Eric Clapton Turned 75 Today

Eric (Slowhand) Clapton turned 75 today. He was one of a handful of rock guitarists who inspired me to learn how to play guitar back in the early 70's. My album collection contains every one of his solo LPs, as well as those from his old band, Cream. I was lucky enough to see him perform live at an outdoor concert venue back in 1985, on his Behind the Sun Tour.

Today, when I look back at all the classic songs and riffs he has come up with over the years, as well as all the great live gigs he has participated in, it just boggles my mind. He's had some ups and downs during his life, battling both alcohol and heroin addiction, but he persevered.

From the pages of "Clapton: An Autobiography"

I had no notion who I thought I was talking to, I just knew that I had come to the end of my tether, I had nothing left to fight with. Then I remembered what I had heard about surrender, something I thought I could never do, my pride just wouldn’t allow it, but I knew that on my own I wasn’t going to make it, so I asked for help, and getting down on my knees, I surrendered.

Within a few days I realized that something had happened for me. An atheist would probably say it was just a change of attitude, and to a certain extent that’s true, but there was much more to it than that. I had found a place to turn to, a place I’d always known was there but never really wanted, or needed, to believe in. From that day until this, I have never failed to pray in the morning, on my knees, asking for help, and at night to express gratitude for my life and, most of all, for my sobriety. I choose to kneel because I feel I need to humble myself when I pray, and with my ego, this is the most I can do.

Since he has been such an influential artist for so many people, including myself, I decided to include a few photos and videos in my thread to celebrate his B-Day.








Cream Live At The Revolution Club...1968


The Band & Eric Clapton...1976:


"Cocaine" Live At The Royal Albert Hall...2015

a reply to: shawmanfromny

Just been listening to "you look wonderful tonight" Coinkidink, thanks for letting me know, wife will love that 👍

a reply to: shawmanfromny

a reply to: shawmanfromny

Nice to hear he's still rockin'.

He nearly died when he went back into his burning house to retrieve a guitar.

My parents went to college with him and my mum is still pissed off he didn't fancy her....lol

a reply to: shawmanfromny

The missus was just telling me what happened to his kid.. How sad☹️

a reply to: shawmanfromny

Clapton is God

I missed him in Cream and I missed him in the Yardbirds but I did see him with Windwood in Blind Faith.

a reply to: shawmanfromny

Thanks for the reminder!

Seems appropriate to post a link to 'Crossroads', from 1968.

youtu.be...

Sublime.