Eric Clapton Artistfacts

Eric Clapton cancels shows due to injury

... Eric Clapton has been forced to cancel two European shows at short notice, citing back problems. Clapton was due to play Vienna today (June 11) and Stuttgart tomorrow (June 12). A statement on Clapton's website reads: "Unfortunately Eric Clapton has had to cancel his concerts in Vienna, Austria and Stuttgart, Germany on his current tour due to severe back pain. "He is currently with specialists who will be able to better determine the course of treatment. "He was looking forward to these concerts and regrets that he is not to be able to perform for the fans. "He would like to apologize for any inconveniences these cancellations may cause and would like to thank the fans for their understanding. "All tickets can be returned to the Box Offices for refund." Clapton is next due to play Koenig-Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Germany on June 14. Visit our dedicated features section, with plenty of our best long pieces archived there. You can find it here. Uncut is now available as a digital edition! Download here on your iPad/iPhone and here on your Kindle Fire or Nook. Eric Clapton cancels shows due to injury ... [ read more ]

Eric Clapton cancels concert in Vienna following back injuries

... currently with specialists who will decide what treatment the star requires. Show organisers said they are already looking for an alternative date. Tickets remain valid for any new date set, otherwise they can be returned and refunded.Eric has another four shows scheduled for his European itinerary, the next show is on June 14th at the Koenig-Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany, however it is not yet known whether his illness will affect these. He is set to completed the Europe leg of his tour on June 19th at the O2 Arena in Prague. Eric Clapton cancels concert in Vienna following back injuries ... [ read more ]

Eric Clapton Suffers Back Injury

... (Classic Rock) Eric Clapton has cancelled two concerts after suffering severe back pain. The iconic guitarist is receiving medical attention after being forced to call off shows in Vienna, Austria and Stuttgart, Germany this week. It's not known whether he'll appear for the next scheduled gig in Oberhausen, Germany, on Friday. A statement says: "He is currently with specialists who will be able to better determine the course of treatment. "He was looking forward to these concerts and regrets that he is not to be able to perform for the fans. He would like to apologise for any inconveniences these cancellations may cause and would like to thank the fans for their understanding." more on this story Classic Rock Magazine is an official news provider for antiMusic.com. Copyright Classic Rock Magazine- Excerpted here with permission. Eric Clapton Suffers Back Injury ... [ read more ]

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He was born Eric Patrick Clapton in Ripley, Surrey in 1945, the illegitimate son of a Canadian soldier Edward Walter Fryer, who returned to his wife in Canada before he was born and his 16-year-old mother Patricia Molly Clapton. Before Eric was born, Fryer returned to his wife in Canada. Clapton was brought up by his maternal grandparents Rose and Jack Clapp believing that his mother was his sister. His lack of identity is one reason he always related to The Blues.

Clapton has been a member of The Yardbirds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, and Derek and the Dominos.

His nickname is "Slowhand," although he plays very fast. His manager started calling him that while he was touring with The Yardbirds in 1964. Clapton was famous for breaking strings because of his ridiculous bends. When he would go backstage to change strings the audience would start a slow hand clap until he returned. (thanks, Earl - NJ)

He lived in a house in Miami on 461 Ocean Boulevard. The address became the name of one of his albums. The Bee Gees later lived in that house.

In 1991 his 4-year-old son Conor died when he fell out of a window at his mother's house in New York.

Clapton is the only person inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 3 times. He is in as a solo artist and as a member of Cream and The Yardbirds.

Clapton did a lot of drugs and went into a depression in the early '70s. He was deeply affected by the deaths of Duane Allman, Jimi Hendrix, and the grandfather who raised him. According to his autobiography Clapton, his heroin addition at one point was costing him about $16,000 a week, and when he finally kicked that habit he turned to cocaine and alcohol.

During his time with The Bluesbreakers and Cream, graffiti showed up around England saying: "Clapton Is God." This added to his legend.

In 1979, he married Pattie Harrison. She was previously married to George Harrison, who remained good friends with Clapton. Clapton declared his love for her on the Derek and the Dominos album Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs in 1970, while she was still married to Harrison. Eric and Pattie divorced in 1988.

In 1998, he opened a drug and alcohol rehab center in Antigua called Crossroads. Clapton always loved the island, and thought its serenity and isolation were a perfect place for a treatment program.

He dated Sheryl Crow. He was inspiration for her song "My Favorite Mistake."

Clapton has always had a very laid-back style when performing live. He did not want to look foolish jumping around the stage when he got older.

In 1962, he went to Kingston Art College and studied stained-glass design. This is where he taught himself to play guitar.

Along with Robert Cray, Clapton played with Stevie Ray Vaughan the night he died. Eric's Tour Manager, Peter Jackson, had traded flights with Vaughan because Stevie was in a big hurry to get back to their hotel. Peter offered his seat to Stevie and took the next helicopter out. It was originally reported that Peter was killed because he was scheduled for that flight.

For his North America 1995 Tour, Eric Clapton requested a special room be set up for his table football.

Clapton idolized his uncle Adrian. The album Reptile is a sort of tribute to Adrian, who died in spring 2000.

Clapton got his first guitar at age 15.

Harvard University named an asteroid after him.

His favorite guitar is a 1956 Stratocaster that he made from 3 other guitars.

He convinced Jimmy Vaughn to continue his musical career after his brother Stevie Ray Vaughn died.

Clapton married graphic designer Melia McEnery at a secret ceremony on New Year's Day, 2002. At the christening for their 6-month-old daughter, they had the minister marry them.

Clapton has cited Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, and Bo Diddley as influences. (thanks, Jonathan - Nahant, MA)

Clapton was one of the first major musicians to use the wah wah pedal, especially on the album Disraeli Gears. He inspired Jimi Hendrix to incorporate the wah wah pedal into his music. Hendrix was a huge Cream fan. (thanks, Jason - St. Louis, MO)

He has ties to both of the Allman brothers. He wrote the score to the film Rush (1991), which featured Gregg Allman; with the help of Gregg's brother Duane, Clapton recorded the album Layla & Other Assorted Love Songs (1970). (thanks, James - Tracy, CA)

In her 2007 book Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me, Pattie Boyd explained that Clapton first started dating her younger sister, Paula, but tenaciously pursued Pattie and made his affections clear.

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Comments:

eric clapton was also nicknamed "god" due to graffiti proclaiming "eric clapton is god"

- drew, humble, TX

As an add, I'd like to add that the Stevie Ray Vaughan show that EC played at just before SRV was killed, also included SRV's brother Jimmie Lee, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, and of course Stevie.

- Mark, Vassar, MI, MI

EC was known in the '60's as the best white Blues guitarist bar none. In fact in England they called him God....they would graffiti it all over the place. This was around the time he played in the Yardbirds, early 60's. He quit the Yardbirds over creative differences, supposedly and went to play with John Mayall in the Bluesbreakers. The "God" thing was during this time. From there he played with Cream for 3 or 4 years, then he played in Blind Faith with Stevie Winwood. He played in Derek and the Dominos, early 70's with the legendary slide guitarist Duane Allman. He played with Delaney and Bonnie briefly. Since then he's mainly headed his own bands with various musicians. In 1994 he put out "From the Cradle", an excellent record of all-Blues covers, and toured in support. He lost his son Conor to a terrible accident around that same time. And yes, some of his stuff is among my favorite, especially c. Derek and the Dominos.

- Mark, Vassar, MI, MI

I Want A Song : Let It Rain Of Eric Clapton

- ord2496@gmail.com, Korat, Thailand

The Feb 2008 interviews at Illuminati-News with ECs long time love Debra Hunter Pitts states: Famous people were involved in this Militia Group, such celebrities as Eric Clapton and Carlos Santana whom she has kids, and they had support from people in Hollywood as well. The interviews describes the Militia as covert and EC as a founding member in 1969.

- Shirley, Dallas, TX

Tears in heaven is one of my favorite songs that he has written. I have always liked the song but now that my boyfriend has passed away I just cant pull myself away from this song. It's a sad but good song.

- Rachel, Lockport, NY

I read that Frank Zappa taught Jimi Hendricks to use the wa-wa peddle.

- Stefanie, Rock Hill, SC

Not one to be a pain but it was in fact Jimmy Page who inspired Jimmi Hendrix to use the Wah Wah Pedal as he actually helped design it after using a similar but less succesful idea a few years before.

- Jack, Newcastle, England

I think that Clapton i one of the 3 great guitarists. Number one is Jimmy Page, Clapton, and Hendrix. Clapton has the best style with the guitar, he is truly a blues guitarist. Page is of course better at guitar than clapton, but his stlye is not as good. I like then both for different reasons, but i think clapton is second best.

- Kent, Provo, UT

Eric Clapton, never played with Ravi Shankar, never were both at the same time playing together..... Ravi Shankar played as a Ravi Shankar himself in the same Concert, is not the same man!!!

- Ricardo, Mexico, Mexico

Eric Clapton also played with "The Secret Police", with Sting and Bob Geldof

- Ricardo, Mexico, Mexico

Eric is such a diverse guitar player, he can make a subtle sound one second and the next thing you know hes shredding like there is no tomarrow, and he is not even comparable to any other guitar player, there is no limit to music but he is closer than anyone I gaurentee!

- Clark, Uniontown, PA

now, now, Zach from Dublin, OH? well well, yeah he played with George Harrison in '71 at the Concert for Bangladesh at Madison Square Garden along with Leon Russel, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, and Ravi Shankar

- cool dude, ottawa, Canada

Clapton is the Greatest Guitarist of all time and he is at his best when he played with the beatles on While my Guitar Gently Weeps

- Zack, Dublin, OH

Clapton is my personal favorite guitar player. I think he is the best but that's just me. Genious by any standard though. A master of all sounds. I want to go a clapton concert some day

- Kartik, Peace River, Canada

David Gilmour's my favorite, but Claptain's pretty awesome. Uf anyone doesn't have the cd of Cream's reunion concerts at Royal Albert Hall,, I'd definitely check it out. It's worth a listen.

- Stefanie, Rock Hill, SC

Some of Clapton's Best Work is from 1965 to 1969 (The yardbirds, The Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith). After that period in time, his sound and style of music started to change. For instance if you watch something from the cream ferwell concert, like IM SO GLAD, and then you watch him play live from a concert in the seventies and on, he seems to have lost his great touch. BUT HE'S STILL ERIC CLAPTON AND HE WILL KICK YOU ASS ANY DAY!!!

- Whitt, castro valley, CA

I love Clapton not just for his amazing guitar playing ability, but for his amazing range of sounds. He has mastered psychadelic rock, pure rock, blues, the acoustic guitar, reggae, pop, and jazz. He's truely amazing, but I'd have to say his best stuff comes from his days with Cream.

- Jason, St. Louis, MO

how many people on this page agree with me on this.................. CLAPTON IS THE BEST GUITARIST OF ALL TIME!

- Mark, Perth, Australia

Tears in Heaven is an awesome song.
It reminds me of my dad who died before I was born.
It is an awesome song and I throughly Recommend it to every one.

- Lachlan, New Plymouth, New Zealand

"most of Eric Claptons major hits were written by JJ CALE......loke AFTER MIDNIGHT,COCAINE and I SHOT THE SHERFFI was written by BOB MARELY"
-------------------------------------------------
1) Eric Clapton never claimed to have written I Shot The Sherrif. That was the great Bob Marley.
2)Yeh Cocaine is a great song but thats not all the guy has. What about Layla, and Sunshine of your Love, Tears in Heaven, My Fathers Eyes, Wonderful Tonight, Badge, Crossroads, the list goes on and on. He never knew his dad, his son died. He was in a horrible state with drugs. AND is still the greatest rock guitarist ever. Eric Cpaton is my Idol. Go Clapton, to heck with anyone who thinks he aint good.

-Sean

- Sean, Private info :), NE

hi ya'll-this is an article that you will find interesting if you are interested in Eric Clapton's life.I hail from Sault Ste Marie and knew Eric's dad rather well.(he played a great piano)Does anyone know a site where there is a fair chance that Mr.Clapton will go to and read or a site where one would go to book him?read" http://www.eric-clapton.co.uk/interviewsandarticles/hisfatherseyes.htm"

- gary, Sault Ste Marie, Canada

'I Shot the Sheriff' was written by Victor Ford,
not Bob Marley, although the(original)
Wailers* were probably the first to record it.

*Marley, Bunny Wailer, and Tosh

- Jay, Virginia Beach, VA

Eric Clapton was not named Slow hand for sarcassim or from his manafer or anything like that. He got this name because of his forceful string bending. He would often snap the strings on stage and he would replace them while the fans do a slow clap. That is all nothing more nothing less. The Red Hot Chili Peppers are the greatest band in the world... If you listen to lots of their songs u will see what i mean... Blues and the rest are still great but this is my type of music. Funk Rock/Pop is the greatest

- Matt, Adelaide, Australia

Spencer, your probably the only Canadien I've ever agreed with..and Greg from Little River I kno exactly what you mean..Bottom line, Clapton is geneous..

- pat, westmont, NJ

Eric Clapton is actually a better guitar player now than he was 30 years ago, both electric and acoustic. His sound has changed through the years. Because of music technology, his tone now has more of a twangy "Gilmour" sound. In the 70's he had more of a Buddy Guy kind of tone. Although he is known for playing strats, nobody made a Les Paul sound better than Clapton.
People also need to realize that the band he has right now with Billy Preston may be one of his best bands ever, except that they only play old material.

- Joel, Tempe, AZ

I think he's the mantis bro. I don't know him. But whoever he is he can come to my crib anytime. Holla @ 911 and maybe we can talk sometime or we could ride in my black and white cop car. Catch you up.

- Miliama, Auckland, New Zealand

Actually, the nickname 'Slowhand' was given to EC because of the slow applause his audience gave him when he would break a string from bending it too much.

- John, Sugar Land , TX

im going to have to agree with don. in my opinion he is the greatest guitar player, he was too in your face but, what in gods name is he doin? Mabye he just cant play like he used to but i dont know man somethings just aint right when clapton doesnt rip a face melting solo at a concert.

- Clapton, San fran , CA

Eric Clapton is one of the all time greats with every band he played for, and, in my opinion, Layla is one of the greatest songs ever recorded

- Spencer, Edmonton, Canada

Clapton has reinvented the blues ... seeing him with Buddy Guy you can tell he spent a lot of time listening to him ........ but he polished up all his (BGuy's) wanky notes to artistic smoothness.... thanks for the inspiration E.C.
ps... What's his brother' name he discovered hanging out in the pubs in Vancouver doing all those BAD Drugs infiltrating our streets ?

- rknrne, Vancouver, Canada

most of Eric Claptons major hits were written by JJ CALE......loke AFTER MIDNIGHT,COCAINE and I SHOT THE SHERFFI was written by BOB MARELY

- mike, st.louis, MO

Eric Clapton is awesome...solo and in Cream, he is just great. Ive grew up listening to him

- Shana, Pembroke, Canada

Clapton's guitar "Blackie" which he used throughout the 70's was auctioned for $959,000 in July. This is a record for a guitar.

- B, Toronto, Canada

Also, he grew up thinking that his mother was his sister. It was a great shock when the woman he thought was his sister turned out to be his mother.

- James, Bransgore, England

Sometimes I would compare Clapton's solos to David Gimour's solos.

- Bob, Mt. Laurel, NJ

His son's death was the inspiration for the song "tears in heaven"

- Mike, Spokane, WA

Eric Clapton is one of the greatest guitarists ever. He has written some of the most memorable music, I have listened to. But, honestly what has Eric done in the last ten years? Nothing original and only blues covers. I've seen him live and he is incendiary with his playing. Eric Clapton has become steeped in banality. What happened, man?

- Don, Pittsburgh, PA

Eric was named "slowhand" as a joke by the manager of the Yardbirds Giorgio Gomelsky as sort of a joke because of Clapton's speed on the fretboard.

- wilbert, poughkeepsie, NY

Many sources have said that Eric Clapton's real name was Eric Patrick Clapp. This is wrong! His Real Name was actually Eric Patrick Clapton. Clapp was only the last name of his Grandmother and Grandfather.

- Annabelle, Eugene, OR

The one thing I admired about clapton is that he never gose "all out" on his solos. He makes the solo flow right in to the song. Which show that you don't have to go crazy on the guitar to sound good.

- greg, little river, SC

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