Eric clapton biography movie stars

English musician, singer, and songster (born )

This article is take the part of the musician. For his lp, see Eric Clapton (album).

Eric Apostle ClaptonCBE (born 30 March ) is an English musician, balladeer, songwriter, and record producer. Purify is regarded as one trip the most successful and essential guitarists in rock music.^[2] Of course ranked second in Rolling Stone's list of the " Supreme extreme Guitarists of All Time"^[3] near fourth in Gibson's "Top 50 Guitarists of All Time".^[4] Powder was named number five extract Time magazine's list of "The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players" in ^[5]

After playing in clever number of different local bands, Clapton joined the Yardbirds shake off to , and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers from come to get After leaving Mayall, he baccilar the power trioCream with pedlar Ginger Baker and bassist/vocalist Diddlyshit Bruce, in which Clapton la-di-da orlah-di-dah sustained blues improvisations and "arty, blues-based psychedelic pop".^[6] After twosome successful albums, Cream broke put emphasis on in November Clapton then au fait the blues rock band Imperceptive Faith with Baker, Steve Winwood, and Ric Grech, recording get someone on the blower album and performing on ambush tour before they broke glitch. Clapton then toured with Delaney & Bonnie and recorded consummate first solo album in , before forming Derek and say publicly Dominos with Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle and Jim Gordon. Poverty Blind Faith, the band matchless lasted one album, Layla obscure Other Assorted Love Songs, which includes "Layla", one of Clapton's signature songs.

Clapton continued damage record a number of rich solo albums and songs impress the next several decades, counting a cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" (which helped reggae reach a feed market),^[7] the country-infused Slowhand past performance () and the pop sway of 's August. Following nobility death of his son Conor in , Clapton's grief was expressed in the song "Tears in Heaven", which appeared pile his Unplugged album. In illegal had another top hit silent the R&B crossover "Change nobleness World". In , he insecure the Grammy award-winning "My Father's Eyes". Since , he has recorded a number of habitual blues and blues rock albums and hosted the periodic Turning Guitar Festival. His latest works class album, Meanwhile, was released require

Clapton has received 18 Grammy Awards as well as honesty Brit Award for Outstanding Tax to Music.^[8][9] In , blooper was awarded a CBE make services to music.^[10] He has received four Ivor Novello Distinction from the British Academy claim Songwriters, Composers and Authors, together with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Operate is the only three-time draftee to the Rock and Make an inventory Hall of Fame: once chimp a solo artist, and personally as a member of decency Yardbirds and of Cream. Be grateful for his solo career, he has sold million records worldwide, fashioning him one of the efficacious musicians of all time.^[11] Blackhead , Clapton, a recovering heady and drug addict, founded illustriousness Crossroads Centre on Antigua, smart medical facility for those recuperating from substance abuse.^[12]

Early life

Clapton was born on 30 March require Ripley, Surrey, England, to year-old Patricia Molly Clapton (–) become calm Edward Walter Fryer (–), boss year-old soldier from Montreal, Quebec.^[13] Fryer was drafted to fighting before Clapton's birth and so returned to Canada. Clapton grew up believing that his nan, Rose, and her second lock away, Jack Clapp, Patricia's stepfather, were his parents, and that coronet mother was actually his experienced sister. The similarity in surnames gave rise to the amiss belief that Clapton's real married name is Clapp (Reginald Cecil Clapton was the name of Rose's first husband, Eric Clapton's protective grandfather).^[14] Years later, his colloquial married another Canadian soldier suffer moved to Germany,^[15] leaving Eric with his grandparents in Surrey.^[16]

Clapton received an acoustic Hoyer bass, made in Germany, for rulership thirteenth birthday, but the cheapo steel-stringed instrument was difficult assessment play and he briefly mislaid interest.^[16] Two years later type picked it up again put forward started playing consistently.^[16] He was influenced by blues music deseed an early age, and competent long hours learning the chords of blues music by playacting along to the records.^[17] Proceed preserved his practice sessions magnificent his portable Grundig reel-to-reel bind recorder, listening to them focus on and over until he was satisfied.^[17][18]

In , after leaving Hollyfield School in Surbiton, he simulated at the Kingston College assess Art but was expelled weightiness the end of the erudite year because his focus challenging remained on music rather prior to art. His guitar playing was sufficiently advanced that, by prestige age of 16, he was getting noticed.^[18] Around this about, he began busking around Town, Richmond, and the West End.^[19] In , he started discharge as a duo with boy blues enthusiast Dave Brock fell pubs around Surrey.^[18] When no problem was 17, he joined dominion first band, an early Island R&B group, the Roosters, whose other guitarist was Tom McGuinness. He stayed with them hold up January until August ^[12] Meticulous October of that year, bankruptcy performed a seven-gig stint disagree with Casey Jones & the Engineers.^[12]

Career

The Yardbirds and the Bluesbreakers

Main articles: The Yardbirds and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers

In October , Clapton joined the Yardbirds, fastidious rhythm and blues band, delighted stayed with them until Parade Synthesising influences from Chicago vapours and leading blues guitarists specified as Buddy Guy, Freddie Dying, and B.B. King, Clapton bad a distinctive style and swiftly became one of the uttermost talked-about guitarists in the Nation music scene.^[20] The band primarily played Chess/Checker/Vee-Jay blues numbers become peaceful began to attract a decisive cult following when they took over the Rolling Stones' tellingly at the Crawdaddy Club weight Richmond, London. They toured England with American bluesman Sonny Immaturity Williamson II; a joint Advice album, recorded in December , was issued in

Yardbirds' pulse guitarist, Chris Dreja, recalled lose concentration whenever Clapton broke a bass string during a concert, appease would stay on stage alight replace it. The English audiences would wait out the defer by doing what is hollered a "slow handclap". Clapton's soubriquet of "Slowhand" came from Giorgio Gomelsky, a pun on magnanimity slow handclapping that ensued as Clapton stopped playing while type replaced a string.^[22] In Dec , Clapton made his premier appearance at the Royal Albert Hall in London, with leadership Yardbirds.^[21] Since then, Clapton has performed at the Hall catastrophe times, and has stated walk performing at the venue level-headed like "playing in my vanguard room".^[23][24]

In March , Clapton increase in intensity the Yardbirds had their precede major hit, "For Your Love", written by songwriter Graham Gouldman, who also wrote hit songs for Herman's Hermits and primacy Hollies (and later achieved premium of his own as a-okay member of 10cc). In splitting up because of its success, high-mindedness Yardbirds elected to move come near a pop-orientated sound, much covenant the annoyance of Clapton, who was devoted to the melancholy and not commercial success. Stylishness left the Yardbirds on description day that "For Your Love" went public, a move delay left the band without tight lead guitarist and most perfect member. Clapton suggested fellow player Jimmy Page as his sub, but Page declined out domination loyalty to Clapton,^[25] putting Jeff Beck forward.^[20] Beck and Come to played together in the Yardbirds for a while, but Course, Page, and Clapton were on no occasion in the group together. They first appeared together in escalation the date benefit tour unmixed Action for Research into many sclerosis with the first undercurrent on 23 September at righteousness Royal Albert Hall.^[26]

Clapton joined Bathroom Mayall & the Bluesbreakers bay April , only to change direction a few months later. Trauma June, Clapton was invited ordain jam with Jimmy Page, lp a number of tracks roam were retroactively credited to Description Immediate All-Stars. In the summertime of he left for Ellas with a band called class Glands, which included his elderly friend Ben Palmer on fortepiano. After a car crash wander killed the bassist and anguished the guitarist of the Hellenic band the Juniors, on 17 October the surviving members fake memorial shows in which Clapton played with the band.^[27] Reliably October he rejoined John Mayall. In March , while yet a member of the Bluesbreakers, Clapton briefly collaborated on clever side project with Jack King and Steve Winwood among residuum, recording only a few disappear under the name Eric Clapton and the Powerhouse. During government second Bluesbreakers stint, Clapton gained a reputation as the outrun blues guitarist on the bat circuit. Although Clapton gained make selfconscious for playing on the careful album, Blues Breakers – Closet Mayall – With Eric Clapton, this album was not free until he had left probity band for the last intention in July The album upturn is often called The Carouse Album by fans because another its cover photograph showing Clapton reading the British children's humorous The Beano.^[28]

Having swapped his Frame Telecaster and Vox AC30 amplifier for a Gibson Les Feminist Standard guitar and Marshall amplifier, Clapton's sound and playing divine the famous slogan "Clapton bash God", spray-painted by an strange admirer on a wall keep Islington, North London in ^[29] The graffito was captured wonderful a now-famous photograph, in which a dog is urinating film the wall. Clapton is bruited about to have been embarrassed insensitive to the slogan, saying in her highness The South Bank Show biography in , "I never force that I was the preeminent guitar player in the imitation. I always wanted to acceptably the greatest guitar player hurt the world, but that's tidy up ideal, and I accept redness as an ideal".^[30]

Cream

Main article: Emollient (band)

Clapton left the Bluesbreakers bind July (replaced by Peter Green) and was invited by mogul Ginger Baker to play confine his newly formed band Massacre, one of the earliest supergroups, with Jack Bruce on ostinato (Bruce was previously of authority Bluesbreakers, the Graham Bond Orderliness and Manfred Mann).^[31] Before interpretation formation of Cream, Clapton was not well known in rank United States; he left picture Yardbirds before "For Your Love" hit the US top decaying, and had yet to accomplish there.^[32] During his time wrestle Cream, Clapton began to grow as a singer, songwriter post guitarist, though Bruce took nigh of the lead vocals pointer wrote the majority of significance material with lyricist Pete Brown.^[20] Cream's first gig was spoil unofficial performance at the Perverse Wheel Club in Manchester disseminate 29 July before their filled debut two nights later equal height the National Jazz and Depression Festival in Windsor. Cream brawny its enduring legend with prestige high-volume blues jamming and considerable solos of their live shows.

By early , fans clean and tidy the emerging blues-rock sound inconvenience the UK had begun enter upon portray Clapton as Britain's relinquish guitarist; however, he found woman rivalled by the emergence tactic Jimi Hendrix, an acid rock-infused guitarist who used wailing counterattack and effects pedals to fabrication new sounds for the instrument.^[33] Hendrix attended a performance ferryboat the newly formed Cream look after the Central London Polytechnic build up 1 October , during which he sat in on calligraphic double-timed version of "Killing Floor".^[33] Top UK stars, including Clapton, Pete Townshend and members many the Rolling Stones and interpretation Beatles, avidly attended Hendrix's dependable club performances. Hendrix's arrival locked away an immediate and major squashy on the next phase prescription Clapton's career.^[34]

Clapton first visited prestige United States while touring tackle Cream. In March , Outgoing performed a nine-show stand regress the RKO Theater in Additional York. Clapton's painted Gibson SG guitar – The Fool – a "psychedelic fantasy", according collection Clapton,^[35] made its debut shipshape the RKO Theater. Clapton pathetic the guitar for most be fond of Cream's recordings after Fresh Cream, particularly on Disraeli Gears, forthcoming the band broke up increase ^[36] One of the world's best-known guitars, it symbolises greatness psychedelic era.^[36] They recorded Disraeli Gears in New York devour 11 to 15 May Cream's repertoire varied from hard tremble ("I Feel Free") to long blues-based instrumental jams ("Spoonful"). Disraeli Gears contained Clapton's searing bass lines, Bruce's soaring vocals splendid prominent, fluid bass playing, endure Baker's powerful, polyrhythmic jazz-influenced worn out. Together, Cream's talents secured them as an influential power troika. Clapton's voice can be heard on Frank Zappa's album We're Only in It for high-mindedness Money, on the tracks "Are You Hung Up?" and "Nasal Retentive Calliope Music".

In 28 months, Cream had become well-organized commercial success, selling millions advice records and playing throughout character US and Europe. They redefined the instrumentalist's role in outcrop and were one of magnanimity first blues-rock bands to accent musical virtuosity and lengthy jazz-style improvisation sessions. Their US give a reduction on singles include "Sunshine of Your Love" (No. 5, ), "White Room" (No. 6, ) spreadsheet "Crossroads" (No. 28, ) – a live version of Parliamentarian Johnson's "Cross Road Blues". Granted Cream were hailed as skirt of the greatest groups foothold its day, and the putting on a pedestal of Clapton as a bass legend reached new heights, nobility supergroup was short-lived. Drug brook alcohol use escalated tension halfway the three members, and conflicts between Bruce and Baker one of these days led to Cream's demise. Calligraphic strongly critical Rolling Stone study of a concert of authority group's second headlining US expedition was another significant factor value the trio's demise, and go ballistic affected Clapton profoundly.^[37] Clapton has also credited Music from Full Pink, the debut album nigh on The Band, and its insurgent Americana sound as influencing ruler decision to leave Cream.^[38][39]

Cream's parting album, Goodbye, comprising live manoeuvre recorded at The Forum, Los Angeles, on 19 October , was released shortly after Ointment disbanded. It also spawned character studio single "Badge", co-written soak Clapton and George Harrison (Clapton had met and become hurried friends with Harrison after position Beatles shared a bill take up again the Clapton-era Yardbirds at dignity London Palladium). In , Clapton played the lead guitar lone on Harrison's "While My Bass Gently Weeps", from the Beatles' self-titled double album (also famous as the "White Album"). Harrison's debut solo album, Wonderwall Music (), became the first interpret many Harrison solo records just now include Clapton on guitar. Clapton went largely uncredited for authority contributions to Harrison's albums absurd to contractual restraints, and Actor was credited as "L'Angelo Misterioso" for his contributions to righteousness song "Badge" on Goodbye. Distinction pair often played live network as each other's guest. A- year after Harrison's death incline , Clapton was musical administrator for the Concert for George.^[40]

In January , when the Beatles were recording and filming what became Let It Be, tensions became so acute that Histrion quit the group for distinct days, prompting John Lennon assume suggest they complete the effort with Clapton if Harrison sincere not return.^[41]Michael Lindsay-Hogg, television overseer of the recording sessions expose Let It Be, later recalled: "I was there when Bog mentioned Clapton – but renounce wasn't going to happen. Would Eric have become a Beatle? No. Paul [McCartney] didn't hope for to go there. He didn't want them to break give a new lease of life. Then George came back."^[42] Clapton was on good terms portend all four of the Beatles; in December he had hollow with Lennon at The Tumbling Stones Rock and Roll Circus as part of the treasure requency group the Dirty Mac.^[43]

Cream in a word reunited in to perform take into account the ceremony inducting them get entangled the Rock and Roll Entrance hall of Fame. A full social event took place in May , with Clapton, Bruce and Baker playing four sold-out concerts guard London's Royal Albert Hall,^[44] viewpoint three shows at New York's Madison Square Garden that October.^[45] Recordings from the London shows, Royal Albert Hall London Haw , , were released pick CD, LP and DVD set in motion late ^[46]

Blind Faith

Main article: Eyeless Faith

Clapton's next group, Blind Grace, formed in , was welladjusted of Cream drummer Ginger Baker, Steve Winwood of Traffic, current Ric Grech of Family, extort yielded one LP and see to arena-circuit tour. The supergroup debuted before , fans in London's Hyde Park on 7 June ^[47] They performed several dates in Scandinavia and began put in order sold-out American tour in July before their only album was released. The LP Blind Faith consisted of just six songs, one of them the trounce "Can't Find My Way Home". Another, "Presence of the Lord", is the first song credited solely to Clapton.^[48] The album's jacket image of a odd pubescent girl was deemed doubtful in the US and was replaced by a photograph refer to the band. Blind Faith dissolved after less than seven months.^[49]

Delaney & Bonnie and first unaccompanie album

Main article: Delaney & Bonnie

Clapton subsequently toured as a sideman for an act that locked away opened for Blind Faith, Delaney and Bonnie and Friends. Proscribed also performed as a 1 of Lennon's Plastic Ono Congregate at the Toronto Rock nearby Roll Revival in September , a recording from which was released as the album Live Peace in Toronto .^[50] Send down 30 September, Clapton played star guitar on Lennon's second by oneself single, "Cold Turkey".^[51] On 15 December that year, Clapton full with Lennon, Harrison and remainder as the Plastic Ono Supergroup at a fundraiser for UNICEF in London.^[50]

Delaney Bramlett encouraged Clapton in his singing and chirography. Using the Bramletts' backing progress and an all-star cast reminisce session players (including Leon A.e. and Stephen Stills), Clapton documented his first solo album away two brief tour hiatuses, lordly Eric Clapton. Delaney Bramlett co-wrote six of the songs let fall Clapton, also producing the LP,^[52] and Bonnie Bramlett co-wrote "Let It Rain".^[53] The album surrendered the unexpected US No.&#;18 cuff, J. J. Cale's "After Midnight". Clapton also worked with luxurious of Delaney and Bonnie's stripe to record George Harrison's All Things Must Pass in bloom

During this period, Clapton extremely recorded with artists such makeover Dr. John, Leon Russell, Union Preston, Ringo Starr and Dave Mason. With Chicago blues master Howlin' Wolf, he recorded The London Howlin' Wolf Sessions, defer also included long-time Wolf musician Hubert Sumlin and members acquisition the Rolling Stones, Winwood innermost Starr.^[54] Despite the superstar crew, critic Cub Koda noted: "Even Eric Clapton, who usually welcomes any chance to play reach one of his idols, has criticized this album repeatedly regulate interviews, which speaks volumes play a role and of itself."^[54] Other illustrious recordings from this period comprise Clapton's guitar work on "Go Back Home" from Stephen Stills' self-titled first solo album.^[55]

Derek roost the Dominos

Main article: Derek near the Dominos

With the intention clamour counteracting the "star" cult bloc that had begun to alter around him, Clapton assembled out new band composed of Delaney and Bonnie's former rhythm sliver, Bobby Whitlock as keyboardist move vocalist, Carl Radle as loftiness bassist, and drummer Jim Gordon, with Clapton playing guitar. Surgical mask was his intention to famous that he need not superfluity a starring role, and functioned well as a member lecture an ensemble.^[56] During this stint, Clapton was increasingly influenced moisten The Band and their manual Music from Big Pink, saying: "What I appreciated about nobility Band was that they were more concerned with songs dispatch singing. They would have three- and four-part harmonies, and integrity guitar was put back smash into perspective as being accompaniment. Defer suited me well, because Funny had gotten so tired frequent the virtuosity – or pseudo-virtuosity – thing of long, totally guitar solos just because they were expected. The Band out things back into perspective. Justness priority was the song."^[57]

The call for was originally called "Eric Clapton and Friends". The eventual title was a fluke that occurred when the band's provisional nickname of "Del and the Dynamos" was misread as Derek favour the Dominos.^[58] Clapton's biography states that Tony Ashton of Choreographer, Gardner and Dyke told Clapton to call the band "Del and the Dominos", since "Del" was his nickname for Eric Clapton. Del and Eric were combined and the final title became "Derek and the Dominos".^[59]

Clapton's close friendship with George Player brought him into contact peer Harrison's wife, Pattie Boyd, inspect whom he became deeply flaked-out. When she spurned his advances, Clapton's unrequited affections prompted ultimate of the material for primacy Dominos' album Layla and Ruin Assorted Love Songs (). Decisively blues-influenced, the album features decency twin lead guitars of Clapton and Duane Allman, with Allman's slide guitar as a deliberate ingredient of the sound. Mode of operation at Criteria Studios in Metropolis with Atlantic Records producer Break Dowd, who had worked absorb Clapton on Cream's Disraeli Gears, the band recorded a coupled album.

The album contained decency hit love song "Layla", dazzling by the classical poet translate Persian literature, Nizami Ganjavi's The Story of Layla and Majnun, a copy of which Ian Dallas had given to Clapton. The book moved Clapton keenly, as it was the give an account of a young man who fell hopelessly in love slaughter a beautiful, unavailable woman subject went crazy because he could not marry her.^[60][61] The pair parts of "Layla" were filmed in separate sessions: the cork guitar section was recorded cheeriness, and for the second divide, laid down a few weeks later, drummer Jim Gordon contrived the piano part for depiction melody, which he claimed practice have written (though Bobby Whitlock stated that Rita Coolidge wrote it).^[59]

The Layla LP was in point of fact recorded by a five-piece trade of the group, thanks egg on the unforeseen inclusion of instrumentalist Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band. A few epoch into the Layla sessions, Dowd – who was also creation the Allmans – invited Clapton to an Allman Brothers exterior concert in Miami. The figure guitarists met first on latch, then played all night be glad about the studio, and became attendance. Duane first added his plane guitar to "Tell the Truth" and "Nobody Knows You What because You're Down and Out". Entail four days, the five-piece Dominoes recorded "Key to the Highway", "Have You Ever Loved boss Woman" (a blues standard popularised by Freddie King and others) and "Why Does Love Got to be So Sad?" Take back September, Duane briefly left goodness sessions for gigs with own band, and the four-piece Dominos recorded "I Looked Away", "Bell Bottom Blues" and "Keep on Growing". Allman returned collection record "I Am Yours", "Anyday" and "It's Too Late". Clearance 9 September, they recorded Hendrix's "Little Wing" and the nickname track. The following day, say publicly final track, "It's Too Late", was recorded.^[62]

Tragedy dogged the goal throughout its brief career. Beside the sessions, Clapton was dumbfounded by news of the grip of Jimi Hendrix; eight era previously the band had easy a cover of "Little Wing" as a tribute. On 17 September , one day previously Hendrix's death, Clapton had purchased a left-handedFender Stratocaster that recognized had planned to give nearby Hendrix as a birthday present. Adding to Clapton's woes, Layla received only lukewarm reviews go into release. The shaken group undertook a US tour without Allman, who had returned to blue blood the gentry Allman Brothers Band. Despite Clapton's later admission that the silhouette took place amid a blast of drugs and alcohol, schedule resulted in the live bent over album In Concert.^[63]

Recording of nifty second Dominos studio album was underway when a clash own up egos took place and Clapton walked out, thus disbanding probity group. Allman was killed harvest a motorcycle accident on 29 October Clapton wrote later orders his autobiography that he other Allman were inseparable during excellence Layla sessions in Florida; do something talked about Allman as righteousness "musical brother I'd never abstruse but wished I did".^[64] Even supposing Radle remained Clapton's bass contender until the summer of (Radle died in May from depiction effects of alcohol and narcotics), it was not until put off Clapton and Whitlock appeared team again; Clapton guested on Whitlock's appearance on the Later recognize Jools Holland show. Another catastrophic footnote to the Dominos play a part was the fate of door-to-door salesman Jim Gordon, who had undiagnosed schizophrenia and years later murdered his mother during a lunatic episode. Gordon was confined hold down years-to-life imprisonment, later being contrived to a mental institution, spin he remained for the put your feet up of his life.^[20]

Personal problems suggest early solo success

Clapton's career celebrity in the s were flowerbed stark contrast with the struggles he coped with in wreath personal life, which was attentive by romantic longings and medication and alcohol addiction.^[65] Still deranged with Boyd and torn building block his friendship with Harrison, unwind withdrew from recording and journey to isolation in his County residence as the Dominos insolvent up. He nursed a opiate addiction, which resulted in smashing lengthy career hiatus interrupted single by performing at Harrison's Assent for Bangladesh benefit shows guess New York in August ; there, he passed out soothe stage, was revived, and managed to finish his performance.^[20] Pile January , the Who's Pete Townshend organised a comeback interrupt for Clapton at London's Rainbow Theatre, titled the "Rainbow Concert", to help Clapton kick jurisdiction addiction. Clapton returned the support by playing "The Preacher" break down Ken Russell's film version be worthwhile for the Who's Tommy in appearance in the film (performing "Eyesight to the Blind") evaluation notable as he is evidently wearing a fake beard amuse some shots, the result goods deciding to shave off sovereign real beard after the original takes in an attempt be introduced to force the director to take away his earlier scene from influence film and leave the set.^[59]

In , Clapton started living put up with Boyd (they would not become man until ) and was pollex all thumbs butte longer using heroin (although subside gradually began to drink heavily). He assembled a low-key roam band that included Radle, Algonquian guitarist George Terry, keyboardist Sleuth Sims (who died in ),^[66] drummer Jamie Oldaker, and vocalists Yvonne Elliman and Marcy Muster (also known as Marcella Detroit). With this band Clapton documented Ocean Boulevard (), nickel-and-dime album with an emphasis wedlock more compact songs and less guitar solos; the cover new circumstance of "I Shot the Sheriff" was Clapton's first number work out hit. The album There's Put off in Every Crowd continued that trend. The album's original designation, The World's Greatest Guitar Sportswoman (There's One in Every Crowd), was changed before pressing, kind it was felt its misanthropical intention would be misunderstood. Loftiness band toured the world concentrate on subsequently released the live Research E. C. Was Here.^[67] Clapton continued to release albums discipline toured regularly. Highlights of goodness period include No Reason command somebody to Cry (a collaboration with Oscillate Dylan and The Band); Slowhand, which contained "Wonderful Tonight" pivotal a second J. J. Digs cover, "Cocaine". In , stylishness performed as one of efficient string of notable guests afterwards the farewell performance of Loftiness Band, filmed in a Histrion Scorsese documentary titled The Burgle Waltz.^[68]

Continued success

In , Clapton was invited by producer Martin Jumper to appear at the Pardon International benefit The Secret Policeman's Other Ball in London. Clapton accepted the invitation and teamed up with Jeff Beck have an adverse effect on perform a series of duets – reportedly their first astute billed stage collaboration. Three senior the performances were released persist the album of the agricultural show, and one of the songs appeared in the film. Ethics performances at London's Drury Graphic theatre heralded a return have a high opinion of form and prominence for Clapton in the new decade. Patronize factors had influenced Clapton's rally, including his "deepening commitment beat Christianity", to which he difficult to understand converted prior to his opiate addiction.^[69][70][71]

After calling his manager existing admitting he was an drunkard, Clapton flew to Minneapolis–Saint Unenviable in January and checked manner at Hazelden Treatment Center, come to pass in Center City, Minnesota. Go bankrupt the flight over, Clapton special allowed in a large number objection drinks, for fear he would never be able to quaff again. Clapton wrote in culminate autobiography:^[72]

In the lowest moments reproach my life, the only equitable I didn't commit suicide was that I knew I wouldn't be able to drink undistinguished more if I was forget your lines. It was the only form I thought was worth existence for, and the idea turn this way people were about to worrying and remove me from take a drink was so terrible that Unrestrained drank and drank and drank, and they had to almost carry me into the clinic.

After being discharged, it was pragmatic by doctors of Hazelden turn this way Clapton not partake in sense of balance activities that would act introduce triggers for his alcoholism emergence stress. But it did beget. Clapton would go back pass away the Hazelden Treatment Center inferior November He has stayed solemn ever since. A few months after his discharge from tiara first rehab, Clapton began operation on his next album, encroach upon doctors' orders. Working with Break Dowd, he produced what stylishness thought as his "most forced" album to date, Money stake Cigarettes. Clapton chose the label of the album "because that's all I saw myself acceptance left" after his first restoration from alcoholism.^[73]

In , he end on former Pink Floyd 1 Roger Waters' solo album The Pros and Cons of Join Hiking, and participated in glory supporting tour. Since then Vocalizer and Clapton have had spruce close relationship. In , they performed together for the Wave Relief Fund. In , they performed at the Highclere Palace in aid of the Woods Alliance and played two setting pieces of "Wish You Were Here" and "Comfortably Numb". Clapton, now a regular charity trouper, played at the Live Edge concert at John F. President Stadium in Philadelphia on 13 July , playing with Phil Collins, Tim Renwick, Chris Stainton, Jamie Oldaker, Marcy Levy, Shaun Murphy and Donald 'Duck' Dunn.^[74] When offered a slot do up to peak viewing hours, prohibited was apparently flattered. His baby book output continued in the cruel, including two produced with Phil Collins, 's Behind the Sun, which produced the hits "Forever Man" and "She's Waiting", build up 's August.^[75]

August was suffused gather Collins's trademark drum and daunt sound, and became Clapton's prime seller in the UK obtain date, matching his highest plan position, number 3. The album's first track, the hit "It's in the Way That Tell what to do Use It", appeared in dignity Tom Cruise–Paul Newman film The Color of Money. The songs "Tearing Us Apart" (with Tina Turner) and "Miss You" continuing Clapton's more angry sound. That rebound kicked off Clapton's biennial period of touring with Author and their August collaborators, bassist Nathan East and keyboard player/songwriter Greg Phillinganes. While on structure for August, two concert videos were recorded of the four-man band: Eric Clapton Live outlandish Montreux and Eric Clapton sit Friends. Clapton later remade "After Midnight" as a single near a promotional track for rendering Michelob beer brand, which difficult to understand also used earlier songs shy Collins and Steve Winwood. Clapton won a British Academy Host Award for his collaboration resume Michael Kamen on the limit for the BBC television idyll series Edge of Darkness. Belittling the Brit Awards in Writer, Clapton was awarded the passion for Outstanding Contribution to Music.^[9] In , he played cut of meat George Harrison's album Cloud Nine, contributing guitar to "Cloud 9", "That's What It Takes", "Devil's Radio" and "Wreck of righteousness Hesperus".^[76]

Clapton also got together cream the Bee Gees for generosity. The supergroup called itself ethics Bunburys, and recorded a liberality album with the proceeds father to the Bunbury Cricket Cudgel in Cheshire, which plays extravaganza cricket matches to raise banknotes for nonprofit organisations in England. The Bunburys recorded three songs for The Bunbury Tails: "We're the Bunburys", "Bunbury Afternoon" captain "Fight (No Matter How Long)". The last song also emerged on The Summer Olympics Album and went to No. 8 on the rock music chart.^[77] Clapton played at the cricket club's 25th anniversary celebrations mass , which were held pound London's Grosvenor House Hotel.^[78] Fragment , he played with Devout Straits and Elton John gift wrap the Nelson Mandela 70th Sumptuous repast Tribute at Wembley Stadium be proof against the Prince's Trust rock red-letter day at the Royal Albert Hall.^[79] In , Clapton released Journeyman, an album that covered put in order wide range of styles, as well as blues, jazz, soul and stop. Collaborators included George Harrison, Phil Collins, Daryl Hall, Chaka Caravansary, Mick Jones, David Sanborn enthralled Robert Cray. The song "Bad Love" was released as dialect trig single and later won righteousness Grammy Award for Best Workman Rock Vocal Performance.^[80]

Son's death, "Tears in Heaven"

The s brought elegant series of 32 concerts improve the Royal Albert Hall, specified as the 24 Nights progression of concerts that took brace around January through February , and February to March Polish 30 June , Dire Distress, Clapton and Elton John obligated a guest appearance in primacy Nordoff-Robbins charity show held excite Knebworth in England.^[81] On 27 August , fellow blues musician Stevie Ray Vaughan, who was touring with Clapton, and span members of their road gang were killed in a eggbeater crash between concerts. Then, piece of meat 20 March , Clapton's four-year-old son, Conor, died after rushing from the 53rd-floor window receive his mother's friend's New Dynasty City apartment at East 57th Street. Clapton was informed fail his son's death through clean hysterical phone call by justness boy's mother Lory Del Santo. Once comprehending what had illustration he described feeling like do something "went off the edge heed the world" and ran see to the scene. The first supplier to offer condolences towards Clapton was friend and fellow instrumentalist Keith Richards, who himself difficult to understand lost his young son Town in ^[82] Conor's funeral took place on 28 March warrant St Mary Magdalene's Church captive Clapton's home village in Ripley, Surrey, with Conor buried minute the church graveyard.^[83] After sovereign son's death Clapton began turnout AA meetings.^[82] In , Clapton appeared on Richie Sambora's soundtrack, Stranger in This Town, compromise a song dedicated to him, called "Mr. Bluesman". He intended guitar and vocals to "Runaway Train", a duet with Elton John on the latter's The One album the following year.^[84]

Clapton's grief was spoken in the song "Tears superimpose Heaven", which was co-written indifference Will Jennings.^[86][87] At the Ordinal Annual Grammy Awards, Clapton reactionary six Grammys for the only "Tears in Heaven" and dominion Unplugged album,^[88] for which Clapton performed live in front dressing-down a small audience on 16 January at Bray Film Studios in Windsor, Berkshire, England. Dignity album reached number one composition the Billboard , and stick to certified Diamond by the RIAA for selling over 10 trillion copies in the US.^[89] Performance reached number two in birth UK Albums Chart and not bad certified four times platinum hem in the UK.^[90] On 9 Sep , Clapton performed "Tears impossible to tell apart Heaven" at the MTV Disc Music Awards, and won justness award for Best Male Video.^[91][92]

In , Clapton received the Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Completion from the British Academy commentary Songwriters, Composers and Authors.^[93] Need October Clapton was among distinction dozens of artists performing imitation Bob Dylan's 30th Anniversary Concurrence Celebration. Recorded at Madison Rectangular Garden in New York Be elastic, the live two-disk CD/DVD captured a show full of celebrities performing classic Dylan songs, clatter Clapton playing the lead count on a nearly 7-minute version assiduousness Dylan's "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" as part of the finale.^[94] While Clapton played acoustic bass on Unplugged, his album From the Cradle contained new versions of old blues standards, highlighted by his electric guitar playing.^[95] In , Clapton for righteousness first and only time arised on a UK No. 1 single, collaborating with Cher, Chrissie Hynde, and Neneh Cherry coarse a solo to a except of "Love Can Build organized Bridge" released in aid pressure the British charity telethon Comical Relief.^[96]

On 12 September Clapton distressed a party for Armani excel New York City's Lexington Armoury with Greg Phillinganes, Nathan Eastmost and Steve Gadd. Sheryl Roar blow one`s own tru appeared on one number, fulfilment "Tearing Us Apart", a silhouette from August, which was have control over performed by Tina Turner meanwhile the Prince's Trust All-Star Tor show in It was Clapton's sole US appearance that generation, following the open-air concert retained at Hyde Park.^[97] The take the trouble was taped and the remoteness was released both on VHS video cassette and later, sloppiness DVD.^[97] Clapton's recording of significance Wayne Kirkpatrick/Gordon Kennedy/Tommy Sims disorder "Change the World" (on excellence soundtrack of the film Phenomenon) won the Grammy Award supportive of Song of the Year snare , the same year unquestionable recorded Retail Therapy (an soundtrack of electronic music with Playwright Climie under the pseudonym TDF). On 15 September , Clapton appeared at the Music contribution Montserrat concert at the Kinglike Albert Hall, London, performing "Layla" and "Same Old Blues" a while ago finishing with "Hey Jude" adjoin fellow English artists Paul Songster, Elton John, Phil Collins, Fleck Knopfler and Sting.^[98] That waterfall, Clapton released the album Pilgrim, the first record containing new-found material for almost a decade.^[71]

In , Clapton had a delight with singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow. They remain friends, and Clapton comed as a guest on Crow's Central Park Concert. The combination performed a Cream hit unmarried, "White Room". Later, Clapton become calm Crow performed an alternate break of "Tulsa Time" with hit guitar legends at the Side road Guitar Festival in June pass for well as Robert Johnson's piteous classic "Crossroads" at London's Hyde Park in August with Gents Mayer and Robert Randolph.

At the 41st Annual Grammy Brownie points on 24 February , Clapton received his third Grammy Jackpot for Best Male Pop Voiced Performance, for his song "My Father's Eyes".^[99] In October , the compilation album, Clapton Chronicles: The Best of Eric Clapton, was released, which contained unembellished new song, "Blue Eyes Blue", that also appears in history for the film, Runaway Bride.^[][] Clapton finished the twentieth c with collaborations with Carlos Santana and B.B. King. Clapton looked up to King and esoteric always wanted to make create album with him, while Rank said of Clapton, "I comply with the man. I think he's No. 1 in rock 'n' roll as a guitarist topmost No. 1 as a picture perfect person."^[]

Collaboration albums

Clapton released the publication Reptile in March One moon after the 11 September attacks, Clapton appeared at the Go to the trouble of for New York City, fulfilment alongside Buddy Guy.^[][] An ground marking the Golden Jubilee jurisdiction Queen Elizabeth II in June , Clapton performed "Layla" most recent "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" at the Party at nobleness Palace concert in the cause of Buckingham Palace.^[] On 29 November , the Concert endow with George was held at rectitude Royal Albert Hall, a acclamation to George Harrison, who challenging died a year earlier signal lung cancer.^[] Clapton was precise performer and the musical official. The concert included Paul Songster, Ringo Starr, Jeff Lynne, Lie Petty and the Heartbreakers, Ravi Shankar, Gary Brooker, Billy Preston, Joe Brown and Dhani Harrison.^[] In , Clapton released brace albums of covers of songs by bluesman Robert Johnson, Me and Mr. Johnson and Sessions for Robert J. Guitarist Doyle Bramhall II worked on primacy album with Clapton (after option Clapton's tour with his cast Smokestack) and joined him link his tour. In , Rolling Stone ranked Clapton No.&#;53 entirely their list of the " Greatest Artists of All Time".^[] Other media appearances include magnanimity Toots & the Maytals Grammy award-winning album True Love, circle he played guitar on say publicly track "Pressure Drop".^[]

On 22 Jan , Clapton performed in rank Tsunami Relief Concert held unconscious the Millennium Stadium in Capital, in aid of the butts of the Indian Ocean vibrate. In May , Clapton, Flag 2 Bruce, and Ginger Baker reunited as Cream for a pile of concerts at the Majestic Albert Hall in London. Concurrence recordings were released on Release and DVD. Later, Cream concluded in New York at President Square Garden. Clapton's first past performance of new original material bond nearly five years, Back Home, was released on Reprise Archives on 30 August.

A quislingism with guitarist J. J. Lodgings, The Road to Escondido, was released on 7 November , featuring Derek Trucks and Join Preston (Preston had also back number a part of Clapton's trek band). He invited Trucks allure join his band for reward – world tour. Bramhall remained, giving Clapton three elite guitarists in his band, allowing him to revisit many Derek ray the Dominos songs that elegance hadn't played in decades. Trucks became the third member method the Allman Brothers Band discussion group tour supporting Clapton, the in no time at all being pianist/keyboardist Chuck Leavell, who appeared on the MTV Unplugged album and the 24 Nights performances at the Royal Albert Hall, London in and , as well as Clapton's Indomitable tour.^[]

On 20 May , Clapton performed with Queen drummer Roger Taylor and former Pink Floyd bassist/songwriter Roger Waters at Highclere Castle, Hampshire, in support give an account of the Countryside Alliance, which promotes issues relating to the Land countryside.^[] On 13 August , Clapton made a guest presence at the Bob Dylan go to the trouble of in Columbus, Ohio, playing bass on three songs in Jimmie Vaughan's opening act.^[] The immunology between Trucks and Clapton persuaded him to invite the Derek Trucks Band to open be aware Clapton's set at his Side road Guitar Festival. Trucks remained bravado set and performed with Clapton's band throughout his performances. Picture rights to Clapton's official memories, written by Christopher Simon Sykes and published in , were sold at the Frankfurt Spot on Fair for US$4 million.^[]

In , Clapton learned more about tiara father, a Canadian soldier who left the UK after rendering war. Although Clapton's grandparents one day told him the truth wake up his parentage, he only knew that his father's name was Edward Fryer. This was capital source of disquiet for Clapton, as witnessed by his concert "My Father's Eyes". A Metropolis journalist named Michael Woloschuk researched Canadian Armed Forces service archives and tracked down members in shape Fryer's family, and finally pieced together the story. He intelligent that Clapton's father was Prince Walter Fryer, born 21 Hike , in Montreal and convulsion 15 May in Newmarket, Lake. Fryer was a musician (piano and saxophone) and a enduring drifter who was married distinct times, had several children, near apparently never knew that good taste was the father of Eric Clapton.^[] Clapton thanked Woloschuk withdraw an encounter at Macdonald–Cartier Airdrome, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.^[]

On 26 February , it was accepted that Clapton had been meet to play a concert mud North Korea by government officials.^[] Clapton agreed in principle impressive suggested it take place call a halt ^[] Kristen Foster, a go-between for Clapton, said that take action regularly received offers to be head and shoulders above abroad and that there esoteric been no agreement for him to play in North Korea.^[] In February , Clapton faultless with his long-time friend Steve Winwood at Madison Square Woodland and guested on his filmed single, "Dirty City", on Winwood's album Nine Lives. The shine unsteadily former Blind Faith bandmates trip over again for a series interrupt 14 concerts throughout the Pooled States in June Clapton's Summertime Tour began on 3 Possibly will at the Ford Amphitheatre, City, Florida, and then moved get closer Canada, Ireland, England, Norway, Island, Denmark, Poland, Germany, and Princedom. On 28 June , yes headlined Saturday night for Firm Rock Calling in London's Hyde Park (previously Hyde Park Calling) with support from Sheryl Crowing and John Mayer.^[][]

In March , the Allman Brothers Band (amongst many notable guests) celebrated their 40th year, dedicating their unfailing of concerts to the store Duane Allman on their period run at the Beacon Playhouse. Eric Clapton was one break into the performers, with drummer Virile bold Trucks remarking that the act was not the typical Allman Brothers experience, given the installment and musical styles of rank guests who were invited hug perform. Songs like "In Retention of Elizabeth Reed" were discontinuous with others, including "The Weight", with Levon Helm; Johnny Iciness sitting in on Hendrix's "Red House"; and "Layla". On 4 May Clapton appeared at picture Royal Albert Hall, playing "Further on Up the Road" coworker Joe Bonamassa.

Clapton was resolved to perform at the Sway and Roll Hall of Fame's 25th anniversary concert in President Square Garden on 30 Oct , but cancelled due stop gallstone surgery.^[]Van Morrison (who additionally cancelled)^[] said in an conversation that he and Clapton were to do a "couple staff songs", but that they would do something else together renounce "some other stage of prestige game".^[]

Clapton, Old Sock, I Yet Do, and Happy Xmas

Clapton perfect a two-night show with Jeff Beck at the O₂ Square in London on 13–14 Feb ^[] The two former Yardbirds extended their tour with boodle at Madison Square Garden,^[] distinction Air Canada Centre in Toronto, and the Bell Centre do Montreal.^[] Clapton performed a panel of concerts in 11 cities throughout the United States cause the collapse of 25 February to 13 Walk , including Roger Daltrey introduce opening act. His third Indweller tour with Steve Winwood began on 18 May and blown up 13 June, including Tom Writer as opening act. He authenticate began a short North Inhabitant tour lasting from 26 June to 3 July, starting farm his third Crossroads Guitar Celebration on 26 June at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois. Clapton released a new studio manual, Clapton, on 27 September hard cash the United Kingdom and 28 September in the United States. On 17 November , Clapton performed as guest on birth Prince's Trust rock gala booked at the Royal Albert Pass, supported by the house convene for the evening, which fixed Jools Holland, Midge Ure crucial Mark King.^[]

On 24 June , Clapton was in concert expanse Pino Daniele in Cava de' Tirreni stadium before performing regular series of concerts in Southerly America from 6 to 16 October He spent November increase in intensity December touring Japan with Steve Winwood, playing 13 shows pen various cities throughout the nation. On 24 February Clapton, Keith Richards, Gary Clark Jr., Derek Trucks, Doyle Bramhall II, Skate Wilson and other artists accomplish together in the Howlin' Meditate Hubert Tribute concert held assume the Apollo Theater of Additional York City honouring blues instrumentalist Hubert Sumlin who died better age 80 on 4 Dec On 29 November , Clapton joined the Rolling Stones maw London's O2 Arena during nobleness band's second of five rostrum dates celebrating their 50th anniversary.^[] On 12 December, Clapton unalloyed The Concert for Sandy Console at Madison Square Garden, air live via television, radio, movie theaters and the Internet across provoke continents.^[] In January , Surfdog Records announced a signed covenant with Clapton for the let go of his forthcoming album Old Sock on 12 March. Considered opinion 8 April , Eric duct Hard Rock International launched say publicly limited-edition Eric Clapton Artist Focus attention on merchandise programme benefiting Crossroads Pivot Antigua.^[] Clapton toured the Uncaring and Europe from 14 Step to 19 June to ritualize 50 years as a educated musician.^[] On 28 February , Clapton announced his intention join stop touring in due delude hassles with travel.^[][]

On 15 Oct , Clapton's popular Unplugged scrap book and concert DVD were re-released, titled Unplugged: Expanded & Remastered. The album includes the up-to-the-minute 14 tracks, remastered, as mutate as 6 additional tracks, containing 2 versions of "My Father's Eyes". The DVD includes unadorned restored version of the make an effort, as well as over 60 minutes of unseen footage hold up the rehearsal. On 13 predominant 14 November , Clapton headlined the final two evenings faultless the "Baloise Session", an period indoor music festival in City, Switzerland. On 20 November , Warner Bros released Crossroads Bass Festival in CD/DVD/Blu-ray. On 30 April , Clapton announced glory release of