Description
This portrait of Eric Clapton by Drew Friedman was commissioned by a devoted Clapton fan in honor of the legendary British rocker’s 70th birthday, which fell on March 30, 2015.
“Slowhand” segued from John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers to the Yardbirds to Cream, and from Blind Faith to Derek & the Dominos, with countless solo and collaborative projects in between and after. His session log includes the Beatles, the Stones …. etc. etc. etc. …. 18 Grammy Awards … etc. etc. …. Pink Floyd … etc. etc. … Phil Collins … etc. etc. … Royal Albert Hall, Madison Square Garden, Buckingham Palace … etc. etc. … Rock and Roll Hall of Fame … etc. etc. etc. There’s a lot more ETC., which tends to happen when you remain a vital performer for over 50 years.
There’s nothing to add about Clapton that isn’t widely known, but we’ll share an anecdote you won’t read in any biographical literature. Our dear, late friend Don Brockway (who wrote the Bob & Ray bio on this site) told us his father worked for a major US record label in the 1960s and ’70s, but dad wasn’t “hip” to music kids were listening to. Don’s dad came home one day in the late ’60s and boasted that his company had just signed “Eric Clampton and the Creams.” The label also signed James Brown, and Don’s dad had his picture taken with the King of Soul, but didn’t know who he was either. “My dad was hired not for his musical experience and knowledge, but for his business expertise,” said Don. “Perhaps he was hired because he didn’t know or care who these people were.”