Eric Clapton is a Genius

     Eric Patrick Clapton was born on 30 March 1945 in his grandparents home in Surrey, England.  Eric's mother, Patricia Molly Clapton, was only 16 years old when she gave birth to him.  His father was a Canadian soldier stationed in England.  24-years-old, Edward Walter Fryer already had a wife back in Canada, and returned to her before Eric's birth. 

 

     

    An unmarried 16 year old girl raising a child on her own is unthinkable and did not work out for Patricia.  It is especially hard to do in the mid 1940's amidst the ages of fundamental changes in society and young generation's revolutions. She couldn't handle it, and her parents (Eric's grandparents) took care of Eric and raised him as their own. Eric ended up thinking that his mother was his sister, and his grandparents his real parents.  

        Eric Clapton's background of music makes it easier to understand why his music is widely known and very influential to many other musicians.  He grew up in a house with musical notes dancing before his eyes, 24/7.  His grandmother played piano, and his mother constantly took him to see bands perform.  

    For his 13th birthday he asked for a guitar and got an inexpensive 

German made Hoyer.  He found it too hard to play, and waited for an electric guitar.  When he turned 17, he joined the Roosters, his first band.  When he heard B.B. King play, he asked for a electric guitar from his grandparents, who helped him achieve that guitar, and his career took off from there. 

         

His Albums: 

24 Nights Album

461 Ocean Boulevard Album

Another Ticket Album

August Album

Back Home Album

Backless (24K Gold Disc) Album

Behind The Sun Album

Blues Album

Bluesbreakers Album

Clapton Chronicles: The Best of Eric Clapton 1981-1999 Album

Cream Of Album

Crossroads Album

Crossroads 2 Album

Early Stages Album

Eric Clapton Album

E.C. Was Here Album

From The Cradle Album

Journeyman Album

Just One Night Album

Me and Mr. Johnson Album

Money & Cigarettes Album

No Reason To Cry Album

Pilgrim Album

Rainbow Concert (Remastered) Album

Rarities (with The Yardbirds) Album

Reptile Album

Slowhand Album

There's One In Every Crowd Album

Timepieces-Best Of Eric Clapton Album

Timepieces 2 Album

Unplugged Album  

   Eric Clapton should be inducted into the wonders of Rock n' Roll.  His music is pure and fascinating, with an equally melodic voice.  I have learned "Layla" by him on acoustic guitar, as well as "Tears in Heaven."  The song "Tears in Heaven" is a wonderful yet poignant song about the death of his son.  A bizarre death.  His son, Connor, fell 53 stories out of the open window of a New York skyscraper.  This tragic story filled Clapton with emotions and poured them into his songwriting.  

       This is not the only reason why I believe he is such an amazing songwriter/singer.  I feel that his music has touched me, and the more songs of his I learn, the more I tend to think Eric Clapton is a genius.