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Clapton

The Autobiography

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Clapton

Written by: Eric Clapton
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

 Eric Clapton is far more than a rock star. Like Dylan and McCartney, he is an icon and a living legend. He has sold tens of millions of records, played sell-out concerts all over the world, and been central to the significant musical developments of his era. His guitar playing has seen him hailed as "God". Tracks such as "Layla", "Sunshine of Your Love", "Wonderful Tonight", and "Tears in Heaven" have become anthems for generations of music fans. Now, for the first time, Eric tells the story of his personal and professional journeys in this pungent, witty, and painfully honest autobiography.

Eric was born illegitimate in 1945 and raised by his grandparents. He never knew his father, and until the age of nine believed his absentee mother to be his sister. In his teens his solace was the guitar, and he soon became a cult hero in the club circuits of Britain. With the foundation of the world's first super-group, Cream, in 1966, he became a world superstar.

But the rock-star lifestyle has had a darker side. In more than 40 years at the forefront of his profession, he has twice survived near fatal addictions to drugs and alcohol, the death of his four-year-old son, the deaths of friends such as Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon, the break-up of marriage, and the disintegration of relationships with a succession of beautiful women.

These are the memoirs of a survivor, someone who has reached the pinnacle of success, who has had it all, but whose demons have never left him. At the age of 62, Eric is now ready to tell his story as it is, hiding nothing, with a directness and searing honesty that will make this book one of the most compelling memoirs of our time.

©2007 E. C. Music Limited (P)2007 Books on Tape Entertainment & Celebrities Music Celebrity Guitar Witty Musician

What the critics say

"Both the youthful excesses and the current calm state are narrated with an engaging tone that nudges Clapton's story ahead of other rock 'n' roll memoirs." ( Publishers Weekly)
"Clapton is honest - sometimes, as in the account of his son's death, even searing - and often witty, with a hard-won survivor's humor." ( The New York Times)

What listeners say about Clapton

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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If you love Clapton it's a must

I love Clapton so I had to read this book. The narrator was a bit sleepy so it can be easy to zone out and then come back and see you've missed a chapter. But over all it is a great insight of every aspect of his life which I wanted.

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Profile Image for Zahra Peer Mohammed

Riveting

A very well written, gripping story that brings the reader so much closer to this rock legend. I wish this book was longer. I thoroughly enjoyed it

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Profile Image for Jess

Clapton is god

I grew up listening to Eric Clapton and his music has always been a part of my life. I have read this book year ago and loved it but I was quite younger and I think a lot of the deep stuff didn’t hit me till much later. For example his son passing, as being a new parents I can imagine what that would have been like to go though and is something I deed to even think about. It does suck a little that this book is older now so it stop at 2007/8 but every chapter is worthwhile.

The guy who is reading it does a great job as well I only put 4 stars for the sole fact it wasn’t Eric himself reading it haha.

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Profile Image for Beth Lawrence

What makes a life?

I would not recommend this book. it was very painful to read. I didn't appreciate his honesty. Because he went into recovery, is the only reason he can tell such heart wrenching sordid details of his life. At one point I sat back and felt sick by the way Eric Clapton treated Pattie, his wife and various girlfriends. As the book marches on, and he is happy and sober buying a yacht, another Ferrari, a glorious watch, another home, I again felt like I didn't get the point.
I am glad he sobered up, but what a streak of misery this man caused.

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