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Eric Clapton
Even before Eric Clapton began his solo career in 1970, with the release of the album “Eric Clapton,” he was already one of the most significant rock musicians in the world. He collaborated with such giants as The Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream and Blind Faith. Thanks to this, he was hailed as the best guitarist of his generation, nicknamed ‘Slowhand,’ and became a legend.
Clapton was born in 1945 in Ripley, Great Britain. At the age of 13, he became interested in music. His favorite artists were Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly. Already as a student of the school of fine arts, Clapton began to play the guitar imitating his then blues idols: B. B. King, Big Bill Broonzy, and Muddy Waters. In 1963, he began working with the rhythm and blues group The Roosters. The next formation is Casey Jones And The Engineers. In the same year, Clapton started to play with The Yardbirds. After 18 months, he abandoned The Yardbirds and began working with Bluesbreakers.
In 1966, Clapton, along with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, founded a supergroup – the legendary band Cream. During three years of existence, they recorded some great albums, including “Fresh Cream,” “Disraeli Gears,” “Wheels Of Fire,” or “Goodbye” and concert records. After the closure of Cream in 1969, Clapton played Blind Faith for a year and then joined Delaney And Bonnie And Friends, with whom he recorded the album “Delaney And Bonnie And Friends.”
In 1970, Clapton decided to start a solo career and released the album “Eric Clapton.” Unfortunately, the record did not find recognition in the eyes of fans, and therefore a new formation was created – Derek And The Dominos. With this band, he recorded one of Clapton’s most famous songs – the composition “Layla.”
In August 1974, the album “461 Ocean Boulevard” was released on the market, which included, among others, Clapton’s great hit single promoting the album – “I Shot the Sheriff” – a cover of Bob Marley’s song. The next records are a real success story – “There’s One in Every Crowd” (1975), “E.C. Was Here” (1975), “No Reason to Cry” (1976).
In 1977, Clapton released one of his best albums – “Slowhand.” The songs include “Cocaine,” “Lay Down Sally” and “Wonderful Tonight.” The 1980s belonged to Clapton, each of his albums brought another great hit that conquered the listings. Despite this “commercial course,” the artist was still able to please fans of his earlier, more ambitious incarnation, proposing excellent releases such as “August” (1987) or “Journeyman” (1989).
In 1991, a series of professional successes was interrupted by the tragic death of his son. Under the influence of this sad event, he wrote the song “Tears In Heaven.” Clapton recorded it during the performance for MTV, entitled “Unplugged.”
In 2000, the musician paid tribute to his idol B.B. King. Both great artists decided to play songs that they once recorded on their own. The result of their cooperation was the album “B.B. King And Eric Clapton – Riding With The King.” A year later, the album “Reptile” was released. In 2002, the concert records “One More Car, One More Rider” hit the market, consisting of two C.D.s and a DVD. There were both newer Clapton songs like “My Father’s Eyes,” and “Tears In Heaven” as well as great hits – “Cocaine,” “Layla.”
Clapton’s next album “Me & Mr. Johnson” is also a tribute, this time to the famous guitarist Robert Johnson, one of the most talented and innovative American blues musicians. Eric loves the blues, and on this album, he put 14 interpretations of Johnson’s compositions. Clapton released this CD in March 2004.