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 at Buckingham Palace for services to music. Following the death of his son Conor in 1991, Clapton's grief was expressed in the song "Tears in Heaven", which was featured on his Unplugged album.Ĭlapton has been the recipient of 18 Grammy Awards, and the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. Two of his most popular recordings were "Layla", recorded with Derek and the Dominos and Robert Johnson's "Crossroads", recorded with Cream. His version of Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" helped reggae reach a mass market. Clapton's solo career began in the 1970s, where his work bore the influence of the mellow style of J. After Cream broke up, he formed blues rock band Blind Faith with Baker, Steve Winwood, and Ric Grech. Immediately after leaving Mayall, Clapton 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". In the mid-1960s Clapton left the Yardbirds to play with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. He was also named number five in Time magazine's list of "The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players" in 2009. Clapton ranked second in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and fourth in Gibson's "Top 50 Guitarists of All Time". Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and influential guitarists 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. Clapton ranked second in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and fourth in Gibson's "Top 50 Guitarist.Įric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945), is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter.
Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945), is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter.