Slowhand

The Life and Music of Eric Clapton

By: Philip Norman

Narrated by: Peter Coates

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.

Critic reviews

"Norman chronicles Clapton's life and music from the Yardbirds and Cream through his solo career."—No Depression

"The renowned guitar superhero emerges as 'supersurvivor' in this authoritative biography...Extremely knowledgeable about the rock music scene, Norman tells Clapton's story with verve and insight."—Kirkus

"Among music book scribes, Philip Norman stands near the top in terms of influence and skill. Now, he turns his attention to classic rock's most revered guitarist and often reluctant front man, Eric Clapton. Norman's stab... will likely go down as the definitive work of the man ... a comprehensive and deep dive into a singular pool of talent."—Houston Press

"Comprehensive and illuminating."—The Washington Post

"An intimate tour of his personal white room with black curtains."—The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Good narration that keeps you awake

The reader was entertaining and the story did a man overcoming his demons is uplifting

Good listen but hard to hear how EC really was.

I really enjoyed this listen. I love Claptons music and always will despite listening to the stories about his love life and how he was raised. Yikes! The way he treated women, especially after he was able to win them over, made me angry. In the case of Patti Boyd I found myself angry at him and at Ms Boyd. Even at George Harrison. Eric’s early life was such a shame. The way he was cast off early by his own mother after not knowing his father, who bailed out right away. What happened after that with his mother is just a real shame. And you can correlate the way he was treated at a young age with how he treated women and others after growing up. A man who would become obsessed beyond normalcy only to shut down after he was able to win over a woman or able to own something in particular. It started young and stayed with him. I felt bad and angry all at the same time. It’s worth the listen and I dare you not to be angry at his behavior and to not be bothered by how enabled and coddled this man really was. This refers to the Clapton Luck. The Clapton luck is real but it wasn’t always luck. A lot of times it was being coddled and enabled. Nothing new in a rock stars life but Clapton was enabled and coddled beyond all others I’ve read about. It still doesn’t diminish the overall genius that he really is. He may not be God as some say but he plays like he’s been touched by God.

Filled in many blanks...

I found Slowhand to be engaging, thorough, compelling and emotional. What a life that I thought I knew more about prior to reading Philip Norman's book. The added value with Norman on the pen is that his earlier work in the rock space, Beatles included, added significantly to the color of the era around which so much great music alongside turmoil co-existed.

Interesting

What a great life Clapton has lived and yet at the same time so tragic. May peace follow him now.

Magnificent

So far the best EC story told. Even better that his autobiography, Clapton. Entertain, captivating and brilliantly read.

Interesting story about a very talented musicians of our time, whose music will live on.

Narration done just right, felt he was talking to us and not putting on any show, or trying to sound like something he wasn’t.

The Life and Times of EPC

Without giving any details, this man had quite a life. He seems like a whiny bitch in my opinion. The whole situation with Patty Boyd was shocking.

balanced look

the book goes into both the good and the bad, Clapton's great guitar playing on the background of a boy who never knew his father, his mother deserted him, and his grandmother raised as her son (and spoiled him). his addictions, his horrible treatment of women and subsequent sobriety, and the death of his son.

There truly is a higher power!

I consider myself a huge EC fan, and try to get my hands on anything regarding his talent and life. I felt I knew what the man was about, until hearing this book! The book goes deeply into Clapton’s private life which eventually appears in his music and that amazes me! At some point I learned to hate him, the way he treated the people who adored him. But realized it was the behavior of several people rolled into one, a brat, a shy school boy, an incredibly lucky man, a drug & alcohol ridden creature but most of all a survivor! In my heart I truly believe a higher power save Eric Clapton not for himself,,but for us!

The man is a legend

The story of his life, which was tragic and sad, adds such perspective to his music