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Eric Clapton - Music Legend - Guitar God

© Ann Stanton

The Clapton Chronicles was released just four short weeks ago, and if you don't have the album - you're missing out on reliving a lifetime of music memories. I can't imagine any music collection being complete without classics like Change the World and Tears in Heaven.

For most music fans, the mere mention of blues guitar, congers images of Eric Clapton. He was born in Ripley England in 1945 and was raised by his grandparents. By the age of 15 he began playing the guitar - musical genre of course, being the blues - and was soon playing in pubs. Eric dropped out of college in the early sixties to pursue his musical career full time.

After several months of struggling he joined The Yardbirds and released two successful albums. The stint with the Yardbirds and Clapton left the band. Coincidentally, two other popular musicians followed him into the group; Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck. Both artists are blues legends in their own rite. Almost immediately, Eric joined a new band, the Bluesbreakers. The band's debut single reached #6 in the UK but once again he left the band, unsatisfied and went on to form his own band, Cream.

The album Fresh Cream was released in 1966. The band toured the United States, where Clapton's infamous reputation preceded him, and Cream gained immediate popularity. Even after the release of several hit singles, some of which went platinum, Clapton left the band in 1968, partly due to indifference's between himself and a fellow band member.

Clapton's next band, formed just months after his departure from Cream, Blind Faith, was both successful and unsuccessful. Their first US tour was ultimately their last, although they played to sold-out crowds. Band members clashed and argued over musical direction and by the time the tour ended, they parted ways.

Clapton may have been without a band, but he was still a popular session musician. He contributed to a good many albums, and accompanied Delaney and Bonnie on several tours. In 1970, "Slowhand" released his first solo album; the single, After Midnight, drove the album up the charts. Later that year, Clapton contributed to George Harrison's new album, All Things Must Pass. Harrison and Clapton had long been friends, but the relationship soon ended when Eric fell in love with his friend's wife, Patti.

Falling in love with his best friend's wife wasn't Clapton's only vice - he began using herioin. He released Layla And Other Love Songs with his new band Derek and the Dominoes. He dedicated the premiere single to Harrison's wife, and it became a top 10 hit. As before, the band soon broke up, and Clapton was so heavily involved with drug use at that time that he was unable to put together a new record.