986
Tracklist not collected yet.
Behind the Sun1985
Tracklist not collected yet.
Money and Cigarettes1983
Tracklist not collected yet.
Another Ticket1981
Tracklist not collected yet.
Backless1978
Tracklist not collected yet.
Slowhand1977
Tracklist not collected yet.
No Reason to Cry1976
Tracklist not collected yet.
There’s One in Every Crowd1975
Tracklist not collected yet.
461 Ocean Boulevard1974
Tracklist not collected yet.
The London Howlin’ Wolf Sessions1971
Tracklist not collected yet.
Eric Clapton1970
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Warner Bros. Records
- Record label
- Atco Records
- Record label
- Polydor
Achievements
- Award
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Award
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire
- Award
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
- Award
- Silver Clef Award
- Award
- Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres
Groups
- Delaney & Bonniecurrent
- Eric Clapton & His All Star Bandcurrent
- Eric Clapton And His Bandcurrent
- Eric Clapton and the Powerhouseeponymouscurrent
- George's Bandcurrent
- Legendsguitarcurrent
- Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroescurrent
- Sean Head Showbandcurrent
- T.D.F.current
- The Chester Beescurrent
- The Louisiana Gator Boyscurrent
- The Secret Policecurrent
- The Singing Rebels’ Bandbackground vocalscurrent
- The Yardbirds1963–1965
- John Mayall & the Bluesbreakerselectric guitar · 1965–1966
- Cream1966–1968
- Blind Faith1968–1969
- Plastic Ono Bandelectric guitar · 1969–1969
- Derek and the Dominoseponymous, lead vocals · 1970–1971
Played together with
- Alan GlenThe Yardbirds
Alan WhitePlastic Ono Band · 1969–1971 · drums (drum set)- Aynsley DunbarJohn Mayall & the Bluesbreakers · 1966–1967 · drums (drum set)
Bobby WhitlockDerek and the Dominos · 1970–1971 · lead vocals- Carl RadleDerek and the Dominos · 1970–1971 · electric bass guitar
Chris DrejaThe Yardbirds · 1963–1968- Chris MercerJohn Mayall & the Bluesbreakers · 1967–1968 · saxophone
- Coco MontoyaJohn Mayall & the Bluesbreakers · 1984–1993 · electric guitar
Dave MasonDerek and the Dominos · 1970–1970 · guitar- Dick Heckstall‐SmithJohn Mayall & the Bluesbreakers · 1967–1968 · saxophone
Ginger BakerBlind Faith · 1968–1969- Ginger BakerCream · 1966–1968
Similar artists
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Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Eric Claption, Eric Patrick Clapton, Slowhand
Eric Patrick Clapton is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is regarded as one of the most successful and influential guitarists in rock music. 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". He was named number five in Time magazine's list of "The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players" in 2009.
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Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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