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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

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1
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Wonderful Tonight
Eric Clapton
2
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Tears in Heaven
Eric Clapton
3
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Cocaine
Eric Clapton
4
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Wonderful Tonight (with J.J. Cale) (Live at Ipayone Center, San Diego, CA, 3/15/2007)
Eric Clapton
5
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Tears in Heaven (Acoustic Live)
Eric Clapton

Albums

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Meanwhile

2024
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I Still Do

2016
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The Road to Escondido

2006
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Rarities 2001-2010

2023
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Eric Clapton & Friends - The Breeze (An Appreciation of JJ Cale)

2014
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Back Home

2005
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Rarities 1983-1998

2023
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Old Sock

2013
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Happy Xmas

2018
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Clapton

2010

Singles & EPs

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Forever (Bonus Track)

Single • 2025
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Always On My Mind

Single • 2023
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Heart of a Child

Single • 2021
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One Woman

Single • 2024
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Moon River / How Could We Know

Single • 2023
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This Has Gotta Stop

Single • 2021
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Prayer of a Child

Single • 2024
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Moon River

Single • 2023
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Nothing But The Whole Wide World

Single • 2024
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Pompous Fool

Single • 2022

Videos

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Live performances

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Got to Get Better in a Little While

Eric Clapton • 13M views
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Wonderful Tonight (with J.J. Cale) (Live at Ipayone Center, San Diego, CA, 3/15/2007)

Eric Clapton • 69M views
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Layla (Acoustic; Live at MTV Unplugged, Bray Film Studios, Windsor, England, UK, 1/16/1992; 1999 Remaster)

Eric Clapton • 1.6M views
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Tears in Heaven (Acoustic Live)

Eric Clapton • 4.4M views
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Anyway the Wind Blows (with J.J. Cale) (Live at Ipayone Center, San Diego, CA, 3/15/2007)

Eric Clapton • 14M views
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Eric Clapton - Layla (Live at Royal Albert Hall, 1991) (Orchestral Version)

Eric Clapton • 10M views

Featured on

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Presenting Eric Clapton

Playlist • YouTube Music
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Hits Unplugged

Playlist • YouTube Music
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Soft Rock Ballads

Playlist • YouTube Music
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Presenting B.B. King

Playlist • YouTube Music
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Roots of Blues

Playlist • YouTube Music
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Classic Rock Instrumentals

Playlist • YouTube Music
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Presenting Tina Turner

Playlist • YouTube Music
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'70s Slow Dance

Playlist • YouTube Music
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Presenting George Harrison

Playlist • YouTube Music
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'70s Mellow Gold

Playlist • YouTube Music

Playlists by Eric Clapton

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Eric Clapton - Official Music Videos

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 726K views
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The Lady In The Balcony: Lockdown Sessions

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 105K views
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Eric Clapton - Christmas

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 23K views
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Eric Clapton - Live

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 355K views
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Crossroads Guitar Festival

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 53K views
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Nothing But The Blues

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 11K views
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Eric Clapton - 'Meanwhile'

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 182K views
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‘Rarities 1983-1998’

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 26K views
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The Definitive 24 Nights

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 154K views
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Eric Clapton- Official Lyric Videos

Playlist • Eric Clapton • 26K views

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