Eric Clapton Biography

Fast Facts

• Opened the Crossroads Centre, a medical facility for substance abusers, in Antigua in 1998 and has since organized several Crossroads Guitar Festivals to benefit the center
• Ranked No․ 2 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time
• With his induction in 2000, he became the first musician to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times, with the Yardbirds, Cream and as a solo artist
• Raised by his grandparents in a musical household, he got his first guitar at the age of 13 and joined his first group, the Roosters, at 18
• Quote: "[on the future of the guitar] "The guitar is in safe hands ․․․ It's about soul and character․ It's about humility and the willingness to learn, to be of service to the music․ There's always going to be someone ․․․ who is curious․""
• Quote: "I'm a messenger․ That's been my vocation for most of my life, showing people, 'Look, this got to me․ Maybe you'll like it too․'"
• Has been a solo artist for the majority of his career, with short stints as a member of the Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith and others
• Legendary rock and blues guitarist, singer and songwriter best known for his hit songs "Layla," "Cocaine," "Lay Down Sally," "Crossroads" and "Tears in Heaven․"
• His 1974 cover of the Bob Marley song "I Shot the Sheriff" helped to introduce reggae music to a wider audience
• During his time with the Bluesbreakers in the mid-1960s, he earned the nickname "Slowhand" and inspired graffiti reading "Clapton Is God" all around London