Eric Clapton first made a name for himself as a guitarist through playing alongside British rock group, the Yardbirds, before then joining John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, time during which he penned some of the finest guitar work of the 60s, proving himself one of the best guitarists to arise out of the UK. Forming the supergroup Cream, with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce, Clapton helped set the tone for the rocking 60s, with his blues-heavy rock. Yet whilst being recognised as one of the best guitarists of his generation, his solo career was slow to start off, taking a number of years before his first solo effort arrived.
After achieving a Top 40 hit with “After Midnight,” Clapton recorded a landmark album with Derek & the Dominoes, “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs” in 1970. A period of inactivity followed due to drug addiction but in 1974, with the release of “461 Ocean Boulevard,” Clapton topped the charts, bolstered by the successful number one single, “I Shot the Sheriff,” a cover of Bob Marley’s classic tune. Clapton continued to release hit after hit as the decade progressed, finding success with his 1977 album, “Slowhand,” which featured the singles “Cocaine,” “After Midnight” and “Lay Down Sally,” selling in the millions. Further Top Ten hits followed with 1978’s “Backless” and the live album, “Just One Night,” which displayed Clapton’s guitar prowess.
Clapton’s success quietened in the 80s, although in 1989, he returned to form with “Journeyman.” After the tragic death of his son in 1991, Clapton recorded the gut-wrenching song “Tears in Heaven,” which went on to become a huge hit. The guitarist also found widespread acclaim for his appearance on MTV’s Unplugged series in 1992, turning in some beautiful acoustic blues on an album that would become one of his biggest selling. Clapton returned to his blues roots in the 90s, with the hugely successful “From the Cradle,” before then releasing an album new material in 1998, with “Pilgrim.”
Clapton continue his exploration of his blues roots through a collaborative album with B.B. King in 2000, as well as creating “Me and Mr. Johnson” in 2004, an album in honour of the legendary Delta Blues guitarist, Robert Johnson. A collaborative effort with longtime idol, JJ Cale, 2006’s “The Road to Escondido” helped show a different side to Clapton, with Clapton continuing to collaborate with legendary artists throughout the decade, featured on several live albums.
Clapton set up his own imprint, Bushbranch, releasing the Top Ten album, “Old Sock,” in 2013, which collected several old songs that Clapton loved dearly. In respect of the late J.J. Cale, Clapton recorded a tribute album, “The Breeze: An Appreciation of J.J. Cale,” in 2014, which featured a number of artists including Willie Nelson, John Mayer, Tom Petty and Mark Knopfler.
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