Eric Clapton - Marc Roberty

Eric Clapton was brought up by foster-parents, started listening to the blues when he was 15, bought his first guitar at 17 and taught himself to play.;He formed his first band in 1963 - a rhythm & blues outfit called Roosters. Later that year he joined The Yardbirds, where he established his reputation as a blues stylist. Leaving The Yardbirds in 1965, he went on to join John Mayall's Bluesbreakers where he attracted more followers and began to be recognised as a major influence - hailed the guitar hero. In 1967 he formed Cream and experienced his first taste of major commercial success. However, Cream folded in 1968 and between then and about 1970 he pursued several projects.;He made his first solo album in 1970 and then went on to join Derek & The Dominoes. It was the relative failure of this band, coupled with an increasing drug problem which took Clapton off the music scene for several years. Since 1974 he has pursued a fairly low profile career, making relaxed, down-home albums, occasionally coming up with hit singles and performing sporadic live dates.;He is now seen as one of the greatest guitarists of all time and manages to achieve high chart status for every new album as well as sell-out tours. He has a truckload of awards in including a Grammy for the single Bad Love.;This book examines the man behind the myth, touching on Clapton's own personal tragedies including the death of his son Conor, the break-up of his marriage and other relationships, and his battle with drug addiction.