The Enduring Legend of a Rock and Roll Icon

The rock and roll genre has clearly seen its share of superstars over the years. From the late, great Jimi Hendrix to the incomparable Mick Jagger, it is clear that this style of music will continue to live on well into the future. Of the countless personalities that have made an impact within this industry, few can claim to have made the same type of impact as one Eric Patrick Clapton.

As the only three-time inductee into the prestigious rock and roll hall of fame, there is no questioning the talent that flows through the veins of Clapton. One of his three inductions into the Rock and Roll hall of fame was because of his work as a guitarist for the band known as “The Yardbirds”. The band featured a sound that was still largely absent from the mainstream at the time. The band’s unique blend of varying Blues influences allowed them to effectively distinguish themselves from the rest of the pack, and right in the middle of the band’s unique sound was its equally unique guitarist. Clapton became one of the most talked-about guitarists during his time with the band but he would end up leaving due to the emergence of creative differences. After a brief stint with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Clapton found himself once again on the cusp of joining another band that was bound for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Though he could not have known it at the time, the invitation of drummer Ginger Baker to join “Cream” would become the catalyst for both his emergence as a top-flight singer/songwriter as well as his ascendance to the rank if superstar in the United States.

Clapton immediately found a home within the blues-inspired sound of the band and it showed whenever he took the stage with that trademark guitar playing of his. By March of 1967, Clapton would make his first visit to the United States as a member of the band. The trip proved to be immensely successful as they became a hit among American audiences. Cream had now established a loyal following both back home in Britain and even across the pond. The group was not for long however, as they would soon be undone by drug and alcohol fueled tension that was reaching its boiling point. As Cream began its descent into rock oblivion, Clapton found a friend in George Harrison, a member of the world-renowned band known as “The Beatles”. Clapton and Harrison became very close friends and collaborating artists up until the latter’s untimely demise in 2001.

Clapton is probably most familiar to today’s younger generation as a solo artist. It is for good reason, as Clapton kept his artistic brilliance intact even as he left the comfort of playing in band with stars as big he was. Clapton’s legacy as a three-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee is difficult to match, and he will undoubtedly go down as one of the singularly greatest talents in the history of Rock and Roll.

Eric Clapton is set to take on Texas and a few other states starting March 16. You can get your Eric Clapton tickets from Ticket Broker right now.