Eric Clapton is an English singer-songwriter who can boast of being not only considered to this day as one of the best guitarists in the world, but also of having received no less than 18 Grammy Awards and also of having sold to around 280 million records around the world, just that !
Artist who really started his artistic career in 1963 at the age of 17 by joining a first group called 'The Roosters', a group in which he stayed for a little over 6 months.
A year 1963 which will see him join another group at the end of the year and not the least since it is the 'Yardbirds', a group with which he will collaborate until 1965 and with which he will experience his first big success with the title “For your love”.
He left the 'Yarbirds' in 1965, finding them too 'commercial' for his tastes, and joined 'John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers', a group with which he stayed for about 2 years. Two years which this time will not allow him to experience the slightest success…
He was found in the group 'Cream' from mid-1966, a group in which he remained for approximately 3 years. A very fruitful collaboration this time since he produced with this group a significant number of top hits including “I feel free” in 1966, “Strange brew” in 1967, but also and above all “Sunshine of your love” , “Anyone for tennis” and “White room” in 1968 as well as “Badge” in 1969.
We will also find him during this single year 1969 within a group that was, to say the least, ephemeral called 'Blind Faith' but also alongside the duo 'Delaney & Bonnie'.
His solo career began in 1970, when his first Single “After Midnight” was released. And for a first solo title it is particularly successful since it will offer the artist his first major global success. Title present on his first eponymous album which will be released the same year and which will also be popular with the public.
Also in 1970, return in group mode this time with 'Derek And The Dominos' on the title “Tell the truth”. A group whose existence was once again reduced to say the least and with which he would experience only one real success with the title “Layla” two years later in 1972.
A particularly complicated start to the 1970s for the artist to manage with a strong dependence on drugs and then alcohol, which forced him to isolate himself sporadically.
This did not prevent him from coming back in force in 1974 with his new solo album "461 Ocean Boulevard", an album which propelled the artist to the forefront of the international scene this time more than certain, notably thanks to the title " I shot the sheriff.”
A year later, the album “There’s one in every crowd” was released in 1975, an album with less success than its predecessor but success all the same. Album which will mainly produce the title “Swing low, sweet chariot”.
At the rate of one album per year, it was the turn of “No reason to cry” to be released in 1976. An album which allowed the artist to return to the front of the race, notably thanks to the high-calibre Single “Hello old friend”.
Then it was the turn of “Slowhand” to be released in 1977, an album which clearly confirmed the fact that the artist was truly one of the phenomena of the moment. The album will be a huge global hit and produce the two huge Singles “Lay down Sally” and “Wonderful tonight”.
A 70s decade which ended in style with the release in 1978 of the album “Backless”, an album from which the flagship Single “Promises” was mainly taken.
A success which did not fade at the very beginning of the following decade when in 1981 the album “Another ticket” was released, an album which brilliantly confirmed that the artist was still in the race, particularly with the title “I can't stand it ".
The same goes for “Money and cigarettes” which was released in 1983, an album which will not remain as the highest ranked of all but which will still produce the top hit “I’ve got a Rock ‘n’ Roll heart”.
The great adventure continued in 1985 with the release of the album “Behind the sun”, an album which gave him one of his biggest successes with the enormous Single “Forever man”. Album followed the following year by a new album called “August”, an album which was released in 1986 and from which the title “Tearing us apart” was mainly extracted, which was released a year later in 1987.
But that’s without counting on the album “Journeyman”, an album which will masterfully close a decade which saw the artist maintain a most impressive level of success. Album which produced 2 new top hits with “Pretending” in 1989 and “Bad love” which was released a year later in 1990.
He will show in a masterful way in 1992 that he is good in all areas, including in the soundtracks with the title “Tears in Heaven”, a flagship title that will be found on the soundtrack of the film 'Rush'. Title written in tribute to her 4-year-old son who died following a fall from the 53rd floor of the apartment where he was staying with one of his mother's friends.
A 90s decade where he didn't give up with the release in 1994 of what will undoubtedly remain one of his biggest albums, namely "From the cradle", an album which paradoxically struggled to produce the slightest hit of an equivalent level to its predecessors …
In the series of successful soundtracks, it is the turn of the title “Change the world” to be a hit all over the planet, a title that we will find in 1996 on the soundtrack of the film 'Phenomenon'.
Huge new album “Pilgrim” at the end of the 90s, an album which would be his last to be ranked at such a level and which would produce the flagship Single “My father’s eyes” in 1998.
We continue with the successful soundtracks at the very end of the decade with on the one hand “Blue eyes Blue” for the film 'Runaway bride' and “(I) Get lost” for the film 'The story of us', two titles which will be released the same year namely 1999.
An incredible adventure which will continue in the decades that follow for this absolutely extraordinary artist, certainly at a slightly lower level of success but in any case largely sufficient to keep him at the head of the race.
To discover or rediscover...
Discography (among others ...) :
60s Decade :
I wish you would (The Yardbirds) 1964
Good morning little schoolgirl (The Yardbirds) 1964
For your love (The Yardbirds) 1965
I’m your witchdoctor (John Mayall And The Bluesbrakers) 1965
Lonely years (John Mayall And The Bluesbrakers) 1966
Parchman farm (John Mayall And The Bluesbrakers) 1966
Wrapping paper (Cream) 1966
I feel free (Cream) 1966
Strange brew (Cream) 1967
Sunshine of your love (Cream) 1968
Spoonful Part 1 (Cream) 1968
Anyone for tennis (Cream) 1968
White room (Cream) 1968
Crossroads (Cream) 1969
Badge (Cream) 1969
Lawdy Mama (Cream) 1969
Cold turkey (Plastic Ono Band) 1969
Comin’ home (Delaney & Bonnie & Friends) 1969
Can’t find my way home (Blind Faith) 1969
70s Decade :
Labio dental fricative (Vivian Stanshall) 1970
Tell the truth (Derek & The Dominos) 1970
After midnight 1970
Bell bottom blues (Derek & The Dominos) 1971
Layla (Derek & The Dominos) 1971
Let it rain 1972
I shot the sheriff 1974
Willie and the Hand Jive 1974
Swing low, sweet chariot 1975
Knockin’ on heaven’s door 1975
Hello old friend 1976
Carnival 1977
Lay down Sally 1977
Cocaine 1977
Wonderful tonight 1977
If I don’t be there by morning 1978
Promises 1978
80s Decade :
Tulsa time 1980
Blues power 1980
I can’t stand it 1981
Another ticket 1981
Catch me if you can 1981
Blow wind blow 1981
I’ve got a Rock ‘n’ Roll heart 1983
Slow down Linda 1983
The shape you’re in 1983
Ain’t going down 1983
Forever man 1985
See what love can do 1985
She’s waiting 1985
Edge of darkness 1985
It’s in the way that you use it 1986
Behind the mask 1987
Tearing us apart 1987
Holy mother 1987
Run 1987
Miss you 1987
After midnight 1988
Pretending 1989
Running on faith 1989
90s Decade :
Watch yourself 1990
Bad love 1990
No alibis 1990
Run so far 1990
Wonderful tonight 1991
Tears in heaven 1992
Layla 1992
Runaway train 1992
Help me up 1992
It’s probably me 1992
Stone free 1993
Running on faith 1993
I’m tore down 1994
Motherless child 1994
Love can build a bridge 1995
Change the world 1996
She’s gone 1998
Born in time 1998
Circus 1998
My father’s eyes 1998
Pilgrim 1998
Blue eyes blue 1999
(I) Get lost 1999
2000s Decade :
Riding with the king 2000
Forever man 2000
Superman inside 2001
Believe in life 2001
I ain’t gonna stand for it 2001
If I had possession over judgement day 2004
Say what you will 2005
Revolution 2005
2010s Decade :
Diamonds made for rain 2010
Midnight hour Blues 2010
Autumn leaves 2010
Gotta get over 2013
Angel 2013
Every little thing 2013
They call me The Breeze 2014
Don’t wait 2014
Spiral 2016
Can't let you do it 2016
Catch the Blues 2016
2020s Decade :
Heart of a child 2021
This has gotta stop 2021
Pompous fool 2022
How could we know 2023
Prayer for a child 2024
One woman 2024
The call 2024
Tracks :
1964...the very first steps. It is impossible to imagine at this stage the incredible career path that awaits young Eric in the years and especially the decades to come...
1964...it was by revisiting the title of Sonny Boy Williamson I dating from 1937 that the group managed to win its first star. This time, it's done...
1965...but it is above all THIS title which will allow the group to leave a mark in history. A fleeting adventure for young Eric but oh so formative...
1965...change of team with this title and arrival at John Mayall & The Bluesbraker. A change that won't really benefit him...
1966...after all, every experience is worth taking, both good and bad. It's the job that comes in as they say...
1966...an adventure that will go no further than this title. In the absence of success worthy of the name, young Eric will look elsewhere if he is there...
1966...here he is now within Cream. A new adventure which will prove much more fruitful than the previous one...
1966...not only did he find success there but we were once again talking about global success. So everything is back to normal now...
1967...of course not all the titles will have such a favorable fate but there is success each time in any case, which is no small thing...
1968...especially since the machine will seriously start to get carried away from this year 1968 with a level of success which will increase crescendo...
1968...surprisingly this title will go under the radar but that absolutely does not call into question the irrepressible rise of the group...
1968...business picks up immediately with this new title. We suspected that the previous very slight air hole was just a spur of the moment phenomenon...
1968...the summit of the mountain is getting closer and closer with this new title. A new title which undeniably makes the group one of the phenomena of the moment...
1969...phenomenon status from the moment that they will confirm during this year 1969. Certainly not necessarily with this title but rather with the following...
1969...the end of the decade which saw them floating on their little cloud and landing top hit after top hit. All is well in the best of all possible worlds !
1969...new title to go somewhat unnoticed but without destabilizing the group in any way, these are things that happen even to the best...
1969...the Cream adventure will not go any further and we will find young Eric alongside other artists and not the least. The proof...
1969...collaborations that were ephemeral to say the least but with certain success each time. What ask for more...
1969...diverse and varied participations which slowly but surely prepare the transition to a solo career...
1970...afterwards some collaborations will work more than others, we're not going to lie. We need to sort through all of this...
1970...one last title in group mode before taking off solo. Young Eric has traveled enough now to be able to take the reins of his career in hand...
1970...a solo debut which got off to an ideal start with a first notable success. The young singer couldn't have dreamed of a better scenario...
1971...that doesn't stop him from continuing the adventure a little in group mode. Might as well vary the pleasures as much as possible...
1971...certainly the Derek & The Dominos adventure will not be its most successful on the Charts side but there will still have been some great successes...
1972...solo return in this year 1972. A solo return with average success but no worries about the continuation of events...
1974...after a year 1973 where not much happened, here he is back in this year 1974 with this revisited version of Bob Marley's title from the previous year. Result of the races : huge global hit !
1974...this revisited version of the Johnny Otis title dating from 1958 will not really experience the same level of success as the title which preceded it but the important thing is that the dynamic of success is now well in place and that's the main thing...
1975... here he is now revisiting a Christian standard dating from the end of 1800. A gamble to say the least daring but which will pay off in any case...
1975...in the series of luxury covers, he decides to revisit here Bob Dylan's title dating from the year 1973. A bold bet once again and a successful bet once again too...
1976...here he finally delivers original material. A title which confirms his irreversible rise to the top but this time as a solo artist...
1977...year after year he climbed the ranks and this year 1977 saw him go through several at once. Starting with this title which will be the 'little' hit of the year...
1977...the next one will get much more attention and will offer the artist a global top hit of choice. But that's without taking into account what happens behind...
1977...a little track present on the B side of 'Lay down Sally' and which should not have seen the light of day any more. In truth a revisited version of JJ Cale's title dating from the same year, a luxury cover which will remain as one of the most emblematic titles of the decade, no less. CULT !
1977...there we no longer talk about a top hit but a global mega hit ! A year 1977 which saw him achieve the coveted status of phenomenon of the moment...
1978...a sequel which will have great difficulty competing with the previous title as the bar has been set so high. From there to going almost unnoticed, it's really hard to understand...
1978...but nothing worrying at this stage since business picks up directly behind with this new top hit...
1980...a rather lackluster start to the 80s with a level of success that was limited to say the least. So keep an eye on...
1980...nothing special to expect from this year 1980 since only old songs that he performs live will be released...
1981...return to success thanks to the release of new titles, the opposite would have been surprising to say the least concerning him, that's for sure...
1981...a year 1981 which will not necessarily stay as his best vintage but it is back in the race in any case and that is above all the important thing...
1981...certain titles like this will not be officially released, hence a necessarily limited level of influence...
1981...it would still have been a shame not to mention them since they are still part of his discography in their own right...
1983...nothing very concrete during the year 1982 but it is to better come back in force the following year in 1983. A truly winning return given the success achieved by this title !
1983...as is very often the case with him, a big success is followed by a small one. We can therefore imagine without too much difficulty the level reached by this one...
1983...this one will do a little better but nothing more. Rare are the years with him where 2 huge titles followed one another...
1983...this does not detract from the intra sec quality of each new title whatever it may be. There are some who simply take more light than others...
1985...we lost sight of him again during 1984 and here he is back in Olympic form in this year 1985. And one more mega hit on the clock !
1985...as always if the previous title smashed everything, the next one will go much more unnoticed unfortunately...
1985...a beautiful and BIG year 1985 in any case with a plethora of titles and quality on all levels. What ask for more...
1985...here he is in soundtrack mode with this title which we will find on the series which bears the name of the Single. Success limited to say the least...
1986...as much as the year 1985 was full of titles, the year 1986 will seem somewhat pale next to it. Which is not going to prevent this title from having its moment of glory, which shows...
1986...who could have imagined that he would cover Yellow Magic Orchestra from 1979 ?! Daring bet and unfortunately partly failed bet...
1987...poor performance that he will immediately erase with the release of this new title. So there was no reason to worry more than that...
1987...a blow up, a blow down, a hit title, a title that goes under the radar. In your opinion, what will be the fate of this one...?
1987...new unofficial release. And who says unofficial release says title which will only reach a limited audience to say the least...
1987...same for this one. Afterwards, they will still be able to reach a certain audience which will allow them to get people talking about themselves a little...
1988...like the 2 titles which preceded it, this title will be released outside the usual circuits. But it will still come out...
1989...an 80s decade which still ends in style with this new global top hit. An ability to bounce back worthy of the greatest...
1989...so, in your opinion, given that the previous title has shined in the light, what will be the fate of this one ? The shadow of course...
1990...a new decade which begins quietly like the previous one. As a general rule it starts slowly with him then it accelerates greatly...
1990...the acceleration is already happening on this title. A new success which confirms the fact that the artist is still in the race...
1990...not only is he still in the race but it could be that this 90s decade has some very nice surprises in store for him as well...
1990...it won't be any nice surprises right away, of course, but for now the adventure continues to unroll quietly but surely...
1991...small year 1991 with only one title on the clock and in live mode. We know from experience that it is not in this type of scenario that he breaks the deal...
1992... on the other hand, he's going to break it ! He will deliver here what will surely remain as his most accomplished title and de facto obtain his direct ticket to posterity. MAS-TER-FUL !
1992... here he is covering the title of Derek And The Dominos in which he participated in 1970. And the acoustic version that he will deliver here will reach a level of success that is astonishing to say the least...
1992...an exceptional year in every way with this magical duo where he will share the show with Elton. Result of the races : one more mega hit on the clock !
1992...after 3 huge titles, how to survive ? This is what this new title will learn the hard way...
1992...as if that wasn't enough he started again in duo mode this time with Sting. And a fourth mega hit to add to the tally !
1993...the years follow one another but are not necessarily alike, the proof ! A very short year, 1993, with only one title on the clock and limited success to say the least...
1993...this one will do a little better than its predecessor but we are far, very far from the level of success achieved during 1992, that's for sure...
1994...here he revisits the Freddy King title dating from 1961 and his version will not bring much more than the original. Nice try though...
1994...a year 1994 which rhymes with luxury covers on all levels. This time he covers a title which is in truth a fusion of 2 titles, one by Robert Hicks and the other by Elvie Thomas. Nothing transcendent but good work once again...
1995...in the series of luxury revivals here comes a hell of a bunch of directing talents. Three of the greatest singers of the moment plus the singer to cover this Judds song dating from 1990. What a casting !
1996...business resumed solo the following year with this title which we will find on the soundtrack of the film 'Phenomenon'. There are the soundtracks that are a hit and those that go unnoticed to say the least, this one will be part of the 1st category, believe me !
1998...nothing very exciting during the year 1997 and here he is back in this year 1998 in a form that we would describe as certain. Certainly this first title will not be the best ranked of the year but it is far from unworthy, that is clear...
1998...we find him once again in luxury cover mode with this time this revisited version of Bob Dylan's title dating from 1990. A successful bet on this one...
1998...a level of success that increases with each new title and the year is far from over. We therefore imagine that the sequel will be most successful...
1998...the artist will be able to add a new prestigious star to his prize list thanks to this new title. Everything continues to go well...
1998...four titles just for this year 1998 and quality on all levels. Certainly this title will do less well than its predecessor but we will be more than satisfied with it...
1999...new very successful soundtrack with this title that we will find on the soundtrack of the film 'Runaway bride'. Soundtracks that are extremely successful for him, it is clear...
1999... here he is now illustrating the soundtrack of the film 'The story of us', a title which will have a slightly less favorable fate than the one which preceded it unfortunately...
2000...a transition to the 2000 decade which will prove to be a little more complicated to manage than expected. Success in sharp decline and few titles on the counter, beware of danger...
2000...it's not easy to attract younger generations with this kind of music, that's clear. The singer is having fun but there is necessarily a price to pay...
2000...this one on the other hand sticks a little more to the spirit of the times hence a slight return of success which will in any case be limited exclusively to England...
2001...for the moment the beginning of the decade sees him succeed in staying afloat without too much difficulty all the same. Not sure it will last long...
2001...he continues his adventure without worrying too much about everything that is happening around him and especially how the musical world is evolving...
2001...afterwards as long as he doesn't leave the Charts why would he change anything ? Especially since he still tries to make some efforts to stick a little more closely to the new trends of the moment...
2004...here he is again in Blues mode which is not going to help get him back into the lead, that's clear. Afterwards everyone leads their career as they wish...
2005...we move from Blues to Reggae which is unusual all the same. And my faith in this register he wouldn't be that bad in the end...
2005...there he really gave us a Reggae-Blues mix, we had to dare it. It's a good try but as a result the purists on both sides are no longer able to relate to it at all...
2010...we will lose sight of him for almost 5 years but here he is again regardless. He won't give up until the end, that's clear...
2010...he is certainly coming back but he seems absolutely not determined to change anything during this new decade at first glance...
2010...here he covers the ultra standard 'Les Feuilles Mortes', Joseph Kosma's flagship title dating from 1945. His version is not unworthy, far from it, but will remain as one more version of this now legendary title...
2013...as soon as he decided to stick a little more closely to the times, as if by chance, success returned. Like what...
2013...a new opus which suggests a possible possibility of evolution. Afterwards we won't rejoice too quickly...
2013...as soon as he leaves his comfort zone and dares to take risks, everything becomes possible again. The proof with this new title...
2014...we won't remake him again as they say and here he is again, returning straight to his comfort zone. Especially since the base of basic fans remains stable which does not encourage him to change anything...
2014...a decade 2010 which will not see any major developments either in style or in sound. Clapton does Clapton as they say...
2016...an extremism which inevitably ends up isolating him except of course among early fans. Early fans who don't help him on this one, that's clear...
2016...a decade 2010 where he will have more fun than anything else. On the other hand why would he change since that's what he likes to do in terms of music...
2016...in any case the adventure continues whatever happens. We must still remember that he began his career in 1964 !
2021...an exceptional longevity for an artist who is no less so since here he is again at the very beginning of the 2020 decade with the firm intention of not giving up once again...
2021...it remains to be seen what he intends to offer in the years to come. Still in the same register or something new, something real ?
2022...for the moment nothing very new on the horizon it is clear. Minimalist risk-taking and continuity of things...
2023...on the other hand it is not the basic fans who will complain about its inaction, quite the contrary. They love him and will always love him like that...
2024...
2024...
2024...
Top Bonus : the story of a lifetime...
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Greatest Hits :
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