LIFE AND TIMES “Eric Clapton” - 2021 A survivor of “The Golden Age”, Clapton has conquered drugs, Liquor, bands with a myriad of egos and continues his journey down the chosen road. Often rated 2nd on the list of 100 greatest guitarist, Rolling Stone always list Hendrix as #1 which is absurd.
Once Noted as “Clapton is God”, he was one of the chosen few who excelled in any band he played with. When you played as a gifted youthful guitarist, there are a who played as well but none played better ( David Gilmore, Jeff Beck, Jorma Kaukonen, Pete Townsend, Terry Haggerty and Jerry Miller).
A few continue to be maestros at their chosen craft while other have reached the point without practice that the dexterity has vanished. Rumors abounded when Eric was losing his touch but again, he conquered that medicinal malady and at 76 years old, influenced others with various guitars and while playing with various bands, a model of consistency was his gift and many idolized and emulated Eric through the years. Personal complications were huge news for tabloids but we have all dealt with personal demons and you can’t believe sensationalism.
His resume is a storied past with bands that should be in the asylum known as The Hall Of Fame. Some are already there and a few are rarely mentioned. Derek & The Domino’s, Delaney & Bonnie, The Blues Makers although even with designed limitations by Jann Wenner (Who no longer is the CEO of The Hall of Fame), Eric had humbly been inducted three times.
During his troubled days, his baroque vocals augmented with his precision as a guitarist would still draw the Masses too sold out arenas. These were manic appearances as he struggled with his demons but “Clapton id God” still resonated across the globe.
He remains laconic, not a wordsmith but he remains ardent with his career and future, an avatar from “psychedelia”, “the blues” and “rock n’ roll”. In a genre in dire need of music that defines multiple generation, he remains a musical warrior to crowds across the globe. Don Aters - 2021
