In 1998, Clapton, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, founded the Crossroads Centre on Antigua, a medical facility for those recovering from substance abuse. In his solo career, he has sold more than 280 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. 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 of Cream. He has received four Ivor Novello Awards from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2004, he was awarded a CBE for services to music.

His most recent studio album is Happy Xmas (2018).Ĭlapton has received 18 Grammy Awards as well as the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. Since 1999, he has recorded a number of traditional blues and blues rock albums and hosted the periodic Crossroads Guitar Festival. In 1998, he released the Grammy award-winning ' My Father's Eyes'. In 1996 he had another top-40 hit with the R&B crossover ' Change the World'. Following the death of his son Conor in 1991, Clapton's grief was expressed in the song ' Tears in Heaven', which appeared on his Unplugged album. He continued to record a number of successful solo albums and songs over the next several decades, including a 1974 cover of Bob Marley's ' I Shot the Sheriff' (which helped reggae reach a mass market), the country-infused Slowhand album (1977) and the pop rock of 1986's August. Clapton embarked on a solo career in 1970.Īlongside his solo career, he also performed with Delaney & Bonnie and Derek and the Dominos, with whom he recorded ' Layla', one of his signature songs. After Cream broke up in November 1968, he formed the blues rock band Blind Faith with Baker, Steve Winwood, and Ric Grech, recording one album and performing on one tour before they broke up. On leaving Mayall in 1966, after one album, he formed the power trio Cream with drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce, in which Clapton played sustained blues improvisations and 'arty, blues-based psychedelic pop'. Dissatisfied with the change of the Yardbirds sound from blues rock to a more radio-friendly pop rock sound, he left in 1965 to play with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. Īfter playing in a number of different local bands, Clapton joined the Yardbirds in 1963, replacing founding guitarist Top Topham. He was also named number five in Time magazine's list of 'The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players' in 2009. He ranked second in Rolling Stone 's list of the ' 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time' and fourth in Gibson 's 'Top 50 Guitarists of All Time'.

He is regarded as one of the most successful and influential guitarists in rock music. Eric Patrick Clapton CBE (born 30 March 1945) is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter.

Lyrics and chords wonderful tonight