What do you think?
Rate this book
Clapton
Traces the long career of the popular rock guitarist, discusses the influences of his music, and assesses each of his albums
- GenresMusicBiographyNonfiction
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 26, 1988
2 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 28, 2020
This is too full of hero worship, and takes itself far too seriously. I have loads of time for Clapton, but this didn't do him favours in some departments while glossing over the bits that should have been held up for criticism.
I will say there were parts of this that really stayed with me. The romantic image of one man and his guitar against the world, back to the wall and utterly helpless beyond the music is well conveyed. Clapton's disingenuous, often baffling approach to the roots of blues is not properly discussed.
If you want some unobjective fanboy stuff, this has plenty.
I will say there were parts of this that really stayed with me. The romantic image of one man and his guitar against the world, back to the wall and utterly helpless beyond the music is well conveyed. Clapton's disingenuous, often baffling approach to the roots of blues is not properly discussed.
If you want some unobjective fanboy stuff, this has plenty.
June 29, 2017
A good serviceable biography .
May 21, 2020
Good bio. Same author wrote "Lennon". This one is in the same vein. Obviously Coleman likes Eric Clapton so it is a bit of a love fest. Still has all the events of his life. Good read.
November 28, 2007
Downloaded from Audible.com
Overall I enjoyed the book. It was a bit depressing at times - I guess I had never realized just how bad Clapton's alcohol and drug problems were. I really enjoyed hearing about the influences on his music. Simon Vance's voice was somehow not the voice I would have given to Clapton, but he does a creditable job of narrating.
Narrator: Simon Vance
Publisher: Books on Tape, 2007
Length: 10 hours and 35 min.
Publisher's Summary
With striking intimacy and candor, Eric Clapton tells the story of his eventful and inspiring life. More than a rock star, he is an icon, a living embodiment of the history of rock music. Well known for his reserve in a profession marked by self-promotion, flamboyance, and spin, he now chronicles, for the first time, his remarkable personal and professional journeys.
Born illegitimate in 1945 and raised by his grandparents, Eric never knew his father and, until the age of nine, believed his actual mother to be his sister. In his early teens, his solace was the guitar. With the formation of Cream, the world's first supergroup, he became a worldwide superstar. During the decades that followed, he would go on to play as a guest with Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan, as well as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and longtime friend George Harrison. He would overcome despair, self-imposed seclusion, drug addiction, and alcoholism. He would become a father.
But just as his life was coming together, he was struck by a terrible blow: his beloved four-year-old son, Conor, died in a freak accident. At an earlier time, Eric might have coped with this tragedy by fleeing into a world of addiction. But now a much stronger man, he took refuge in music.
Clapton is the powerfully written story of a survivor, a man who has achieved the pinnacle of success despite extraordinary demons. It is one of the most compelling memoirs of our time.
Overall I enjoyed the book. It was a bit depressing at times - I guess I had never realized just how bad Clapton's alcohol and drug problems were. I really enjoyed hearing about the influences on his music. Simon Vance's voice was somehow not the voice I would have given to Clapton, but he does a creditable job of narrating.
Narrator: Simon Vance
Publisher: Books on Tape, 2007
Length: 10 hours and 35 min.
Publisher's Summary
With striking intimacy and candor, Eric Clapton tells the story of his eventful and inspiring life. More than a rock star, he is an icon, a living embodiment of the history of rock music. Well known for his reserve in a profession marked by self-promotion, flamboyance, and spin, he now chronicles, for the first time, his remarkable personal and professional journeys.
Born illegitimate in 1945 and raised by his grandparents, Eric never knew his father and, until the age of nine, believed his actual mother to be his sister. In his early teens, his solace was the guitar. With the formation of Cream, the world's first supergroup, he became a worldwide superstar. During the decades that followed, he would go on to play as a guest with Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan, as well as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and longtime friend George Harrison. He would overcome despair, self-imposed seclusion, drug addiction, and alcoholism. He would become a father.
But just as his life was coming together, he was struck by a terrible blow: his beloved four-year-old son, Conor, died in a freak accident. At an earlier time, Eric might have coped with this tragedy by fleeing into a world of addiction. But now a much stronger man, he took refuge in music.
Clapton is the powerfully written story of a survivor, a man who has achieved the pinnacle of success despite extraordinary demons. It is one of the most compelling memoirs of our time.
July 20, 2010
A lot that Eric left out of his autobio.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews