Eric Clapton

NAME Eric Patrick Clapton

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Eric Clapton is a legendary English rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is often referred to as "Slowhand" and is considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time.

The nickname "Slowhand" doesn’t refer to Clapton’s playing style but rather to his guitar strings frequently breaking on stage. As he would change them mid-performance, audiences would break into slow handclaps, leading the Yardbirds’ manager, Giorgio Gomelsky, to dub him “Slowhand.”

BIRTH Eric Clapton was born on March 30, 1945, in Ripley, Surrey, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Eric Clapton was the illegitimate son of Edward Walter Fryer, a Canadian soldier, and Patricia Molly Clapton, who was just 16 years old when he was born. Fryer returned to Canada before Clapton was born. Clapton was raised by his maternal grandparents, Rose and Jack Clapp, and believed for much of his childhood that his mother was his sister.

CHILDHOOD Clapton grew up in a small, tight-knit community in Ripley. He learned of his true parentage as a teenager, which had a profound emotional impact on him. His childhood was marked by his deepening interest in music, particularly the blues, which would shape his career.

EDUCATION Clapton attended Kingston College of Art but was expelled for focusing more on playing the guitar than his studies. His obsession with blues music often caused him to play during classes, which led to his removal from the school.

CAREER RECORD Clapton began his career as a session guitarist, playing on hits by artists such as the Yardbirds, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, and Cream.

Clapton gained international fame as the lead guitarist of the power trio Cream. The band released several successful albums and singles, including "Sunshine of Your Love" and "White Room."

After Cream disbanded, he formed Derek and the Dominos, where he co-wrote the iconic "Layla." He is known for his lengthy solo career, producing timeless hits such as "Tears in Heaven," "Wonderful Tonight," and "Lay Down Sally."

APPEARANCE In his youth, Clapton was known for his shaggy hair, and casual rock attire, and often sported sunglasses. His iconic look evolved over time, but he always kept a stylish, somewhat understated appearance with a laid-back but confident demeanor.

Eric Clapton in Barcelona, 1974

FASHION Clapton’s style is elegant yet simple. He became known for wearing suits and classic menswear, especially in later years, though in his early career he sported typical rock and blues outfits such as jeans, leather jackets, and button-up shirts.

CHARACTER Clapton is often described as introspective and reserved, though fiercely passionate about his music. He has a reputation for being somewhat enigmatic, influenced by his personal struggles and life experiences.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Eric Clapton is known to have a dry, self-deprecating sense of humor. Despite his quiet persona, those close to him often describe him as witty and playful. For instance, when asked about his instrument of choice during a conversation with a teacher who didn't recognize him, Clapton responded to the question "What instrument do you play?" with a long pause before simply saying "Guitar.

RELATIONSHIPS Eric Clapton has had a complex romantic history with multiple relationships and two marriages:

Clapton married Pattie Boyd on March 27, 1979 in Tucson, Arizona. Boyd was previously married to Clapton's friend George Harrison from 1966 to 1977.  Clapton first declared his love for her on the 1970 Derek and the Dominos album Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs. Clapton's famous songs "Layla" and "Wonderful Tonight" were inspired by Boyd. Their marriage lasted until 1988 when they divorced.

Despite Clapton's affair with Harrison's wife, Pattie Boyd, in the 1970s, the two musicians maintained a surprisingly amicable friendship. Clapton even played at Harrison’s wedding to his second wife, Olivia, highlighting their mutual respect and connection beyond romantic entanglements.

In 1998, 53-year-old Eric Clapton met 22-year-old Melia McEnery when she approached him for an autograph at a party in Los Angeles hosted by Giorgio Armani, where she worked as an administrative assistant. 

On January 1, 2002, during the christening of their 6-month daughter, Julie Rose, at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Ripley, Clapton and McEnery surprised their guests by getting married.

They have three daughters together: Julie Rose, Ella May, and Sophie Belle2

Clapton was engaged to Alice Ormsby-Gore from 1969-1973. He has had relationships with several celebrities including Sheryl Crow (1998-2000), Naomi Campbell (1993), and Carla Bruni (1989-1991)4

Clapton fathered a daughter, Ruth, in 1985 with Yvonne Kelly while both were married to other people2

He had a son, Conor, in 1986 with Italian model Lory Del Santo. Tragically, Conor died in 1991 at age 4 after falling from a window. The tragedy inspired his song "Tears in Heaven," 

Clapton has credited his current wife Melia with helping change his womanizing ways and supporting him through health issues and his work with addiction recovery. 

MONEY AND FAME Clapton's fame has led to considerable wealth. He has sold millions of records worldwide, won numerous awards, and performed in sold-out arenas for decades. Clapton has also been involved in philanthropy, notably founding the Crossroads Centre in Antigua, a rehabilitation facility for substance abuse treatment.

FOOD AND DRINK Clapton is known to be a fan of British cuisine. He is also a wine enthusiast.

Clapton struggled with alcohol addiction during parts of his life but has since become sober. He has publicly shared his experiences with addiction recovery and now leads a more health-conscious lifestyle.

MUSIC AND ARTS Now, let's be honest, who hasn't heard of Eric Clapton? The guy's a legend. He's got that unmistakable guitar sound, a bluesy wail that's as recognizable as a siren's song. He's been around forever, playing in bands like Cream and the Yardbirds, and he's got a mountain of hits to his name.

Clapton's a bit of a chameleon, really. He can go from soulful blues to rocking out like there's no tomorrow. He's covered Bob Marley, for crying out loud, and he's even dabbled in country. The man's got range.

Clapton’s passion for the guitar started after he saw the 1961 movie The Girl Can’t Help It, which featured rock and roll music. The film introduced him to guitar-driven songs, which left a lasting impact, inspiring him to pursue the instrument obsessively.

Of course, life hasn't always been a bed of roses for Clapton. He's battled addiction and tragedy, but he's come out the other side stronger. His song "Tears in Heaven" is a heart-wrenching testament to his struggles and his resilience.

So, next time you hear Clapton's guitar, take a moment to appreciate the journey he's been on. It's a story of talent, triumph, and a whole lot of soul.

Eric Clapton's musical contributions are immense. He is regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, with a career spanning rock, blues, and pop. His deep love for blues music, especially that of B.B. King and Robert Johnson, is evident in his work.

Clapton has been known to have an encyclopedic knowledge of blues history. His admiration extends to promoting lesser-known blues artists and championing venues that support blues music, such as the Crossroads Guitar Festival, which he founded to keep the blues genre thriving.

LITERATURE Clapton published his autobiography in 2007, sharing personal stories about his life, struggles, and musical journey.

NATURE Clapton has a deep connection to nature. He enjoys fly-fishing and has taken several trips for this purpose. In 2016, while fishing in Iceland, he landed a record-breaking 28-pound salmon, which he promptly released back into the river.

PETS Clapton has had a lifelong love for animals, particularly dogs. They include:

Jeep: This dog was featured on the cover of Clapton's album There's One In Every Crowd. Jeep was also mentioned in a tour book from that era.

Willow: An 8-year-old Weimaraner that Clapton owned in 1981. There's a photograph of Clapton with Willow at his Spanish-style home in Surrey, taken on January 23, 1981.

Sock, Billy, and Treacle are featured on the From The Cradle CD and in the accompanying booklet. These dogs belonged to one of the men working with Eric at Olympic Studios.

While Clapton likes cats and has been photographed with them, he has never included them in his album artwork. However, there's a photo of Clapton with one of his cats in the 1999 Christie's Guitar Auction Catalog.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Eric Clapton has several hobbies and sports interests that he pursues outside of his music career. 

He has been an avid fly fisherman since the 1980s and has been featured in BBC television sports programs on fly fishing. Clapton has a fishing rod named after him called the "Slowhand Special" Clapton once told Vanity Fair that he would like to die fishing.

Clapton is a fan of sports, particularly cricket and football. He was ntroduced to cricket by David English in the 1980s and has participated in charity cricket matches, including with the Bunbury charity cricket team. In the late 1970s, Clapton was an enthusiastic supporter of West Bromwich Albion Football Club1.

He is also a collector of sports cars and custom American hot-rods

SCIENCE AND MATHS Clapton has expressed an interest in science and technology. He has invested in various technology companies.

Clapton's artistry and creativity are clear indicators of his analytical and problem-solving abilities, especially when it comes to composing complex guitar riffs and solos.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Clapton has expressed spiritual interests, particularly after his struggles with addiction and the tragic loss of his son Conor in 1991, and has studied various philosophical and religious texts. His spirituality is evident in songs like "Tears in Heaven," which touches on themes of grief and redemption.

POLITICS Clapton has been politically outspoken at times, but his political views have varied throughout his career. While he supported some controversial causes earlier in his life, he later apologized for those views, showing a willingness to evolve.

Clapton was vocal in his criticism of COVID-19 vaccines and lockdown measures. He released an anti-lockdown single called "Stand and Deliver" with Van Morrison in 20201.

SCANDAL Clapton has faced public scandals, most notably related to his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction in the 1970s and early 1980s. Additionally, his comments during the 1976 Birmingham concert, which many saw as xenophobic, led to significant criticism and soul-searching.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Clapton has had several health issues, particularly nerve damage in his hands and back, which he has publicly discussed. Despite these challenges, he continues to perform live, although his ability to play guitar has been somewhat affected in recent years.

HOMES Clapton has owned several homes throughout his life, including properties in Surrey, England, and Antigua, where he built the Crossroads Centre. He often escapes to quieter, more rural locations for respite.

TRAVEL Eric Clapton has toured extensively throughout his career and traveled the world for both his music and leisure pursuits, particularly for his love of fishing.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Clapton has been featured in numerous documentaries and interviews. His influence on music and pop culture has led to countless television appearances, and he has been the subject of multiple films, including Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars (2017).

ACHIEVEMENTS Eric Clapton’s career is filled with accolades. He has won 18 Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame three times. Clapton's musical legacy is unparalleled, and his contributions to rock and blues are indelible.