Img: Incase
You don’t have to be a guitar player or buff to know the name Eric Clapton. This Englishman solidified his status early on as one of the greatest guitar players of all-time, and he’s still active today. Though the blues were his inspiration, Clapton mastered several musical styles. He earned the nickname “Slowhand” in the 1960’s because when he’d change a broken guitar string onstage, the audience would clap to a slow rhythm.
Clapton Quick Facts
• Born March 30, 1945 in Surrey, England
• Got his first guitar at age 13, as a gift
• Joined his first band, The Roosters, at age 17
• Has played blues, pop, psychedelic and rock and roll
• Has played both solo and with 9 bands including The Yardbirds, Cream and Derek and the Dominoes
• A three-time inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; winner of 18 Grammy Awards
• Was married to friend George Harrison’s ex-wife, Pattie Boyd
Songs/Live Performances
“White Room” at Royal Albert Hall
(Stay for the solo!)
“Let it Rain”
Clapton tries his slowhand at Jimi Hendrix hit “Little Wing”:
“Layla,” live at Madison Square Garden:
Playing a blues solo:
Clapton Resources
• Where’s Eric – The Clapton Fanclub Magazine
• Cream: Strange Brew (a documentary): (Part 1 of 4)
• Nothing But the Blues (a Clapton documentary by Martin Scorsese):
• Play Guitar Like Eric Clapton
• Clapton Chords and Tabs