How do you sum up the career of one of the most famous composers and performers in modern rock history? Clapton’s style is so unique that it refuses any classification. Secondly, his music has spanned the rock, blues and melodic realms with equal intensity and creative outburst.
Born 75 years ago in the county of Surrey, he has been on stage since he was 20, with the Bluesbreakers. Then he played with the Yardbirds and the successful trio Cream. The rest is history.
A Song Master
Clapton is not only a great performer. In fact, his talent as composer has given us some of the best songs and ballads of the last few decades, including Wonderful Tonight, Lay
la, Cocaine and Tears in Heaven.
By playing his most famous guitar, a Fender Stratocaster named Blackie, he has taught us that you don’t need tons of notes to make your artistic point; you have to strike the right ones.
Collaborations
During his career he has teamed up with many great musicians, putting his guitar playing and talent at the service of the most diverse artistic projects. The most successful collaborations include the Allman Brothers, Steve Winwood, B.B. King, Sting, Santana, Mark Knopfler, George Harrison and John Mayall, just to name a few.