It’s Sunday again, which means it’s time for Jim Adams’ Song Lyric Sunday. This week we are to choose an artist who has won the Brit Award for and Outstanding Contribution to Music. I’ve chosen Eric Clapton who was the recipient of the BRIT Award in 1987. The songs Sunshine of your Love, (Cream), Layla (Derek and the Dominoes) and the album 461 Ocean Blvd are what seemed to do it for him.
The Facts
Eric Clapton was born in Ripley, Surrey, England, on March 30, 1945. His real father was a Canadian pilot, but he didn’t find that out until he was 53. When he was 2 his mother felt she was unable to look after him, so Eric then went to live with his grandparents. When he was 14, he took up the guitar, having been influenced by blues artists such as B.B King, Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker.
In 1966 Clapton formed a new band with two other proficient and gifted rockers, bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker. This group, Cream, achieved international popularity with its sophisticated high-volume fusion of rock and blues that featured improvisatory solos. Clapton’s mastery of the blues form and phrasing, his rapid runs, and his melancholy vibrato were widely imitated by other rock guitarists. The high energy and emotional intensity of his playing on such songs as “Crossroads” and “White Room” set the standard for the rock guitar solo. Cream disbanded in late 1968, having recorded such albums as Disraeli Gears (1967), Wheels of Fire (1968), and Goodbye (1969).
Trivia
George Harrison was married to model Pattie Boyd from 1966 to 1977. Clapton fell in love with Boyd and commenced to write “Layla” and “Wonderful Tonight” especially for her. She left Harrison for Clapton, and they were married from 1979 to 1989. Harrison and Clapton referred to each other as “husbands-in-law”.
Despite selling hundreds of millions of records as a solo artist and as a member of Genesis, Phil Collins has said that playing drums for Clapton was the highlight of his whole career.
Eric managed to kick heroin addiction via electro-acupuncture. Boy George received the same therapy ten years later.
He was on the short list of guitarists to replace Brian Jones in The Rolling Stones.
Whatcha think?