Eric Clapton

Name: Eric Patrick Clapton.
Born: 30th March, 1945. (Surrey, England).

Profile: An English blues-rock guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer. A solo performer, as a member of rock bands; "The Yardbirds" and "Cream". He is the only person ever to be inducted three times. Often viewed by critics and fans alike as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time.

History: Eric was raised in a musical household. His father was a gifted musician, playing piano in several dance bands in the Surrey area. By 1958, Rock and Roll had exploded onto the world. For his 13th birthday, Eric asked for a guitar. Finding the inexpensive German-made Hoyer difficult to play - it had steel strings - he put it aside. In 1961, when he was 16, he learned to play guitar and listening to blues.

In October 1963, Clapton joined "The Yardbirds", a blues-influenced rock and roll band until March 1965. Clapton forged a distinctive style and rapidly became one of the most talked-about guitarists in the British music scene. After "The Yardbirds" he joined "Bluesbreakers" just in a brief of time and left in 1966 to formed Cream, one of the earliest supergroups. In the 70's he formed another supergroups called "Derek and the Dominos" and after that we went solo until now.

Influences: Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gary Moore, Duane Allman, Derek Trucks, Eddie Van Halen, Orianthi, John Mayer, Brad Paisley, Alex Lifeson, Freddie King, B.B. King, Albert King, Buddy Guy and Hubert Sumlin.

Axology: Fender Stratocaster, Jim Dunlop Cry Baby wah-wah pedal and Martin 00-42; late Fifties Fender Twin.

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AscPOozwYA8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PI4S83OzeM

"The only education I ever really had was finding out about the blues. I mean, I wanted to know everything." - Eric Clapton.