The Best Of Eric Clapton

From the bestselling author of Shout!, comes the definitive biography of Eric Clapton, a Rock legend whose life story is as remarkable as his music, which transformed the sound of a generation. For half a century Eric Clapton has been acknowledged to be one of music's greatest virtuosos, the unrivalled master of an indispensable tool, the solid-body electric guitar. His career has spanned the history of rock, and often shaped it via the seminal bands with whom he's played: the Yardbirds, John Mavall's Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominoes. Winner of 17 Grammys, the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame's only three-time inductee, he is an enduring influence on every other star soloist who ever wielded a pick. Now, with Clapton's consent and access to family members and close friends, rock music's foremost biographer returns to the heroic age of British rock and follows Clapton through his distinctive and scandalous childhood, early life of reckless rock 'n' roll excess, and twisting & turning struggle with addiction in the 60s and 70s. Readers will learn about his relationship with Pattie Boyd--wife of Clapton's own best friend George Harrison--the tragic death of his son, which inspired one of his most famous songs, "Tears in Heaven," and even the backstories of his most famed, and named, guitars. Packed with new information and critical insights, Slowhand finally reveals the complex character behind a living legend.

With striking intimacy and candor, Eric Clapton tells the story of his eventful and inspiring life in this poignant and honest autobiography. More than a rock star, Eric Clapton 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, and his incredible talent would make him a cult hero in the clubs of Britain and inspire devoted fans to scrawl “Clapton is God” on the walls of London’s Underground. With the formation of Cream, the world's first supergroup, he became a worldwide superstar, but conflicting personalities tore the band apart within two years. His stints in Blind Faith, in Delaney and Bonnie and Friends, and in Derek and the Dominos were also short-lived but yielded some of the most enduring songs in history, including the classic “Layla.” During the late sixties he played as a guest with Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan, as well as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and longtime friend George Harrison. It was while working with the latter that he fell for George’s wife, Pattie Boyd, a seemingly unrequited love that led him to the depths of despair, self-imposed seclusion, and drug addiction. By the early seventies he had overcome his addiction and released the bestselling album 461 Ocean Boulevard, with its massive hit “I Shot the Sheriff.” He followed that with the platinum album Slowhand, which included “Wonderful Tonight,” the touching love song to Pattie, whom he finally married at the end of 1979. A short time later, however, Eric had replaced heroin with alcohol as his preferred vice, following a pattern of behavior that not only was detrimental to his music but contributed to the eventual breakup of his marriage. In the eighties he would battle and begin his recovery from alcoholism and 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, responding with the achingly beautiful “Tears in Heaven.” 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.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • For the first time, rock music’s most famous muse tells her incredible story “A charming, lively and seductive book . . . The appeal of Wonderful Tonight is as self-evident as the seemingly simple but brash opening chord of ‘A Hard Day’s Night.’”—The New York Times Book Review Pattie Boyd, former wife of both George Harrison and Eric Clapton, finally breaks a forty-year silence and tells the story of how she found herself bound to two of the most addictive, promiscuous musical geniuses of the twentieth century and became the most legendary muse in the history of rock and roll. The woman who inspired Harrison’s song “Something” and Clapton’s anthem “Layla,” Pattie Boyd has written a book that is rich and raw, funny and heartbreaking—and totally honest.

(Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook). Although "Slowhand" is known for his masterful guitar playing, his timeless songs are also quite playable on the piano. This anthology for piano, voice and guitar features 38 of Clapton's best songs: After Midnight * Badge * Change the World * Cross Road Blues (Crossroads) * I Shot the Sheriff * Knockin' on Heaven's Door * Lay Down Sally * Layla * My Father's Eyes * Promises * Riding with the King * Strange Brew * Tears in Heaven * Wonderful Tonight * and more.

(Guitar Recorded Versions). Transcriptions of Billy Gibbons' work on 16 hits from the Texan blues-rock trio: Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers * Blue Jean Blues * Brown Sugar * Cheap Sunglasses * Francine * I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide * Just Got Paid * La Grange * Pearl Necklace * Tube Snake Boogie * Tush * and more.

(Guitar Recorded Versions). The most comprehensive Clapton guitar collection ever assembled! Contains 31 of Slowhand's finest from Cream, The Bluesbreakers, The Yardbirds, Derek & the Dominoes, and his solo career transcribed note-for-note with tablature, just as he recorded them! Includes: Bad Love * Badge * Bell Bottom Blues * Change the World * Cocaine * Cross Road Blues (Crossroads) * Have You Ever Loved a Woman * Hide Away * I Can't Stand It * I Shot the Sheriff * Lay down Sally * Layla * Pretending * Riding with the King * Sunshine of Your Love * Superman Inside * Tears in Heaven * White Room * Wonderful Tonight * and more. Features a special full-color section with photos from 1965-1996.

(Easy Piano Personality). A collection of 30 of his best, including: After Midnight * Cocaine * Crossroads * I Can't Stand It * I Shot the Sheriff * Lay Down Sally * Layla * Sunshine of Your Love * White Room * Wonderful Tonight * Tears in Heaven * and more.