Artist Thumbnail
Eric Clapton
Born in Surrey, England in March of 1945, Eric Clapton received his first guitar at age 13. He developed a love for blues music early on, an affinity that would play a major role in his biography. He joined his first band at 17, and soon his guitar playing was drawing attention from far and wide. In 1963, he joined The Yardbirds, remaining with the band for a year-and-a-half, during which time he became legendary on the British music circuit. With their first hit, "For Your Love" (1965), the direction of the band became more pop-oriented, compelling Clapton to leave and join the blues act of John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. In July 1966, he was recruited by drummer Ginger Baker to join Cream, a new trio (along with bassist Jack Bruce) that became a beloved ‘supergroup.’ Together for barely two years, Cream redefined rock music, and despite being a commercial and critical success, personality conflicts led to their disbanding. Clapton had developed a strong friendship with George Harrison of the Beatles, which led to Clapton's guest appearance on the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", making him the first outside artist to appear on a Beatles song. Clapton next formed Blind Faith, but just as the band became successful, he again left and began playing ‘one-offs’ with a varied assortment of musicians, including John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band and Delaney & Bonnie. From the latter, he put together Derek and the Dominoes, with a resulting album that included "Layla", one of his most identifiable songs. The early 1970s were a torturous time for Clapton, both personally and professionally. He overcame heroin addiction, and began work on a comeback album, "461 Ocean Boulevard", which contained the hit single "I Shot the Sheriff". Tragedy and personal setbacks continued to plague him however, most notably with the deaths of friend and fellow guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan and his four-year old son Conor, which inspired the single "Tears in Heaven" in 1992. Clapton's guitar playing has been a major influence on nearly every guitarist of the past half-century, and his 18 Grammy Awards attests to his skill and ability. His generosity hasn't been limited to music however, having participated in dozens of humanitarian causes, most notably in the establishment of his Crossroads Centre, a substance abuse rehabilitation organization.

Songs

See All
1
thumbnail
Tears in Heaven
Eric Clapton
2
thumbnail
Cocaine
Eric Clapton
3
thumbnail
Wonderful Tonight
Eric Clapton
4
thumbnail
Wonderful Tonight (with J.J. Cale) (Live at Ipayone Center, San Diego, CA, 3/15/2007)
Eric Clapton
5
thumbnail
While My Guitar Gently Weeps (Live)
Paul McCartney

Albums

See All
thumbnail

Meanwhile

2024
thumbnail

I Still Do

2016
thumbnail

The Road to Escondido

2006
thumbnail

Rarities 2001-2010

2023
thumbnail

Eric Clapton & Friends - The Breeze (An Appreciation of JJ Cale)

2014
thumbnail

Back Home

2005
thumbnail

Rarities 1983-1998

2023
thumbnail

Old Sock

2013
thumbnail

Happy Xmas

2018
thumbnail

Clapton

2010

Singles & EPs

See All
thumbnail

One Woman

Single • 2024
thumbnail

Moon River / How Could We Know

Single • 2023
thumbnail

This Has Gotta Stop

Single • 2021
thumbnail

Prayer of a Child

Single • 2024
thumbnail

Moon River

Single • 2023
thumbnail

This Has Gotta Stop

Single • 2021
thumbnail

Nothing But The Whole Wide World

Single • 2024
thumbnail

Pompous Fool

Single • 2022
thumbnail

Always On My Mind

Single • 2023
thumbnail

Heart of a Child

Single • 2021

Videos

See All
thumbnail

Wonderful Tonight (with J.J. Cale) (Live at Ipayone Center, San Diego, CA, 3/15/2007)

Eric Clapton • 62M views
thumbnail

Anyway the Wind Blows (with J.J. Cale) (Live at Ipayone Center, San Diego, CA, 3/15/2007)

Eric Clapton • 13M views
thumbnail

Layla (Acoustic; Live at MTV Unplugged, Bray Film Studios, Windsor, England, UK, 1/16/1992; 1999 Remaster)

Eric Clapton • 518K views
thumbnail

Layla (Live at The Royal Albert Hall) [Orchestral Version] (Live at The Royal Albert Hall, Orchestral Version)

Eric Clapton • 6.8M views

Featured on

thumbnail

Presenting Eric Clapton

Playlist • YouTube Music
thumbnail

Hits Unplugged

Playlist • YouTube Music
thumbnail

Game Night

Playlist • YouTube Music
thumbnail

Presenting B.B. King

Playlist • YouTube Music
thumbnail

Roots of Blues

Playlist • YouTube Music
thumbnail

Soft Rock Ballads

Playlist • YouTube Music
thumbnail

Presenting Tina Turner

Playlist • YouTube Music
thumbnail

'70s Slow Dance

Playlist • YouTube Music
thumbnail

Presenting George Harrison

Playlist • YouTube Music
thumbnail

'70s Mellow Gold

Playlist • YouTube Music

Artist-made playlists

See All
thumbnail

Eric Clapton - Official Music Videos

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 668K views
thumbnail

The Lady In The Balcony: Lockdown Sessions

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 94K views
thumbnail

Eric Clapton - Christmas

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 23K views
thumbnail

Eric Clapton - Live

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 342K views
thumbnail

Crossroads Guitar Festival

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 44K views
thumbnail

Nothing But The Blues

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 10K views
thumbnail

Eric Clapton - 'Meanwhile'

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 146K views
thumbnail

Eric Clapton- Official Lyric Videos

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 26K views
thumbnail

The Definitive 24 Nights

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 114K views
thumbnail

‘Rarities 1983-1998’

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 24K views

Fans might also like

thumbnail

Derek & The Dominos

55.1K subscribers
thumbnail

Joe Cocker

4.54M monthly audience
thumbnail

John Mayall

34.6K subscribers
thumbnail

Stevie Ray Vaughan

2.29M monthly audience
thumbnail

The Rolling Stones

38.5M monthly audience
thumbnail

Peter Frampton

834K monthly audience
thumbnail

Jeff Beck

814K monthly audience
thumbnail

Cream

119K subscribers
thumbnail

Santana

14.4M monthly audience
thumbnail

Dire Straits

40.3M monthly audience