Eric+Clapton

As you research your selected guitarist, you will need to note some specific information from his or her life and career. Include the following in your final writing: Details for your written assignment:
 * Introduction
 * Biography
 * Discography
 * Legacy
 * Conclusion

Dalton L. Eric Clapton was a unique, and influential artist. With his personal style, and interesting song writing, he was a popular person in his prime. With numerous accomplishments and awards he has secured a spot in music history. At 68 years of age, he still is a favorite artist to many people around the globe.

Eric Patrick Clapton, was born on March 30. 1945, in Surrey, England. His father was a Canadian soldier who was stationed in Great Britain. When he left, his mother gave him to his grandparents. Clapton was told his grandparents were his parents and his mother was his sister. He did not find out the truth until he was nine years old. He received his first guitar as a present from his grandmother on his thirteenth birthday. At 17,he failed out of college and found a job as manual laborer. at night he played music in pubs across the isle. During the time it was not his choice what he got to play. in those days, the denizens of the pub chose. The first big band he joined was the Yardbirds. //Five Live Yardbirds//, -1964 The first real big album from this band. Over the next 15 years he was part of bands including; Cream, Derek and the Dominoes, and Blind Faith. After that in 1973 he went solo. One of his most well known songs was "//Tears in Heaven".// When he found out that his son, Conor, fell from a 53rd story, balcony and died, he sat down and wrote this song as a tribute. It earned him a Grammy and this is probably the most significant song he ever wrote. Currently he has slowed song production. On tours now he is playing a "Greatest Hits" sort of line-up. Eric Clapton has had one wild ride since his birth, and it just isn't stopping.

This genuine person, has been influenced by a number of people. Eric often listened to Sonny Williamson, Muddy Waters and lastly Robert Johnson. He listened mostly to Johnson. His music was Eric's number one source of ideas and inspiration. all of them were American blues artists, and had a lot in common. Mr. Clapton and his various bands have produced numerous albums. Including; //Five Live Yardbirds- 1964, Goodbye- 1969, Eric Clapton- 1970, Journeyman- 1990,// and //Unplugged- 1992.// All were main pieces of the collection of albums and CD's he has been a-part of. He still is most renowned for his unique style. Thus the nick-name; "Slowhand".

Eric Clapton is the most unique guitarist that has rose to fame. His legacy and accomplishments are second to none. He has gained praise and fame through his music. Mr. Clapton has influenced almost every guitarist currently and other musicians have looked up to him. there are some who have tried to duplicate his style. But artists like Clapton are so different that, there is no way to replicate any of his creations. Unlike some blues and rock and roll artists, he created a new style he could call his own, and no one has been able to make a perfect copy. This man's life was ever so hard and wild but that makes him even more influencial. Eric's legacy is one in a billion, strong, important and well-known.

The man his fans call "Slowhand","great", and "Best guitarist to ever walk the earth.", has and will always be among the greatest musicians. Eric Patrick Clapton is one of the most brilliant and exciting blues and rock artist of his era. He changed the world, pop culture and peoples' minds. Mr. Clapton will always be a major part of music history.

Works Cited

Your Source List: 1.)"Eric Clapton." //St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture//. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. Detroit: St. James Press, 2000. //Gale Biography In Context//. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. 2.)"Eric Patrick Clapton." //Encyclopedia of World Biography//. Vol. 18. Detroit: Gale, 1998. //Gale Biography In Context//. Web. 15 Oct. 2012. 3.)"Eric Clapton." //Contemporary Musicians//. Vol. 66. Detroit: Gale, 2010. //Gale Biography In Context//. Web. 17 Oct. 2012.

Guitarist Research Notes Table
//cells will expand as you enter your findings// || -Muddy Waters -Sonny Boy Williamson || -Clapton was told his grandparents were his parents and his mother was his sister. He did not find out the truth until he was nine years old. -Clapton was an above-average student who excelled in art. || -playing in clubs and pubs || -he experimented with many musical forms, including rock, pop, reggae, and even techno-jazz. However, he always seemed to find his way back to his beloved blues -Grammy Award, best pop vocal, 1993, for "Tears in Heaven;" Grammy Award, record of the year, 1993, for "Tears in Heaven;" -Grammy Award, best male pop vocal, 1995, for "Change the World;" -Silver Clef Award, 1983, for outstanding achievement in the world of British music. -Grammy Award, album of the year, 1993, for Unplugged; || -Bluesbreakers: John Mayall with Eric Clapton -1966 Put Clapton on track to be a top blues artist. || What do you like about his/her style? || Because his style is so unique, virtually nobody does his specific style. it's too specail for others to replicate. || -People veiw him as a famous figure of all music. -People view him as a unique character, and his music was very self explanatory. ||
 * ** Information Feature ** ||= **Your Findings**
 * The guitar style I am researching is: || Blues/rock ||
 * The artist I am researching is: || Eric Clapton ||
 * This guitarist lived from || March 30, 1945 to present ||
 * Describe the guitar style you are researching. || Blues is like jazz but has more of a rock n' roll in it. A hybrid of two well known genre's of music. ||
 * What kind of musical training did the guitarist have? || Taught himself with little help from grandparents. ||
 * What types of music influenced this artist? || American Blues ||
 * Name some musicians who influenced the guitarist you are researching. || -Robert Johnson
 * Has this guitarist played more than one style? If so, what other styles? || Yes. rock, and blues ||
 * What type of guitar does this musician play? || Multiple. due to different styles and mixing them, guitars varied show to show. ||
 * What are some interesting facts about your guitarist’s childhood? || -Born in Great Britain.
 * What did this guitarist do before he became famous? || -a manual labor job
 * List two interesting facts about the guitarist’s life. || -Grammy Award, best male pop vocal, 1998,
 * List two albums or songs your artist released, the dates they were released and why they are important. || -Five Live Yardbirds, -1964 The first real big album from a band including Mr. Clapton.
 * Who is playing this style of music today?
 * What legacy has this guitarist left to the world of music? || -Arguably best blues/r&r guitarist.