Clapton

The Autobiography

De: Eric Clapton

Narrado por: Simon Vance

With striking intimacy and candor, Eric Clapton tells the story of his eventful and inspiring life. 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. 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 powerful 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.©2007 E. C. Music Limited; (P)2007 Books on Tape

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Like the bluesmen who inspired him, Clapton has his share of scars... his compelling memoir is... a soulful performance.”
—People

“An absorbing tale of artistry, decadence, and redemption.”
—Los Angeles Times

“One of the very best rock autobiographies ever.”
—Houston Chronicle

“A glorious rock history.”
—New York Post

“This book does what many rock historians couldn’t: It debunks the legend... puts a lie to the glamour of what it means to be a rock star.”
—Greg Kot, Chicago Tribune

“Strong stuff. Clapton reveals its author’s journey to self-acceptance and manhood. Anyone who cares about the man and his music will want to take the trip with him.”
—Anthony DeCurtis, Rolling Stone

“Clapton is honest... even searing and often witty, with a hard-won survivor’s humor... an honorable badge of a book.”
—Stephen King, New York Times Book Review

“Riveting”
—Boston Herald

“An even, unblinking sensibility defines the author’s voice.”
—New York Times

“An unsparing self-portrait.”
—USA Today

Loved it!

I have been a fan of Clapton for 35 years. Not only does he share the greatness of his life, but also the very lows. He has some profound thoughts on recovery, which I found very interesting. If you love rock'n' roll, you'll love this book.

Ok Book

This book was nothing special. If you want to get some insight on addiction you'll get plenty here.

Honest and real

Truth is stranger than fiction! Who would have guessed? This is a brutally honest look at a human being named Eric Clapton. Genius, artist. Rebel, collector and boy next door. Bravo Eric! It's also a success story for addicts of all types.

The Real Life EC

I very much enjoyed this book. I have been reading several auto biographies of well known musicians, and this one is way at the top of the list. It is a true recounting of what his life was and has been like. It is not all glamorous by any stretch. It is real, it is honest, and you get a true true look inside the life of Eric Clapton. I always admired him as a musician, and I now also admire him as a human being who picked himself up from the gutter and made a worthy life happen. He did many good things besides play great music, it just took him a while.

A little bland

Being a fan and somewhat a historian of Rock and Roll I enjoyed this book by Eric. It was a bit slow in parts but much of the struggle and triumph I found very interesting. I wished he would have dug a bit deeper into area's such as his and George Harrison's relationship but being as private a man as he seems to be I'll take what I can get.

Very enjoyable

I enjoyed the book. There were points in there where I felt like you do at some movies – you want to tell the person not to open the door because there is a monster or something outside. Its hard to know how “accurate” it is, but there is a clear attempt at honesty, and an attempt to make you understand what Eric was thinking (or not thinking) when he was doing things. There are some surprises – without ruining it for anyone, one of the biggest surprises to me is how much he has always been into fashion. Anyway, its all there: the Yardbirds, Cream, John Mayall, Derek and the Dominoes, his love for Patty, George Harrison’s wife; his addiction to heroin and his even more debilitating alcoholism. He talks about how some of his big hits came about; what makes a guitar “good”; getting wasted and being sober; family, friends and others. It was a good “read.” The narrator, Simon Vance, did a very nice job, as always.

A Confessional Autobiography

I have followed Eric Clapton’s career. He is a complete guitarist, able to play in any genre, and able to collaborate with any artist. He plays electric, acoustic guitar, and slide guitar.

This book is almost a confessional of his drug and alcohol use and his bad treatment of some people he used in his life. In his 62 years, he has been involved with an enviable number of beautiful young women. His chapters coincide with his albums and the band he played with.

Unfortunately, Clapton makes little mention of the various guitarists he collaborated with. Duane Allman gets two paragraphs though these two pushed each other into making one of the all-time great guitar albums, Layla and other Love Songs. Fans of Clapton as a musician will find little here about the musical aspects of his career. This information has to be sought out in the many interviews he gives in various magazines.

In all other aspects, this is a great read.

loved the book. inspiring life rebounds

What a strong spirit. He gives the credit to where credit was due, his wonderful grandparents.

Clapton Is God

If you don't love Clapton then you don't love the history of Rock & Roll

LOVED it

We started out on an 8 hour drive and couldn't wait to start this book. We were hooked immediately and loved every minute of it. We were wishing our drive was even longer because we weren't able to finish it until the return trip! Eric's voice was perfect and I believe made it even better knowing it was him speaking. He read as if he was sitting with us telling his story. I'll recommend this highly to friends for sure.