Eric Clapton, born on March 30, 1945, in England, is a legendary guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Known as one of rock music's greatest guitarists, Clapton ranked second in Rolling Stone's “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and has received numerous accolades, including 18 Grammy Awards and a Brit Award. He is also the only musician inducted three times into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: as a solo artist, and as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream.
Clapton's career began with local bands before he joined the Yardbirds (1963-1965) and John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers (1965-1966). He rose to fame as a member of Cream, a power trio blending blues and psychedelic rock, producing hits like "Sunshine of Your Love." After Cream disbanded, Clapton formed Blind Faith, another short-lived but impactful band, and later the iconic Derek and the Dominos, best known for the song "Layla."
His solo career brought immense success, starting with his 1970 debut. He explored reggae with a hit cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff," country rock with Slowhand (1977), and pop rock with August (1986). Personal tragedy struck in 1991 with the death of his son, inspiring the heartfelt "Tears in Heaven," featured on his Unplugged album. Later hits include "Change the World" (1996) and "My Father’s Eyes" (1998).
Clapton has also focused on blues music and philanthropy, founding the Crossroads Centre in Antigua to help people recovering from addiction. His Crossroads Guitar Festival highlights his passion for music and charity. In 2024, he released Meanwhile, his latest album. With over 100 million records sold, Clapton remains a timeless icon in music history.
