The Evolution of Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream.
Furthermore, he formed blues rock band Blind Faith with Baker, Steve Winwood, and Ric Grech. For most of the 1970s Clapton's output bore the influence of the mellow style of J. J. Cale and the reggae of Bob Marley. His version of Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" helped reggae reach a mass market. Two of his most popular recordings were "Layla", recorded with Derek and the Dominos; and Robert Johnson's "Crossroads", recorded with Cream.
Clapton has been the recipient of 18 Grammy Awards, and the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 2004 he was awarded a CBE at Buckingham Palace for services to music.
In 1998, Clapton, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, founded the Crossroads Centre on Antigua, a medical facility for recovering substance abusers.
Yardbirds - For Your Love
Cream - Sunshine Of Your Love
Blind Faith - Can't Find My Way Home
Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven
Be sure to check these and other Clapton tunes in this playlist
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My husband is mad about Eric Clapton and can't understand why I don't like him. Lol, we both figure there is something wrong with me, given how famous and popular the guy is. He is a legend in music.
ReplyDeleteI understand. Not all famous and popular musicians are everyone's cup of tea. For example, I don't particularly care for Beyonce, but look how popular she is. Music is very subjective.
Delete~Mary
MARY! MARY!...
DeleteYou don't like Beyoncé?!?!
Well, that does it!
I'm never coming back here again.
~ D-FensDogG
Check out my new blog @
(Link:] Stephen T. McCarthy Reviews...
Nope. Not a fan. That doesn't mean she isn't talented. She just isn't my preference.
DeleteYou'll be back... you know you can't stay away ;)
~Mary
Actually, I'm kind of with Tania on this. I do NOT dislike Clapton -- in fact, some songs I like quite well -- but overall I think he's extremely overrated. 'Layla' is terrific (definitely a "crank it up to eleven" tune), and for his time he was certainly one of those "guitar gods". But guys came along later who could definitely outplay him.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading some time back that Stevie Ray Vaughan followed Clapton on stage at some big concert and Clapton said he was really glad the order hadn't been reversed. So even he was acknowledging that he'd been eclipsed. And, really, there are countless videos at YouTube of Danny Gatton that would blow Clapton's doors in.
Nevertheless, Clapton sure made a mark, recorded some good tunes, and I'm glad he got clean and has helped others to do the same. Being overrated doesn't make him a bad bloke.
~ D-FensDogG
Check out my new blog @
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Hey there McCarthy!
DeleteOf course, there will always be another musician that comes along and can do a better job. If I remember right, Clapton also felt the same way about Hendrix (or was it the other way around - I forget) But Clapton, Hendrix, Stevie Ray, and Gatton are all excellent musicians in my book.
~Mary
I remember the tragic death of his son like it was yesterday. What a treasure he is, whether overrated or not. ~grin~ How neat to hear Steve Winwood speak, then sing. I understand that Western European musicians generally have to work at having their accent not sound American if they choose to do so. David Bowie seemed to pull it off the best.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I think they should embrace their accents. It helps give them individuality.
Delete~Mary
I have a wonderful Eric Clapton story. We used to eat at the Troubodour restaurant in Sth. London. Little did we know this was one of Eric Clapton's favourite places to eat. We were lucky to be there when he was enjoying a pasta meal. After he finished eating he performed for the night! This restaurant sadly closed so I don't know if he has any other favourites. But that night it was thrilling to have a concert that went on for hours!
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty cool story! What a great experience that must have been for you.
DeleteI had a similar experience in Sun Valley, Idaho. Plenty of actors/actresses like to visit in the winter, but this was spring-time or as the the locals call it - 'Slack Time'. During this time, staff is essentially a skeleton crew. I was at Sunday Brunch at the Sun Valley Lodge when someone started playing the piano and it caught our attention because the regular guy was off on vacation. Dudley Moore stands up from the piano bench (dude is really short at only 5'3") and says he was just trying to 'fill up the slack'. Funny guy, and quite talented.
~Mary
I never recognise anyone, but the moment BoB Dylan started performing, I realised it's him. I love your Dudley Moore Story! That's really funny. I heard it was quite a short man with a big personality!
DeleteLove Eric Clapton! Layla never fails to bring back memories of being lake dances in the 70's. 15 years later he inspired my brother - now a successful jazz guitarist in his own right- to study guitar! I think my favorite of his work is Badge by Cream, and Can't Find My Way Home - both featured in the underrated movie Fandango.
ReplyDeleteps-love the celeb stories! how awesome!
Thanks Laura! It's amazing where and how we get our inspiration to do things later in life. I really enjoy learning about the musicians and some of the back stories to the music.
Delete~Mary
Bell Bottom Blues by Dric And The Dominos I love that song at the time I did not know that Eric Clapton was led singer and played led guitar in that band also Layla was a top 40 hit three different times once in the 70 by Dric And The Dominos and Twice By Clapton as a solo artist
ReplyDeleteRoger
Derek and the Dominos were a blues rock band formed in the spring of 1970 by guitarist and singer Eric Clapton, keyboardist and singer Bobby Whitlock, bassist Carl Radle and drummer Jim Gordon. All four members had previously played together in Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, during and after Clapton's brief tenure with Blind Faith.
DeleteI like Clapton as well but I also think he is vastly overrated a guitarist. He is a good slinger but not what I would call elite.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your opinion, but this article wasn't about how great he was/is. It was merely showcasing how his sound has evolved throughout the years.
DeleteEric Clapton is one of the music world's biggest icons and an amazing guitarist (among many). While I enjoy his work, for some reason, he's never been at the forefront of my musical attentions. Layla, in all its forms is a fantastic song, though. The back story, about his unrequited (then requited) love for George Harrison's wife, Patty is interesting as well. I'm glad he was able to channel his grief about Conner into music. That must have been cathartic. Great write-up, Mary!
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie! I agree with you on this completely!
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
~Mary
Nice one, I'm sharing it on twitter
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mike! Appreciate it!
Delete~Mary