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Eric Clapton

May 15, 2014 by strictlyrock Leave a Comment

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Eric Patrick Clapton was born March 30th, 1945 in Ripley, Surrey, England. Eric grew up in England and got his first acoustic guitar at age 13. He spent hours upon hours practicing so he would be able to emulate the blues music he adored. Eric left school in 1961 and attended the Kingston College of Art in London for a short time. In 1963 Clapton joined his first band, The Roosters, at the young age of 17. In October of that year Clapton joined The Yardbirds, who had taken over as the house band at the Crawdaddy Club, a spot that had recently been held by the Rolling Stones. The band signed with Columbia Records in February of 1964 and released their debut live album “Five Live Yardbirds,” on December 4th, 1964. Clapton toured with the band throughout England and contributed to the song “For Your Love,” which would become the group’s first hit after he departed in 1965.

Clapton then joined the blues band John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, in April of 1965. Although he quit a few months later, Clapton rejoined the band that November and earned a reputation as a stellar blues guitarist. In July 1966 Clapton left the Bluesbreakers with band mate Jack Bruce. Clapton, Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker then formed the psychedelic rock band Cream. It was with Cream that Clapton first performed in the United States, at the RKO Theater in New York in March of 1967. Cream had a short, but hugely successful run that produced hits such as “Sunshine of Your Love,” “White Room,” and “Crossroads.” The members of Cream went their separate ways in 1968, and Clapton continued on the path to superstardom.

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Eric had become good friends with Beatles guitarist George Harrison, and had the honor of playing on his debut solo album, “Wonderwall Music” which was released in December of 1968 in the US. Clapton then rejoined his former band mate Ginger Baker to create the “super-group” Blind Faith, which also consisted of Steve Winwood and Ric Grech. The band’s one and only album “Blind Faith,” was released in August of 1969 and skyrocketed to the top of the American charts. The band broke up shortly afterwards and Clapton, who had grown somewhat tired of the constant focus placed on him, toured with the American band Dealaney and Bonnie and Friends. Eric also famously performed with John Lennon and Yoko Onos’ Plastic Ono Band at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival in September of 1969.

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In August of 1970 Clapton released his self-titled debut solo album “Eric Clapton.” The album scored the #13 spot on the US charts and included the song “After Midnight.” That same year Clapton formed Derek and the Dominos with his former “Dealaney” band mates Bobby Whitlock, Carl Radle, and Jim Gordon. The band only produced one album entitled “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.” Despite the fact that the record peaked at #16 on the charts, it produced what is one of Clapton’s most recognizable hits, “Layla.” After the band broke up in 1971, Clapton withdrew from the public eye briefly, and battled drug addiction. He returned with assitance from The Who’s Pete Townshed, who helped get him a “comeback” show. Clapton later appeared in the film version of The Who’s rock opera “Tommy,” playing the role of the Preacher.

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“461 Ocean Boulevard,” released in July of 1974, would become Clapton’s second solo album. The record topped the American charts and included Clapton’s now classic remake of Bob Marley’s “I Shot the Sheriff.” Over the years Eric Clapton has had phenomenal success as a solo artist, selling millions of records and winning numerous Grammy Awards. He was ranked #4 on Rolling Stones list of the “100 Greatest Guitarist of All Time,” is a living legend and is reportedly the only person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on 3 separate occasions, for his work with the Yardbirds, Cream, and as solo artist. Eric Clapton’s continuing contributions to the world of music cannot be overstated. As of 2009, Eric Clapton is still active and has future tour dates scheduled.

 

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100 Greatest Rock & Roll Bands

  1. The Beatles
  2. The Rolling Stones
  3. Led Zeppelin
  4. Jimi Hendrix
  5. Elvis Presley
  6. The Who
  7. U2
  8. Pink Floyd
  9. The Doors
  10. The Police
  11. Elton John
  12. Metallica
  13. AC/DC
  14. Van Halen
  15. Nirvana
  16. Guns N' Roses
  17. Santana
  18. The Allman Brothers Band
  19. Bon Jovi
  20. David Bowie
  21. Grateful Dead
  22. Rush
  23. Yes
  24. Black Sabbath
  25. Bob Dylan
  26. James Brown
  27. The Beach Boys
  28. Eric Clapton
  29. Fleetwood Mac
  30. The Eagles
  31. Bob Marley
  32. Van Morrison
  33. Bruce Springsteen
  34. The Clash
  35. Queen
  36. Janis Joplin
  37. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
  38. R.E.M.
  39. The Kinks
  40. Steely Dan
  41. Steve Miller Band
  42. Jethro Tull
  43. Tool
  44. The Scorpions
  45. Coldplay
  46. Stone Temple Pilots
  47. Rod Stewart
  48. Marilyn Manson
  49. Creedence Clearwater Revival
  50. KISS
  51. The Pretenders
  52. Green Day
  53. Aerosmith
  54. Tina Turner
  55. Pearl Jam
  56. Ted Nugent
  57. Pantera
  58. Motörhead
  59. Judas Priest
  60. ZZ Top
  61. Megadeth
  62. Motley Crue
  63. Alice Cooper
  64. Def Leppard
  65. Iron Maiden
  66. Billy Idol
  67. Journey
  68. Anthrax
  69. Rage Against the Machine
  70. Blue Oyster Cult
  71. Alice in Chains
  72. Genesis
  73. Red Hot Chili Peppers
  74. Chuck Berry
  75. Buddy Holly
  76. Little Richard
  77. Elvis Costello
  78. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
  79. Sex Pistols
  80. Cream
  81. Frank Zappa
  82. Talking Heads
  83. Stevie Ray Vaughan
  84. Billy Joel
  85. The Band
  86. Ramones
  87. Lynyrd Skynyrd
  88. Jerry Lee Lewis
  89. Doobie Brothers
  90. Foo Fighters
  91. The Cure
  92. Soundgarden
  93. Iggy Pop
  94. Peter Gabriel
  95. The Byrds
  96. Traffic
  97. Deep Purple
  98. Blondie
  99. Velvet Underground
  100. Heart

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