Eric Clapton

Biography

Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945) is an English guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist, and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time. Clapton ranked fourth in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and fourth in Gibson's Top 50 Guitarists of All Time. In the mid sixties, Clapton left the Yardbirds to play blues with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. In his one-year stay with Mayall, Clapton gained the nickname "Slowhand", and graffiti in London declared "Clapton is God." Immediately after leaving Mayall, Clapton formed with drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce, the power trio, Cream, in which Clapton played sustained blues improvisations and "arty, blues-based psychedelic pop." For most of the seventies, Clapton's output bore the influence of the mellow style of J.J. Cale and the reggae of Bob Marley. His version of Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" helped gain reggae a mass market. Two of his most popular recordings were "Layla", recorded by Derek and the Dominos, and Robert Johnson's "Crossroads", recorded by Cream. A recipient of seventeen Grammy Awards, in 2004 Clapton was awarded a CBE for services to music. In 1998 Clapton, a recovering alcoholic and drug addict, founded the Crossroads Centre on Antigua, a medical facility for recovering substance abusers. Description above from the Wikipedia article Eric Clapton, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Known For

Saturday Night Live

Top Gear

MTV Video Music Awards

CBS News Sunday Morning

Omnibus

20/20

An Audience with...

Parkinson

All Movies (171)

• Billy Preston: That's the Way God Planned It2026 · as Self
• Pino2025 · as Self
• Eric Clapton Unplugged… Over 30 Years Later2025 · as Guitar / Vocals
• The Yardbirds: In Their Own Words2024
• Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival 20232024 · as Self
• Eric Clapton: To Save A Child - An Intimate Live Concert2024 · as Self
• Eric Clapton: The Definitive 24 Nights - Rock2023 · as Self - Vocals, Guitar
• Eric Clapton - The Definitive 24 Nights - Blues2023 · as Himself
• Eric Clapton: The Definitive 24 Nights - Orchestral2023 · as Himself
• Revival69: The Concert That Rocked the World2023 · as Self (archive footage)
• Eric Clapton: Across 24 Nights2023 · as Self (archive footage)
• Jimmie & Stevie Ray Vaughan: Brothers in Blues2023 · as Self
• Eric Clapton - Nothing But The Blues2022 · as Self
• Kalvøyafestivalen - 50 år siden første riff2021 · as Self (archive footage)
• Eric Clapton: The Lady in the Balcony - Lockdown Sessions2021 · as Self - Guitars and Vocals
• Buddy Guy: The Blues Chase the Blues Away2021
• The Dancing Man of L.A.2021 · as Self (archive footage)
• Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 20192020 · as Self
• Chuck Leavell: The Tree Man2020 · as Self
• The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart2020 · as Self
• Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band2020 · as Self
• The Quiet One2019 · as Self
• Echo in the Canyon2019 · as Self
• ReMastered: Devil at the Crossroads2019 · as Self
• Jeff Beck: Still on the Run2018 · as Self
• Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars2018 · as Self
• Eric Clapton - Live in San Diego2017 · as Self
• Monochrome: Black, White & Blue2017
• Deconstructing the Beatles' White Album2016 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Beatles 1+2015
• Eric Clapton: Slowhand at 70 - Live at The Royal Albert Hall2015 · as Lead Vocal, Guitars
• Play It Loud: The Story of Marshall2014 · as Self
• Eric Clapton - Planes, Trains and Eric2014 · as Self
• John Mayer: Someday I'll Fly2014 · as Self
• Delaney & Bonnie & Friends: Live In Denmark 19692014 · as Self
• Eric Clapton - Give Me Strength: The 74-75 Recordings2013
• Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 20132013 · as Self
• Eric Clapton Live At Baloise Session2013 · as Self - Guitar, Vocals
• Eric Clapton - Live on Basel2013 · as Self - Vocals, Guitar
• 12-12-12 | The Concert for Sandy Relief2012 · as Self
• Beware of Mr. Baker2012 · as Self
• B.B. King: The Life of Riley2012 · as Self
• Close Up2012 · as Self (archive footage)
• Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton Play the Blues - Live from Jazz at Lincoln Center2011 · as Self
• The Love We Make2011 · as Self
• Let’s Spend the Night Together: Confessions of Rock’s Greatest Groupies2010 · as archive footage
• Eric Clapton: Wonderful Tonight - Live in Japan 20092010 · as Self - Vocals, Guitar
• Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 20102010 · as Self
• The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth2010 · as Self
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live - Start Me Up2010 · as Self
• A Concert by the Lake2010 · as Self
• The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concerts2009 · as Self (archive footage)
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live - Light My Fire2009 · as Himself
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live - Whole Lotta Shakin'2009 · as Self
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Live - Feelin' Alright2009
• Joe Bonamassa: Live from the Royal Albert Hall2009 · as Guest Guitarist
• Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood: Live from Madison Square Garden2009 · as Self
• Blues at the BBC2009 · as Self
• Allman Brothers Band - With Eric Clapton at the Beacon Theatre, NYC2009 · as Himself
• Eric Clapton: Live at Budokan2009 · as Self (guitar / vocals)
• The Beatles: Parting Ways2009 · as Self
• The Story of the Yardbirds2008 · as Self
• Jeff Beck: Performing This Week... Live At Ronnie Scott's2008 · as Guest Guitarist
• Eric Clapton: Masterpieces2008 · as Self
• Pavarotti The Duets2008 · as Self
• Icons: 15 Classic Tracks from the Gods of Rock2008 · as Himself
• Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 20072007 · as Self
• Atlantic Records: The House That Ahmet Built2007 · as Self
• Classic Albums: Cream - Disraeli Gears2006 · as Self
• Before the Music Dies2006 · as Self - Musician
• Buddy Guy Can't Quit The Blues2006
• Eric Clapton - Live at Montreux 19862006 · as Self
• Blind Faith: London Hyde Park 19692006 · as Himself
• Eric Clapton: After Midnight Live2006 · as Himself - Vocals, Lead Guitar
• J. J. Cale: To Tulsa And Back (On Tour with J. J. Cale)2006 · as Himself
• The Passing Show: The Life and Music of Ronnie Lane2006 · as Himself
• Otis Rush & Friends - Live At Montreux 19862006 · as Himself
• CREAM - Sunshine of your love2006 · as self
• George Harrison & Friends - The Concert for Bangladesh Revisited2005 · as Self
• Cream: Royal Albert Hall2005 · as Himself - Guitar, Vocals
• Scotty Moore & Friends: A Tribute to the King2005 · as Self
• Eric Clapton - Back Home2005 · as Himself
• Live Aid: 20 Years Ago Today2005 · as Self
• Classic Artists: Cream – Their Fully Authorized Story2005 · as Himself
• Eric Clapton: Sessions for Robert J2004 · as Self
• Live Aid2004 · as Self
• Zucchero | Zu and co.: Live at Royal Albert Hall2004 · as Self
• Tom Dowd & The Language of Music2004 · as Self
• Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival2004 · as Self
• John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers And Friends: 70th Birthday Concert2003 · as Self
• Ringo Rama2003 · as Himself
• Concert for George2003 · as Self
• Red, White and Blues2003 · as Self
• Willie Nelson & Friends: Live and Kickin'2003 · as Self
• Eric Clapton and Friends2003 · as Self
• Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace2002 · as Self - Performer
• Eric Clapton - Live in Hyde Park2001 · as Himself - Guitar, Vocals
• The Concert for New York City2001 · as Self
• Eric Clapton: One More Car One More Rider2001 · as Self - Lead Vocals, Guitar
• John Lee Hooker - That's My Story2001
• Eric Clapton Live at Budokan, Tokyo2001 · as Himself - Vocals, Guitar
• Eric Clapton: This Song for George2001
• MTV Unplugged: Classic Moments2000 · as Self
• Eric Clapton & Friends in Concert1999 · as Self
• Clapton Chronicles: The Best of Eric Clapton1999 · as Self
• Eric Clapton: Standing at the Crossroads1999 · as Self
• David Sanborn & Friends - The Super Session II1999
• Brian Wilson’s Imagination1998 · as Self
• Blues Brothers 20001998 · as The Louisiana Gator Boys
• Babyface: MTV Unplugged NYC 19971997 · as Self - Vocals
• Music for Montserrat1997 · as Self
• Legends – Live At Montreux1997 · as Self
• The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus1996 · as Self - Guitar
• A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan1996 · as Self
• Pavarotti & Friends 4 - For War Child1996 · as Self
• Robbie Robertson: Going Home1995 · as Self
• Robbie Robertson: A Retrospective - From the Band to the Rock'n'Roll Hall Of Fame1994 · as Himself
• Curves Contours & Body Horns1993 · as Self
• Bob Dylan: The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration1993 · as Self
• Yardbirds1992 · as Himself
• Eric Clapton - MTV Unplugged1992
• George Harrison: Live in Japan1991
• Two Rooms: A Tribute to Elton John & Bernie Taupin1991 · as Self - Guest
• My Sweet Lord in the Far East1991 · as Self
• Cream: Strange Brew1991 · as Himself
• Eric Clapton: 24 Nights1991 · as Self
• Silver Clef Award Winners Show, Knebworth Park1990 · as Self
• Eric Clapton: The Master At Work1990 · as Himself
• The Prince's Trust Rock Gala1990 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Cream of Eric Clapton1990 · as Self
• Eric Clapton: The Man & His Music1990 · as Himself
• The Best of All Star Band: Live in Concert1990 · as Self
• The Rolling Stones - Steel Wheels Live1989 · as Self - Special Guest
• Prince: Musical Portrait1989 · as Self
• Eric Clapton: Philadelphia 19881988 · as lead vocals, guitar
• Eric Clapton at Tokyo Dome1988 · as Self
• Dire Straits with Eric Clapton - Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute1988 · as guitar
• Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute1988 · as Self
• Prince's Trust Rock Gala - Volume 31988 · as Self
• The Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Concert1988 · as Self
• Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll1987 · as Self
• Prince's Trust Rock Gala - Volume 21987 · as Self
• B.B. King & Friends1987 · as Self
• All Star Concert1986 · as Self
• Prince's Trust Rock Gala - Volume 11986 · as Self - Performer
• Eric Clapton and Friends: Live 19861986 · as Self
• Rock 'N' Roll Goldmine: The Sixties1986 · as Self
• An Audience with Billy Connolly1985 · as Self - Audience Member (uncredited)
• Carl Perkins & Friends: Blue Suede Shoes - A Rockabilly Session1985 · as Self
• Live Aid1985 · as Self
• Eric Clapton: Live Now1985
• Water1985 · as Himself - The Singing Rebels' Band
• Superstars in Concert1984 · as Self
• The A.R.M.S. Benefit Concert from London1983 · as Self
• Chas & Dave’s Christmas Knees-Up1982 · as Himself
• The Secret Policeman's Other Ball1982 · as Self
• The Last Waltz1978 · as Self
• Eric Clapton and His Rolling Hotel1978 · as Self
• Circasia1976 · as Clown
• Tommy1975 · as The Preacher
• Jimi Hendrix1973 · as Self
• The Concert for Bangladesh1972 · as Self
• Sweet Toronto1971 · as Self
• Cucumber Castle1970 · as Eric Clapton
• Supershow1969 · as Himself
• Cream: Farewell Concert1969 · as Himself
• All My Loving1968 · as Self
• Eric Clapton & Buddy Guy - South Bank Session— · as Himself
• Life Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson— · as Self
• Spinal Tap at Stonehenge: The Final Finale— · as Eric Clapton
• Warner Music Group Does DVD Volume 2—

All TV Shows (19)

• Laurel Canyon2020 · as Self
• Monochrome: Black, White & Blue2017 · as Self
• Soundbreaking2016 · as Self
• George Harrison: Living in the Material World2011 · as Self
• The Jay Leno Show2009 · as Self
• Seven Ages of Rock2007 · as Self
• Top Gear2002 · as Self
• Parkinson1998 · as Self
• Classic Albums1997 · as Self
• The Frank Skinner Show1995 · as Self
• MTV Unplugged1989 · as Self
• MTV Video Music Awards1984 · as Self
• CBS News Sunday Morning1979 · as Self
• 20/201978
• An Audience with...1978 · as Self
• The Secret Policeman's Ball1976 · as Self
• Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self - Musical Guest
• Omnibus1967 · as Self
• Hör hin, schau zu!1965 · as Self