On This Day

Eric Clapton

Rocker, Blues Guitarist and Singer-Songwriter Eric Clapton
Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com

Profession: Rocker, Blues Guitarist and Singer-Songwriter

Nationality:
England
English

Biography: One of the most important and influential guitarists of all time.

Clapton has received 18 Grammy Awards and the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. In 2004, he was awarded a CBE at Buckingham Palace for services to music.

Born: March 30, 1945
Birthplace: Ripley, Surrey, England
Age: 77 years old

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Rooster
Star Sign: Aries

Articles and Photos

Married Life

  • 1979-05-19 British guitarist Eric Clapton (34) marries model and George Harrison's ex-wife Pattie Boyd (35); divorce in 1989
  • 2002-01-01 British guitar legend Eric Clapton (56) weds Melia McEnery (25) at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Surrey, London

Historical Events

  • 1965-03-13 British guitarist Eric Clapton quits the Yardbirds due to the band moving away from traditional blues; Jeff Beck becomes his replacement
  • 1968-09-06 Eric Clapton records guitar tracks for George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
  • 1969-06-07 Supergroup Blind Faith's debut performance in Hyde Park, London, featuring Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Steve Baler and Rick Grech
  • 1969-09-13 Plastic Ono Band's 1st live performance, featuring John Lennon, Yoko Ono and Eric Clapton, the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival festival
  • 1971-08-01 George Harrison's benefit concerts for Bangladesh (2 shows) take place at Madison Square Garden, NYC; performers include Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Ravi Shankar, Eric Clapton, Billy Preston, and Leon Russell
  • 1992-01-16 Eric Clapton performs for an episode of MTV "Unplugged" at Bray Film Studios in Windsor, England. Recording won six Grammy Awards, and became Clapton's bestselling album, and the bestselling live album of all time
  • 1993-02-24 35th Grammy Awards: "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton wins
  • 1999-01-11 26th American Music Awards: Celine Dion & Eric Clapton win
  • 2000-03-06 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Eric Clapton; Earth, Wind, and Fire; Lovin' Spoonful; The Moonglows; Bonnie Raitt; James Taylor; Nat King Cole; Billie Holiday; Hal Blaine; "King" Curtis; James Jamerson; Scotty Moore; Earl Palmer; and Clive Davis
  • 2002-11-29 "The Concert for George", a benefit memorial to George Harrison held at the Royal Albert Hall, London, features Eric Clapton; Paul McCartney; Ringo Starr; Jeff Lynne; Tom Petty; Joe Brown; Anoushka Shankar; Billy Preston; and members of Monty Python

Famous Blues Musicians

Famous Guitarists

Search the largest, most accurate site for today in history.