Clapton

The Autobiography

By: Eric Clapton

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Critic reviews

"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)

Great book

Great book! Didn't realize he been clean for 20 yrs or a Christian. On to next rock bio! Note to Eric. Sell the blue guitar.

Highly recommended, I can't wait to hear it again!

This book is absolutely at the top of my list! I recommend it to anyone who is curious about Eric Clapton or any of the bands that he was a member of. I learned so much about his life and his struggles. The story motivated me and I can only imagine what it would do for someone with an addiction issue. I will listen to this again and this time I'll take notes. I've already purchased a 2-cd set and have a new appreciation for the music Clapton has written.

Better Than Expected!

Being a huge Eric Clapton fan I knew a little about his life but not about how he got started etc. This book is filled with details, honestly and insight. I loved every minute.

Kind of a let down...

First off I had an extremely hard time listening to the narrator. I love British accents but his voice bugged me to the point I almost quite listening. As to Eric, this book truly shows that celebrities are just people like us who have a lot of issues. He is an amazing musician but as a human seems to be very woe is me. I don’t know how many times you can do the same thing over and over and be surprised by getting the same result ie, women and personal relationships. Some other person in a review I read said he is narcissistic. That is totally the best way to describe him. As stated before he did the woe is me ALOT and that made me kinda lose a little respect for him. I don’t want to sit here and bash him because to err is to human and we all have our flaws. Just wasn’t super impressed.

Even if You don't Like Rock and Roll

I'm not a crazy fan of rock and roll, but Simon Vance made this autobiography worth listening to. Eric Clapton has had a remarkable life and even though I am too young to know a lot of the references and characters in the book, I enjoyed it. The roll of drugs and alcohol in his life, and the tragic death of his son, made portions of this book hard to listen to. It is a great story of how people can change.

Very interesting

I have read all of the books about Clapton and this is by far the best. As you listen to this I can understand where he is coming from, and it made me really understand his music.

This is a must read for any rock music lovers.

This book was so incredibly interesting and inspiring! It again makes the same point that many audio books I have read make and that is that one can use music to escape the darkness that life can bring.

Good but not great.

A lot about addiction. The lead 100 pages was pretty great. Some interesting perspectives on living a good life.

Compelling and Inspiring

This story reveals courage, hope and victory. It tells us that although a person can obtain all of the material advantages that life can offer, there is still something more that adds character to the human soul.

Great book!!

My only complaint... if there even is one, is I wish Eric Clapton read it.