← Back to people hub
Eric Clapton in 2015

Eric Clapton - Bio, Age, Chinese Zodiac Sign & Timeline

BornMarch 31, 1945
Age81
BirthplaceRipley, Surrey, England, UK
Zodiac SignAries - (see also Eric Clapton's horoscope and birth chart)
Chinese ZodiacRooster
GenerationSilent Generation
Known ForBeing one of the most influential and celebrated guitarists in history; notable for work with The Yardbirds, Cream, Derek and the Dominos, and his solo career, including hits like 'Layla' and 'Tears in Heaven'.

Intro

Eric Clapton is a legendary British rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, renowned for his exceptional skill and influence in modern music. Nicknamed 'Slowhand,' he is one of the most acclaimed guitarists of all time and was a key figure in bands such as The Yardbirds, Cream, and Derek and the Dominos before establishing a successful solo career.

Early Life & Background

Eric Clapton was born to Patricia Molly Clapton and was raised by his grandparents, believing for many years that his mother was his sister. He showed early musical promise and received his first guitar at 13. He attended the Kingston College of Art but was dismissed, after which he focused on music full-time.

Career Highlights

  • Lead guitarist for The Yardbirds (1963–1965)
  • Founding member of Cream (1966–1968), one of the first supergroups
  • Key figure in Derek and the Dominos, recording 'Layla' (1970)
  • Highly successful solo career since the 1970s, with hits such as 'Tears in Heaven', 'Wonderful Tonight', and 'Change the World'
  • Only person inducted three times into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: as a solo artist, and as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream

Trivia

  • Eric Clapton's nickname 'Slowhand' was given by Giorgio Gomelsky, manager of The Yardbirds.
  • He survived heroin addiction in the 1970s and later overcame alcoholism.
  • His 1992 song 'Tears in Heaven' was written about the tragic death of his four-year-old son, Conor.
  • Clapton is a prominent collector of fine guitars, especially Fender Stratocasters.

FAQs

People also ask

How old is Eric Clapton?

Eric Clapton is 81 years old.

When was Eric Clapton born?

Eric Clapton was born the 31 March 1945.

Where is Eric Clapton from?

Ripley, Surrey, England, UK.

On His Birth-Day

About March 31st, 1945, in brief:

  • Historical events: Hans Fischer, a German organic chemist and Nobel laureate, died on March 31, 1945, in Munich, Germany. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1930 for his research into the constitution of hemin and chlorophyll.
  • Day of the week: March 31st, 1945 was a Saturday
  • Zodiac Sign: Aries (in western zodiac), Rooster (in Chinese zodiac)
  • Moon Phase:
  • Popular movie: The Lost Weekend directed by Billy Wilder

Check the link for more news and curiosities on March 31st, 1945.

Discover more

Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Clapton
  2. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eric-Clapton
  3. https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/eric-clapton
  4. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0165412/