Clapton

Written by Eric Clapton
Format: MP3 Written by: Eric Clapton
Narrated by: Simon Vance
Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins Format: Unabridged | view Abridged
Publisher's Summary Eric Clapton is far more than a rock star. Like Dylan and McCartney, he is an icon and a living legend. He has sold tens of millions of records, played sell-out concerts all over the world, and been central to the significant musical developments of his era. His guitar playing has seen him hailed as "God". Tracks such as "Layla", "Sunshine of Your Love", "Wonderful Tonight", and "Tears in Heaven" have become anthems for generations of music fans. Now, for the first time, Eric tells the story of his personal and professional journeys in this pungent, witty, and painfully honest autobiography.
Eric was born illegitimate in 1945 and raised by his grandparents. He never knew his father, and until the age of nine believed his absentee mother to be his sister. In his teens his solace was the guitar, and he soon became a cult hero in the club circuits of Britain. With the foundation of the world's first super-group, Cream, in 1966, he became a world superstar. But the rock-star lifestyle has had a darker side. In more than 40 years at the forefront of his profession, he has twice survived near fatal addictions to drugs and alcohol, the death of his four-year-old son, the deaths of friends such as Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon, the break-up of marriage, and the disintegration of relationships with a succession of beautiful women. These are the memoirs of a survivor, someone who has reached the pinnacle of success, who has had it all, but whose demons have never left him. At the age of 62, Eric is now ready to tell his story as it is, hiding nothing, with a directness and searing honesty that will make this book one of the most compelling memoirs of our time
What the Critics Say "Both the youthful excesses and the current calm state are narrated with an engaging tone that nudges Clapton's story ahead of other rock 'n' roll memoirs." (Publishers Weekly)
"Clapton is honest - sometimes, as in the account of his son's death, even searing - and often witty, with a hard-won survivor's humor." (The New York Times)
"Very enjoyable" I enjoyed the book. There were points in there where I felt like you do at some movies – you want to tell the person not to open the door because there is a monster or something outside. Its hard to know how “accurate” it is, but there is a clear attempt at honesty, and an attempt to make you understand what Eric was thinking (or not thinking) when he was doing things. There are some surprises – without ruining it for anyone, one of the biggest surprises to me is how much he has always been into fashion. Anyway, its all there: the Yardbirds, Cream, John Mayall, Derek and the Dominoes, his love for Patty, George Harrison’s wife; his addiction to heroin and his even more debilitating alcoholism. He talks about how some of his big hits came about; what makes a guitar “good”; getting wasted and being sober
"A Confessional Autobiography" I have followed Eric Clapton’s career. He is a complete guitarist, able to play in any genre, and able to collaborate with any artist. He plays electric, acoustic guitar, and slide guitar. This book is almost a confessional of his drug and alcohol use and his bad treatment of some people he used in his life. In his 62 years, he has been involved with an enviable number of beautiful young women. His chapters coincide with his albums and the band he played with. Unfortunately, Clapton makes little mention of the various guitarists he collaborated with. Duane Allman gets two paragraphs though these two pushed each other into making one of the all-time great guitar albums, Layla and other Love Songs. Fans of Clapton as a musician will find little here about the musical aspects of his career. This information has to be sought out in the many interviews he gives in various magazines. In all other aspects, this is a great read.
"Excellent, excellent, EXCELLENT!!!" If you could sum up Clapton in three words, what would they be? Just finished listening to "Clapton" by Eric Clapton. He writes how CranioSacral Therapy helped his youngest daughter when (as a newborn) she was unable to latch onto her mom's breast, and had colic. She had immediate relief after the first session. I was so impressed with his intelligence. Due to his journaling throughout his life, this book chronicles his experiences with such detail... making this a fascinating read. I was sorry it was over. What was one of the most memorable moments of Clapton? It's not a moment, but instead my astonishment at how intelligent he is. Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry? It was a profound walk down memory lane, as he is only a few years older than I am. Any additional comments? Simply outstanding!