Eric Clapton Biography

Born in Surrey, England, Eric Patrick Clapton is the son of Patricia Molly Clapton and Edward Walter Fryer, a Canadian soldier who served during World War II. His mother was a 16-year-old, unmarried girl at the time of his birth.

After his birth, when his father returned to his wife in Canada, Eric was raised by Patricia’s parents. Though they never adopted him legally, they acted as his legal guardian till 1963.

He received his early education from Hollyfield School in Surbiton. Later, he attended the Kingston College of Art. Unfortunately, the school authority dismissed him for his negligence towards art. From this time onwards, he developed an interest in blues.

In the early period of 1963, he joined a band called The Roosters. In August 1963, when the band broke up, he started performing as part of Casey Jones & The Engineers.

His association with The Yardbirds started in October 1963. In the next year, he performed for this band at the Royal Albert Hall, in London. Later, he recorded his single Good Morning Little Schoolgirl with this band.

The band received huge success after the release of a single titled For Your Love. Though he played the guitar during the performance of this song, Eric Clapton was against using commercial sound in this score.

After leaving The Yardbirds in 1965, he joined John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. His performance with this band brought him recognition as a guitarist. At that time, he visited Greece for a short period with a band called The Glands.

After his return, he recorded Blues Breakers With Eric Clapton, an album with the Bluesbreakers. In 1966, he also performed as part of the Powerhouse, a British blues studio supergroup.

After leaving the Bluesbreakers in July 1966, he joined Ginger Baker’s newly formed band Cream. This band provided him the opportunity to prove his potential as a singer, songwriter, and guitarist.

From 1968 to 1969, he played a vital role in the recording of the band’s successful scores like Sunshine of Your Love, White Room, and Crossroads. Along with George Harrison, he co-wrote Badge, a studio single for Cream’s last album Goodbye.

Later, he formed Blind Faith, a British blues rock band that released an album of the same name in 1969. After the break-up of this band, he went on a musical tour with Delaney & Bonnie & Friends.

In 1969, he performed at a fundraiser program for UNICEF in London. Inspired by Delaney Bramlett, he started singing and composing songs. In association with Bramlett, he recorded songs for the album, Music From Free Creek.

In 1970, he recorded his first solo album Eric Clapton which got wide acclaim. In this year, he formed Derek and the Dominos. With this band, he released Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.

In 1974, his album 461 Ocean Boulevard appeared. It contained popular singles like I Shot the Sheriff. The success of this album started his flourishing solo career.

In the next year, he released There’s One in Every Crowd, his new album. After releasing several of his albums, he performed for a solo album titled The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking.

Eric Clapton continued releasing studio albums, such as Money and Cigarettes, Me and Mr. Johnson, and Old Sock. In 2018, he released his 21st solo studio album Happy Xmas. In August 2021, he released the song “This Has Gotta Stop” which reflected on the adversities that COVID lockdown brought upon people. In 2023, after the onset of the Israel-Hamas war, he put out the song “Voice of a Child” which showed images of the destruction of Gaza.

He released his album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs in November 1970. Due to the album’s huge popularity, it achieved 16th position on Billboard’s Pop Album chart.

Along with Michael Kamen, his remarkable composition for the 1985 BBC television thriller serial Edge of Darkness earned him a British Academy Television Award.

His album Journeyman appeared in 1989. The album presents mind-blowing blues songs like Before You Accuse Me. Eric Clapton received the 1990 Best Male Rock Vocal Performance Grammy Award for the album’s song Bad Love. He has 16 other Grammy Awards under his belt.

Eric Clapton married Pattie Boyd in 1979. During their married life, he developed a romantic relationship with Yvonne Kelly with whom he had a daughter, Ruth. He did not disclose the birth of Ruth till 1991.

Eric and Boyd divorced in 1988, due to his alcoholism and his relationship with Italian model Lory Del Santo. With Santo, he had a son named Conor. He was later involved in a number of relationships.

In 2001, his daughter Julie Rose was born. Julie’s mother is Melia McEnery whom he married at a church in Surrey in 2002. They have two other daughters, Ella Mae and Sophie.

Eric Clapton is a skilled artist beyond music, as he has also created impressive abstract paintings that have been exhibited in galleries.

Clapton once owned a Ferrari collection that included some rare and iconic models, showcasing his passion for cars as well.

Despite his rock star image, Clapton is known for his love of gardening and has even been spotted tending to his plants in his free time.

Clapton's guitar skills are so legendary that he has been nicknamed "Slowhand," a reference to both his smooth playing style and his deliberate approach to music.

In addition to his successful solo career, Clapton has also been a member of several influential bands, including Cream and Derek and the Dominos, leaving a lasting impact on the music industry.