Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6762 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-09
• Released on: 2007-10-09
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 384 pages

Mail on Sunday
Clapton relates what happened with painful honesty. In other rock stars, such plump contentment might seem hypocritical, even vulgar. But with Eric Clapton, you feel that a little comfort is the least he deserves.

Observer
This is an essential read

Daily Telegraph
It's a raw and remarkable piece of self-exposure

Customer Reviews

Very good but loses its way at times
This is a great bio, and for a non-writer Mr Clapton has done a great job. But sadly the themes sometimes get a bit lost, with stories stopping and starting. I think this would work more as a voice over, after I had got a bit confused and thought about it - it has the feel of how a story might be told - but it makes difficult reading.

I think it does have a wide appeal - it doesn't dwell too much on the guitar or guitar playing itself (don't worry for fellow music fans there is enough to keep you interested), but it does combine the relationships and struggles faced throughout his life while still including the real passion for music.

I would say to anyone, have a read, and to any Clapton fan, its a must read!

An enjoyable read
I really enjoyed reading this book. I am a fan of Clapton's music, and I found I couldn't put the book down. Not wanting to add a spoiler, I am glad that the autobiography ended on a positive note, after all the heartache described in the earlier chapters.
I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading about one of the real legends within the music industry.
Clapton has influenced so many, that his autobiography is a must read for any true music fan.

Enjoyable read
I have been following EC and his music since the mid-60s, and saw all his bands from Cream onwards. He was the main inspiration to me picking up the guitar in 1969 (he has a lot to answer for there!) and nearly 40 years later I'm still gigging!

I have all the various books written about him, of which Ray Coleman's "Survivor" is outstanding, although quite a few years out of date now (having said that, get a copy of the wonderful book "Strange Brew"). I got the EC book as a Christmas present, and finished it in 2 days. I might have expected lots of info about his guitars, amplifiers, strings used etc; but we've all read about them countless times in various magazine articles. The book is essentially about his personal life, and appears to have been written perhaps in an attempt to cleanse his soul, as he is painfully honest about his shortcomings as a person.

I enjoyed the book very much, and I think it would appeal to potential readers other than EC fans, as a document of the life of a famous person during some very heady times.

There is far too much written about Clapton being the best guitarist in the world, which even he knows is rubbish. He is a supremely talented player who has had a huge influence, but there are many dozens of other similarly talented players in blues, rock, country, jazz, classical, flamenco, and the other musical genres. So it's 5 stars for his music (most of it!) and 4 stars for the book!