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Two of his most popular recordings were " Layla", recorded with Derek and the Dominos and Robert Johnson's " Crossroads", recorded with Cream. His version of Marley's " I Shot the Sheriff" helped reggae reach a mass market. For most of the 1970s, Clapton's output bore the influence of the mellow style of JJ Cale and the reggae of Bob Marley. Furthermore, he formed blues rock band Blind Faith with Baker, Steve Winwood, and Ric Grech. Immediately after leaving Mayall, Clapton formed the power trio Cream with drummer Ginger Baker and bassist Jack Bruce, in which Clapton played sustained blues improvisations and "arty, blues-based psychedelic pop". In the mid-1960s, Clapton left the Yardbirds to play blues with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. He was also named number five in Time magazine's list of "The 10 Best Electric Guitar Players" in 2009 Clapton ranked second in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the " 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and fourth in Gibson's "Top 50 Guitarists of All Time". Clapton has been referred to as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream.
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Fender Stratocaster (" Blackie", " Brownie", custom signature model)Įric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945), is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer and songwriter.
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