Eric Clapton: Happy Birthday

Guitarist Eric Clapton, sometimes known as "Slowhand," is 66 today.

One of my all-time favorite Clapton songs:



Another one of my favorite Clapton songs, whilst with Cream:



Born on March 30th of 1945 -- a British war baby -- he is the only three-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Clapton ranked fourth in Rolling Stone's Greatest 100 Guitarists Of All Time.

He began his professional life as a guitarist with the Yardbirds in 1963 (which later featured Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page). Clapton, a blues purist of sorts, left the Yardbirds to join John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers in 1965.

He left Mayall to form Cream in 1966 with bass player Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker.

At that time, Clapton was 21, Jack Bruce was 23 (b. 1943) and Ginger Baker was 27 (b. 1939).

From there Clapton went on to the groups Blind Faith, then Derek and the Dominos (1970). That album featured "Layla," a song inspired by the unrequited love of Clapton to George Harrison's wife, Pattie Boyd Harrison.

Following, his career was only solo.

God bless, Slowhand.

You've given millions of people a diversion from their own personal trials and tribulations.

BZ