Happy Birthday Eric Clapton! (March 30, 1945)

byFrankB-1

5.7K followers

Updated 1 year ago

Hi WA Friends!

Let's celebrate the birthday of one of the greatest Rock and Blues guitar players of all time! The man that's also known as "Slowhand," a name that came about from the slow hand clapping in the audience while Eric stayed on stage and replaced a broken guitar string.

Eric is also one of what is considered the British Holy Trinity of Rock Musicians: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page.

Eric was born in Surrey, England, in 1945. As a teenager, he became interested in the Blues and was heavily influenced by the music of Robert Johnson, B. B. King, Muddy Waters, and Freddie King.

The Yardbirds

Eric joined the Yardbirds in 1963. I remember hearing him playing on the tune "For Your Love." It was one of the first songs I learned to play on the guitar.

The Blues Breakers

Eric was replaced in the Yardbirds by Jeff Beck when he left to join John Mayall & the Blues Breakers in 1965.

Here's the album that became my Blues bible for learning guitar riffs. It was also known as the "Beano" album because Eric is reading the Beano, a children's comic book. It's still regarded as some of Eric's finest work!

Cream

In 1966, Eric left the Blues Breakers to form his own band, Cream, with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. "Sunshine Of Your Love" was another one of the first songs I learned to play on the guitar. This band epitomized the 60s psychedelic era. I saw Cream play at Madison Square Garden, and they did an incredible show!

Perhaps you remember the custom-painted Gibson SG guitar called "The Fool" (from the Tarot card) that Eric played in the early days of Cream. You can't get more "60s" than this!

The Fool Guitar

Blind Faith

Despite Cream's immense success, they disbanded in 1968, and Eric formed the short-lived group called Blind Faith with Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker, and Ric Grech.

Solo Career

After Blind Faith broke up, Eric embarked on a solo career, which is ongoing, although at 78 years old, he has scaled back his touring schedule quite a bit.

Discography

Eric's solo albums: ALL essential listening, but if you have to pick one, check out "Another Ticket" or "From The Cradle."

• Eric Clapton (1970)
• 461 Ocean Boulevard (1974)
• There's One in Every Crowd (1975)
• No Reason to Cry (1976)
• Slowhand (1977)
• Backless (1978)
• Another Ticket (1981)
• Money and Cigarettes (1983)
• Behind the Sun (1985)
• August (1986)
• Journeyman (1989)
• Rush (1992, soundtrack)
• From the Cradle (1994)
• Pilgrim (1998)
• Reptile (2001)
• Me and Mr. Johnson (2004)
• Sessions for Robert J (2004)
• Back Home (2005)
• Clapton (2010)
• Old Sock (2013)
• I Still Do (2016)
• Happy Xmas (2018)

Collaboration Albums:

• Riding with the King (with B.B. King) (2000)
• The Road to Escondido (with J. J. Cale) (2006)
• The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale (by Eric Clapton & Friends) (2014)

Happy Birthday, Eric! 🎂

Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸