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Eric Clapton Biography (1945-)

Full name, Eric Patrick Clapton; born March 30, 1945, in Ripley, Surrey, England; son of Edward Fryer (in the military) and Patricia Molly Clapton; half-brother of Ted Rich (a guitarist); married Patricia Anne Boyd Harrison (an actress), March 27, 1979 (divorced, June, 1988); children: (with Yvonne Kelly) Ruth; (with Lori Del Santo, an actress) Conor (deceased); (with Melia McEnery,a graphic artist) Julie Rose.

Nationality

British

Gender

Male

Occupation

Guitarist, singer, composer, songwriter, actor, recording artist

Birth Details

March 30, 1945

Ripley, Surrey, United Kingdom

Famous Works

• CREDITS
• Film Appearances
• Sweet Toronto, 1970
• The Concert for Bangladesh, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1972
• Jimi Hendrix, 1973
• Preacher, Tommy (also known as Tommy by The Who and TheWho's Tommy), Columbia, 1975
• Cream's Farewell Concert, 1977
• The Last Waltz (documentary), United Artists, 1978
• Eric Clapton and His Rolling Hotel, 1980
• The Secret Policeman's Other Ball, Miramax, 1982
• Member of Singing Rebel Band, Water, J. Arthur Rank, 1985
• Rock `n' Roll Goldmine: The Sixties (also known as Casey Kasem's Rock `n' Roll Goldmine: The Sixties), 1986
• Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock `n' Roll, 1987
• Himself, Yardbirds, 1992
• Member of the band Dirty Mac, The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus (documentary), ABKCO Films, 1995
• Can't You Hear the Wind Howl? The Life and Music of Robert Johnson(documentary), WinStar Home Entertainment, 1997
• Member of Louisiana Gator Boys, Blues Brothers 2000, Universal, 1998
• Appeared with Cream in archival footage in the documentary Bye Bye Star-Club.
• Film Work
• Music Performer
• Tommy (also known as Tommy by "The Who" and The Who's Tommy), Columbia, 1975
• "Further On up the Road," The Last Waltz (documentary), United Artists, 1978
• "Next Time You See Her," Private Lessons (also known as Philly), Jensen Farley, 1981
• "One Step Away," Back to the Future, Universal, 1985
• "Forever Man," SpaceCamp, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1986
• The American Way, 1986
• "It's in the Way You Use It" and "It's My Life Baby," The Color of Money, Buena Vista, 1986
• Lethal Weapon, Warner Bros., 1987
• Homeboy, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1988
• Communion, a True Story (also known as Communion), New LineCinema, 1989
• "Motherless Children," Immediate Family (also known as PaternalGuidance), Columbia, 1989
• "Layla," GoodFellas, Warner Bros., 1990
• "Don't Know Which Way to Go," "Help Me Up," and "Tears in Heaven," Rush, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Pathe, 1991
• "It's Probably Me" and "Runaway Train," Lethal Weapon 3, Warner Bros., 1992
• "Give Me Strength," Peter's Friends, Samuel Goldwyn Company, 1992
• "Loving Your Lovin'," Wayne's World, Paramount, 1992
• "Miss You," Malice, Columbia, 1993
• "I Can't Stand It," Georgia, Miramax, 1995
• The Van (also known as Fish & Chips), Fox Searchlight Pictures, 1996
• "Further On up the Road," City of Angels (also known as Stadt der Engel), Warner Bros., 1998
• "Pilgrim," Lethal Weapon 4 (also known as Lethal 4), WarnerBros., 1998
• "Let It Rain," Patch Adams, Universal, 1998
• "Blue Eyes Blue," Runaway Bride, Paramount, 1999
• "Get Lost" and "Wonderful Tonight," The Story of Us, Universal, 1999
• Music Producer and Song Producer
• "Get Lost" and "Wonderful Tonight," The Story of Us, Universal, 1999
• Television Appearances
• Specials
• Live Aid, 1985
• "Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul," American Masters, PBS, 1988
• Freedomfest: Nelson Mandala's 70th Birthday Celebration, Fox, 1988
• The Prince's Trust All-Star Rock Concert (also known as The 3rdAnnual Prince's Trust All-Star Concert), [Great Britain], broadcast in the United States on The Disney Channel, 1988
• Rolling Stones: Terrifying (also known as Rolling Stones: The Steel Wheels Concert), syndicated, 1989
• The Songwriters Hall of Fame 20th Anniversary: The Magic of Music,CBS, 1989
• The Best of Cinemax Sessions, Cinemax, 1990
• Jacksonville Jazz X, PBS, 1990
• Late Night with David Letterman 8th Anniversary Special, NBC, 1990
• MTV Unplugged, MTV, 1991
• Two Rooms: Tribute to Elton John and Bernie Taupin (also known asTwo Rooms), ABC, 1991
• Columbia Records Celebrates the Music of Bob Dylan, syndicated, 1992
• "The Bob Dylan 30th Anniversary Celebration," In the Spotlight, PBS, 1993
• Apollo Theater Hall of Fame, NBC, 1993
• Eric Clapton: From the Cradle, syndicated, 1994
• Retooling America, PBS, 1994
• "Eric Clapton: Nothing but the Blues," In the Spotlight, PBS, 1995
• "Joe Cocker: Have a Little Faith," A & E Stage, Arts and Entertainment, 1995
• Comic Relief: Behind the Nose, HBO, 1995
• The History of Rock `n' Roll, Vol. 7 (also known as Guitar Heroes), 1995
• Robbie Robertson: Going Home, The Disney Channel, 1995
• The Band, Arts and Entertainment, 1996
• The Mastercard Masters of Music Concert for the Prince's Trust, HBO, 1996
• Stevie Ray Vaughan: A Tribute, PBS, 1996
• Awards Presentations
• The 1990 Billboard Music Awards Show, Fox, 1990
• The Second International Rock Awards, ABC, 1990
• The 1992 MTV Video Music Awards, syndicated, 1992
• The 35th Annual Grammy Awards, CBS, 1993
• Episodic
• MTV Unplugged, syndicated, 1989
• ABC in Concert, ABC, 1991
• Rock & Roll, PBS, 1995
• The Frank Skinner Show, BBC, 1999
• "Guitar Heroes," Top Ten, 2001
• RECORDINGS
• Albums
• Eric Clapton, Polydor, 1970
• The Concert for Bangladesh, 1972
• History of Eric Clapton, 1972
• Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert, Polydor, 1973 expanded version, Polydor, 1995
• 461 Ocean Boulevard, Polydor, 1974
• Eric Clapton Was Here, Polydor, 1975
• There's One in Every Crowd, Polydor, 1975
• No Reason to Cry, Polydor, 1976
• Slowhand, Polydor, 1977
• Backless, Polydor, 1978
• Just One Night, Polydor, 1980
• Another Ticket, Polydor, 1981
• Money and Cigarettes, Warner Bros., 1983
• Time Pieces--The Best of Eric Clapton, Polydor, 1983
• Backtrackin', 1984
• Behind the Sun, Warner Bros., 1985
• Times Pieces II/Live in the Seventies, Polydor, 1985
• August, Warner Bros., 1986
• Lethal Weapon (soundtrack recording), 1986
• Crossroads, Polydor, 1988
• One Moment in Time, 1988
• Journeyman, Warner Bros., 1989
• 24 Nights, Warner Bros., 1991
• Unplugged, Warner Bros., 1992
• My Back Pages, 1993
• From the Cradle, Warner Bros., 1994
• The Cream of Clapton, Polydor, 1995
• Crossroads II: Live in the 70s, Polydor, 1996
• Retail Therapy, 1997
• Pilgrim, 1998
• Reptile, Reprise, 2001
• (With B. B. King) Riding with the King, 2001
• Clapton Chronicles, Reprise/Warner Bros., c. 2001
• Albums; with the Yardbirds
• Five Live Yardbirds, 1964
• For Your Love, 1965
• Albums; with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers
• Lonely Years, 1965
• Bluesbreakers, London, 1966
• Albums; with Cream
• Fresh Cream, Polydor, 1966
• Disraeli Gears, Polydor, 1967
• Wheels of Fire, Polydor, 1968
• The Best of Cream, 1969
• Goodbye Cream, Polydor, 1969
• Live Cream, 1970
• Live Cream--Vol. 2, 1972
• The Very Best of Cream, A & M, 1995
• Those Were the Days, Polydor, 1997
• Albums; with Blind Faith
• Blind Faith, Polydor, 1969
• Albums; with Derek and the Dominos
• Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, Polydor, 1970
• Derek and the Dominos in Concert, Polydor, 1973
• The Layla Sessions, Polydor, 1990
• Live at the Fillmore, Polydor, 1994
• Albums; with Delaney and Bonnie and Friends
• Delaney and Bonnie and Friends, with Eric Clapton, Polydor, 1970
• Instrumental Pieces
• "SRV Shuffle," c. 1995
• "The Calling," c. 1999
• Singles
• Singles include "Bad Love," "Change the World," "Cocaine," "I Shot the Sheriff," "Lay Down Sally," "Layla," "My Father's Eyes," "Tears in Heaven," and"Wonderful Tonight." Singles with Cream include "Sunshine of Your Love." Singles with Derek and the Dominos include "Layla." Singles with the Yardbirds include "For Your Love." Performed with B. B. King in the song "Riding with the King." Performed with the Beatles on songs, including "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."
• Videos
• The Cream of Eric Clapton, 1989
• Eric Clapton: 24 Nights, 1991
• Michael Kamen: Concert for Saxophone, 1991
• Eric Clapton: Unplugged, 1992
• Fresh Cream--Live, Polydor, 1993
• Clapton Chronicles: The Best of Eric Clapton, 1999
• Eric Clapton & Friends in Concert, 1999
• WRITINGS
• Film Music
• (With Cream) Pacific Vibrations, 1970
• Mean Streets, Warner Bros., 1973
• (With Brian Ahern and Van Morrison) Slipstream (also known as Une voix dans la nuit), Pacific Rim, 1974
• Eric Clapton and His Rolling Hotel, 1980
• (With Paco de Lucia) Title music, The Hit, Island Alive, 1985
• (With Michael Kamen) Lethal Weapon, Warner Bros., 1987
• (With Kamen) Homeboy, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1988
• (With Allan Zavod) Main theme music, Communion, a True Story (alsoknown as Communion), New Line Cinema, 1989
• (With Kamen and David Sanborn) Lethal Weapon 2, Warner Bros., 1989
• Rush, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Pathe, 1991
• (With Kamen and Sanborn) Lethal Weapon 3, Warner Bros., 1992
• Heat, Warner Bros., 1995
• The Van (also known as Fish & Chips), Fox Searchlight Pictures, 1996
• Nil by Mouth (also known as Ne pas avaler), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1997
• The Accountant, Over the Edge Films, 1999
• The Story of Us, Universal, 1999
• Songs for Films
• "Strange Brew," More American Graffiti, Universal, 1979
• "Next Time You See Her," Private Lessons (also known as Philly), Jensen Farley, 1981
• (With Cream) "Sunshine of Your Love," Uncommon Valor, Paramount, 1983
• "Freedom," Water, J. Arthur Rank, 1984
• "Badge," Fandango, Warner Bros., 1985
• "One Step Away," Back to the Future, Universal, 1985
• "It's in the Way You Use It," The Color of Money, Buena Vista, 1986
• "Layla," Private Investigations, 1987
• "Motherless Children," Immediate Family (also known as PaternalGuidance), Columbia, 1989
• "Layla," GoodFellas, Warner Bros., 1990
• "Don't Know Which Way to Go," "Help Me Up," and "Tears in Heaven," Rush, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Pathe, 1991
• "Sunshine of Your Love," Backdraft, Universal, 1991
• "It's Probably Me," Lethal Weapon 3, Warner Bros., 1992
• "Miss You," Malice, Columbia, 1993
• "Strange Brew," A Bronx Tale, Savoy Pictures, 1993
• "Sunshine of Your Love," True Lies, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1994
• "I Can't Stand It," Georgia, Miramax, 1995
• Casino, Universal, 1995
• "Change the World," Phenomenon, Buena Vista, 1996
• "Badge," Without Limits, Warner Bros., 1998
• "Bell Bottom Blues" and "Let It Rain," Patch Adams, Universal, 1998
• "Pilgrim," Lethal Weapon 4 (also known as Lethal 4), WarnerBros., 1998
• "Further On up the Road," City of Angels (also known as Stadt der Engel), Warner Bros., 1998
• "Get Lost" and "Wonderful Tonight," The Story of Us, Universal, 1999
• "Further On up the Road," A Knight's Tale, Columbia/Twentieth Century-Fox, 2001
• "Strange Brew," Blow, New Line Cinema, 2001
• Television Music
• Main Title Music; Series
• Cap des Pins, beginning in 1998
• Miniseries
• (With Michael Kamen) Edge of Darkness, BBC, 1986
• Specials
• "Layla," Jacksonville Jazz X, PBS, 1990
• Retooling America, PBS, 1994
• Other
• The Hustler of Money, 1988
• Songs
• Collaborated with George Harrison to write the song "Badge"; other songsinclude "Presence of the Lord."

Further Reference

OTHER SOURCES

Books

• Coleman, Ray, Clapton! An Authorized Biography, Warner Books, 1988
• Contemporary Musicians: Profiles of the People in Music, Volume 11, Gale, 1994
• Encyclopedia of World Biography Supplement, Volume 18, Gale, 1998
• Eric Clapton Visual Documentary, Omnibus Press, 1993
• Giuliano, Geoffrey, The Illustrated Eric Clapton, Book Sales, 1994
• Newsmakers: The People behind Today's Headlines, Issue 3, Gale, 1993
• O'Donnell, Jim, Wonderful Tonight: Eric Clapton, Les Paul, and Queen in Concert, Hall of Fame Books, 1993
• Pidgeon, John, Eric Clapton: A Biography, David & Charles, 1986
• Roberty, March, The Complete Guide to the Music of Eric Clapton, Omnibus Press, 1995
• Roberty, March, Eric Clapton, Music Book Services, 1995
• Roberty, March, Eric Clapton: The Complete Recording Sessions, 1963-1992, St. Martin's Press (New York City), 1995
• Roberty, March, Eric Clapton: The Eric Clapton Album, Thirty Years ofMusic and Memorabilia, Penguin Studio, 1994
• Roberty, March, Eric Clapton in His Own Words, Omnibus Press, 1995
• Roberty, March, The Eric Clapton Scrapbook, Citadel Press (Secaucus, NJ), 1994
• Roberty, March, Slowhand: The Life and Music of Eric Clapton, Harmony Books, 1991
• Roberty, March, and Chris Welch, Eric Clapton: The Illustrated Discography, Omnibus Press, 1984
• Schumacher, Michael, and Matthew A. Schumacher, Crossroads: The Life and Music of Eric Clapton, Hyperion, 1996
• Shapiro, Harry, Eric Clapton: Lost in the Blues, Da Capo Press, 1992
• Shapiro, Harry, Slowhand: The Story of Eric Clapton, Proteus Publishing, 1984
• Weller, Fred, Eric Clapton, Smithmark Publishing, 1992

Periodicals

• Entertainment Weekly, March 19, 1999, p. 118
• Guitar Player, July, 1985 November, 1994, p. 89; March, 1996, p. 51
• People Weekly, March 1, 1993, p. 85
• Rolling Stone, October 17, 1991, p. 42; October 15, 1992, p. 126;April 29, 1993, p. 33