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Eric Clapton

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Eric Clapton: Biography

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Birth Name: Eric Patrick Clapton
Birth Place: Ripley, Surrey, England
Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 03/30/1945, Aries
Profession: Singer, songwriter, guitarist

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Eric Clapton Fast Facts:

Raised by his grandparents.
Believed that his mother Patricia, who had him out-of-wedlock at age 16, was his sister; learned the truth at age 9.
Never met his biological father, who was a Canadian soldier stationed in Britain during World War II.
Introduced to the blues by Uncle Mac's Children's Hour, a children's radio show that occasionally played blues songs.
Received his first guitar at age 13.
Influences included Big Bill Broonzy and Muddy Waters.
Joined his first band, the Roosters, at age 17, in early 1963.
Recruited to the Yardbirds in October 1963; earned the nickname "Slowhand" during his stint with the band.
Quit the Yardbirds because of their move to a pop sound with the hit single "For Your Love."
Joined John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, a blues-purist group, in 1965. It was with them that he earned another nickname: "God."
Formed Cream with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker in July 1966.
Broke up Cream in 1968 due to personality conflicts and a desire to get away from music driven by extended guitar solos.
Played lead guitar on the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."
Became a close friend of George Harrison.
Formed the supergroup Blind Faith with Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker and Ric Grech after Cream disbanded. The band released one album before breaking up.
Backed John Lennon at the Toronto Rock 'n' Roll Revival Festival in 1969.
Though unsure of himself as a singer, he pressed on with vocals and released his self-titled solo debut in 1970.
Formed Derek and the Dominos in 1970, releasing the classic Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs album that same year.
Inspired by his then-unrequited love for Pattie Boyd, wife of George Harrison, to write "Layla."
Wrote the Grammy-winning "Tears From Heaven" for his 4-year-old son Conor, who died in 1991 when he fell from a 53rd-floor apartment in New York City.
Struggled with addictions to alcohol and heroin, finally becoming sober in 1987.
Founded Crossroads Centre, an alcohol-drug treatment facility in Antigua, in 1998.
Has played guitar on songs by Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, George Harrison, Elton John, B.B. King, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Stephen Stills, Sting, Roger Waters and Frank Zappa.
Three-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: with the Yardbirds (1992), Cream (1993) and on his own (2000).
Published the acclaimed, best-selling Clapton: The Autobiography in 2007.

Eric Clapton Relationships:
Brian MacDonald - Half Brother
Cheryl MacDonald - Half Sister
Conor Clapton - Son
Edward Walter Fryer - Father
Ella May Clapton - Daughter
Frank MacDonald - Stepfather
Heather MacDonald - Half Sister
Jack Clapp - Grandfather
Julie Rose Clapton - Daughter
Lori Del Santo - Ex-significant Other
Melia McEnery - Wife
Patricia Molly Clapton - Mother
Pattie Boyd - Ex-wife
Rose Clapp - Grandmother
Ruth Clapton - Daughter
Sheryl Crow - Ex-significant Other
Sophie Belle Clapton - Daughter
Yvonne Kelly - Ex-significant Other
Eric Clapton Awards:
1972 Grammy: Album of the Year - Winner
2007 Grammy: Best Contemporary Blues Album - Winner
2001 Grammy: Best Pop Instrumental Performance - Winner
2000 Grammy: Best Traditional Blues Album - Winner
1999 Grammy: Best Rock Instrumental Performance - Winner
1998 Grammy: Best Male Pop Vocal Performance - Winner
1996 Grammy: Record of the Year - Winner
1996 Grammy: Best Male Pop Vocal Performance - Winner
1996 Grammy: Best Rock Instrumental Performance - Winner
1994 Grammy: Best Traditional Blues Album - Winner
1992 Grammy: Record of the Year - Winner
1992 Grammy: Album of the Year - Winner
1992 Grammy: Song of the Year - Winner
1992 Grammy: Best Pop Vocal Performance - Male - Winner
1992 Grammy: Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male - Winner
1992 Grammy: Best Rock Song - Winner
1990 Grammy: Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male - Winner
1992 Golden Globe: Best Original Song - Motion Picture - Nominee
2008 Emmy: Outstanding Special Class - Not-exclusively-made-for-television Variety, Music, Comedy Event Programs - Winner
College:
Attended Kingston College of Art, Kingston-Upon-Thames, England