hennemusic

Happy birthday to Eric Clapton, who turns 65 today.

Well, where do you start to talk about the career of one of music’s most iconic figures…

The Yardbirds
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
Cream
Blind Faith
The Plastic Ono Band
Delaney And Bonnie And Friends
Derek & The Dominos

Currently on the road with openers like Jeff Beck, Roger Daltrey and Steve Winwood, I thought a few interesting facts about Eric would help to mark the occasion.

How did Eric get the nickname “Slowhand”?

During his time with The Yardbirds, when Clapton would break a guitar string during a show, he’d simply stay on stage and replace it. (Can you imagine??) Audiences would wait through the unscheduled break by doing a ‘slow handclap’, which band manager Giorgio Gomelsky shortened to ‘slowhand’…and it stuck.

Why did Clapton leave The Yardbirds in 1965?

Eric left on the verge of the group’s first hit single, “For Your Love,” because, as a blues purist, he didn’t like the “pop” direction the band was taking at the time.

Eric played on which Beatles song?

Clapton was brought in by pal George Harrison to play on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

Who is Layla?

"Lalya" was written by Clapton for Patti Boyd, the wife of his good friend, and ex-Beatle, George Harrison. Eric eventually married her.

Eric’s Canadian roots

Eric’s mom was only 16 when he was born; not something that was generally talked about in the mid-40s. As a result, Clapton’s mother left him to be raised by his grandparents, but he was told they were his parents. At the age of 53, Eric discovered that his father was a Canadian pilot named Edward Fryer, who, at the age of 24, was overseas when he hooked up with his mother before being shipped off to war prior to Eric’s birth.

Conquering his alcoholism in 1982, Eric opened what facility to help others?

In 1997, Eric opened the Crossroads Center in Antigua, as a treatment center for addictive disorders due to drugs and alcohol. Over the years, Clapton has sold many guitars from his collection to help raise funds for the project.

Long Live Slowhand!

The Dirty Mac - The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus - Yer Blues

The Dirty Mac - Yer Blues (1968)
John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards (bass), Mitch Mitchell
From The Rolling Stones Rock N Roll Circus