It was a double cutaway Kay, which was a close of Gibson’s ES335. He purchased it with financial assistance from his grandparents for £100.

Eric joined his first band, The Roosters, at age 17. They played mostly in the Greater London area. Venues included the Carfax Ballroom in Oxford, the Ricky-Tick Clubs in Kingston, Reading, West Wickham and Windsor, the Wooden Bridge Hotel in Guildford, The Jazz Cellar in Kingston, The Scene in Ham Yard, Soho and Uncle Bonnie’s Chinese Jazz Club in Brighton.

The Roosters:
Eric Clapton – Guitar 
Terry Brennan – Vocals 
Tom McGuinness – Guitar 
Ben Palmer – Piano 
Robin Mason – Drums

.......

September

Eric joined Casey Jones & The Engineers and toured for the first time. He played seven gigs over several weeks on the Northern Beat and Cabaret Circuit. The first show took place at the Civic Hall in Macclesfield, Cheshire. Performances followed at The Oasis and the Belle Vue Amusement Park, both in Manchester. At the Civic Hall and The Oasis gigs, The Engineers were also required to back cabaret singer Polly Perkins

Casey Jones & The Engineers
Brian Casser – Vocals
(formerly of Cass & The Cassanovas, Liverpool’s first notable beat group)
Eric Clapton – Guitar
Dave McCumisky – Guitar
Tom McGuinness – Bass
Ray Stock – Drums

Eric saw The Yardbirds at the Crawdaddy Club at the Athletic Association Grounds in Richmond, Surrey and accepted their invitation to join the band

The Yardbirds
Eric Clapton – Lead Guitar
Keith Relf – Vocals / Harmonica
Chris Dreja – Rhythm Guitar
Paul Samwell-Smith – Bass
Jim McCarty – Drums

Eric’s first live gig as a full-time professional musician took place with The Yardbirds at Studio '51 in Leicester Square, London 

...

13 November

Eric’s first recording session took place with The Yardbirds at Morden Park Sound Studios in Surrey

The Yardbirds performed their standard set with Sonny Boy Williamson at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond, Surrey. The show was recorded in its entirety

...

16 December

The Yardbirds recorded "I Wish You Would," "A Certain Girl" and "You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover" at Morden Park Sound Studios in Surrey

Eric played his first studio guest session for Otis Spann. Muddy Waters, one of Clapton’s blues heroes was also present and played rhythm guitar on the tracks

...

8 August

The Yardbirds recorded the backing track for "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl" and several takes of "Got To Hurry" at Olympic Sound Studios in London

...

19 September

The Yardbirds’ first package tour started at Colston Hall in Bristol. They were one of several support acts for headliners Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas.

...

7 November

The Yardbirds were one of the bands on the Top Beat Show at the Royal Albert Hall which was recorded and aired on BBC-2 TV on 9 December

...

24 December

Opening night for Another Beatles Christmas Show at the Hammersmith Odeon, London. The Yardbirds were one of the support acts for shows thru 16 Jan 1965. During the run, Eric met and became lifelong friends with George Harrison

The Yardbirds recorded "For Your Love" at IBC Studios in Portland Place, London. Eric left the band a few weeks later as he disliked the pop-oriented direction the music was taking

...

3 March

Eric’s last gig with The Yardbirds took place at the Bristol Chinese R&B and Jazz Club at the Corn Exchange in Bristol, Gloucestershire

Eric’s first appearance with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers took place at the King Mojo Club in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
John Mayall - Organ / Harmonica / Vocals
Eric Clapton - Guitar
John McVie - Bass
Hughie Flint - Drums

...

12 May

John Mayall's Bluesbreakers backed Bob Dylan at a recording session at CBS Studios in London. The material remains unreleased.

...

30 August

Eric left The Bluesbreakers for the first time to travel the world playing in a blues band they formed called The Glands. After driving through Europe, they arrived in Athens, Greece on 29 September

...

7 October

Eric and his friends secured a contract for their band, The Glands to play at the Igloo Club in Athens, Greece. Within days, Clapton did double duty and played with the house band, The Juniors

...

24 October

Eric played his last gig with The Juniors at Cine-Terpsithea in Athens, Greece before returning home to England

...

4 November

Eric rejoined John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. They played a session for Champion Jack Dupree at Decca Studios in West Hampstead and had an evening gig at the Blue Triangle Club in Ealing

...

21 November

John Mayall's Bluesbreakers played an early evening at the Red Cross Hall in Sutton, Surrey then traveled to Hayes, Middlesex for a late night show at the Blue Moon Club

...

2 December

John Mayall's Bluesbreakers recorded “On Top Of The World” and "Double Crossing Man" at Pye Studios at ATV House in London.

Eric along with Steve Winwood, Jack Bruce, Ben Palmer and Paul York recorded tracks for "What's Shakin'" at Olympic Sound Studios in London

...

27 March

Recording sessions for John Mayall's Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton began at Decca Studios in West Hampstead, London

...

3 May

Eric jammed with his former band, The Yardbirds, (now featuring Jeff Beck on guitar) at the Marquee Club in London

...

13 May

John Mayall's Bluesbreakers had a gig at Town Hall, Oxford and Ginger Baker sat in. Ginger proposed forming a band to Eric while giving him a ride back to London

...

11 June

Melody Maker broke the news about a "sensational new group" featuring Eric, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce called Cream

...

17 July

Eric’s last scheduled gig with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers was at the Black Prince in Bexley

...

18 July

Cream began rehearsals at St Anne's Brondesbury Church Hall in West Kilburn, London to prepare for their debut at the end of July

Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton was released on LP and reel-to-reel tape

Cream's unofficial debut took place at the Twisted Wheel in Manchester

Cream's official debut took place at the 6th Annual National Jazz and Blues Festival in Windsor, Berkshire

Cream went into the studio for the first time at Rayrik Sound Studios in Chalk Farm, London. They tried several songs but a take of "Wrapping Paper" became their first single

30 August

Cream went to Ryemuse Studios in Mayfair, London to record tracks for their first album, Fresh Cream. The sessions continue into early November

...

15 September

Cream supported The Who at the Gaumont Cinema in Hanley, Staffordshire

...

1 October

Jimi Hendrix jammed with Cream at Regent Street Polytechnic, London and played "Killing Floor"

Cream's debut album, Fresh Cream, was released. The band also pre-recorded their 9 January 1967 appearance on the BBC World Service radio show, Alexis Korner's Rhythm and Blues at BBC Maida Vale Studios. They ended the day with an evening gig at Bluesville at The Manor House in Harringay, London

26 January

Cream performed "I Feel Free" on Top of Pops on BBC Television at Lime Grove Studios in Shepherd's Bush, London

...

26 March

Cream's US concert debut took place at the RKO Theater in New York City as part of Murray the K’s “Music in the 5th Dimension.” There were 5 shows daily from 10:15 am through 2 April

...

3 April

Cream had a recording session at Atlantic Studios in New York City. That night, Eric headed to the Café Au Go Go and jammed with the Butterfield Blues Band, Mitch Ryder and some of the Mothers of Invention joined in

...

7 May

Cream played part of the 15th Annual New Musical Express Poll Winners Concert at the Empire Pool and Sports Arena in Wembley, London. That night, they went to Birmingham for a gig at The Swan

...

12 May

Recording session for Cream's Disraeli Gears at Atlantic Studios in New York City

Cream performed “I Feel Free” on ARD-TV’s Beat Club

Eric jammed with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers with Peter Green at Brasenose College in Oxford. He then played at the Exeter Eights Week Ball at Exeter College in Oxford with Cream

Eric and Jack Bruce jammed at The Speakeasy in London with Jimi Hendrix, Jose Feliciano and Graeme Edge

25 June

Eric was one of The Beatles' guests at EMI Abbey Road Studios in St Johns Wood, London for the Our World television broadcast

...

8 July

Cream's "Strange Brew" peaked at #17 on Britain's Top Fifty singles chart. The band also had a gig at the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen, Scotland

...

12 July

Cream began recording Wheels of Fire at IBC Studios in London. The studio sessions continued in London and New York through June 1968

...

22 August

Cream launched their first US Tour with 12 nights at the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, California. On the tour, they played 3 nights at the Whiskey-A-Go-Go in Los Angeles, 9 nights the Psychedelic Supermarket in Boston, gigs around the New York Area including 12 nights at the Café Au Go Go, 2 nights at The 5th Dimension in Ann Arbor and 3 nights at the Grande Ballroom in Detroit, where the tour wrapped up on 15 October

22 September

After Cream's gig at the Auction House in New York, Eric jammed with The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and for the first time, one of his blues idols, BB King at the Café Au Go Go

Cream's second album, Disraeli Gears, was released on mono / stereo LP. The band also played at Romano's Ballroom in Belfast

Eric played on a session for George Harrison at EMI Abbey Road Studios for the track “Skiing” off of Wonderwall

Eric played on Aretha Franklin's song "Good To Me As I Am To You" at Atlantic Studios in New York City. The track was released on Lady Soul

12 February

Cream began 10 days of recording sessions at Atlantic Studios in New York City prior to starting their North American Tour on 23 February in Santa Monica, California

...

20 February

Eric jammed with David Crosby, Michael Bloomfield, Mitch Mitchell and Jack Bruce at Whitey's Loft in New York

Eric received his first Gold Record Award (US) for the Cream album, Disraeli Gears

18 June

Eric jammed with Jimi Hendrix and The Jeff Beck Group at Steve Paul's The Scene on West 46th Street in New York City

...

25 June

Eric played on a recording session for Jackie Lomax at EMI Abbey Road Studios for Lomax’s album, Is This What You Want? During this time, Eric loaned his Gibson SG Fool Guitar to Lomax. The guitar remained in Lomax’s possession for four years. In 1972, Lomax sold it to Todd Rundgren who sold it at auction in 2000, donating 10% to Clapton's Crossroads Centre

Melody Maker ran the frontpage headline "Cream Split Up." Before disbanding, Cream undertook another US Tour, recorded one final album and played two farewell shows in November at the Royal Albert Hall

Cream's third album, Wheels of Fire was released in both mono and stereo mixes on 2LPs

Eric played lead guitar on George Harrison's song, "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" at EMI Abbey Road Studios for The Beatles' White Album

Cream's single, "Sunshine of Your Love," received a Gold Record Award from the RIAA (US)

Cream launched their US Farewell Tour at the Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California

2 November

Eric performed at Madison Square Garden in New York City for the first time while a member of Cream...

18 November

Cream began recording their final album, Goodbye Cream at IBC Sound Studios in Portland Place, London

Cream performed two final "Farewell" concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall that were filmed and released

Eric played part of The Rolling Stones’ Rock N Roll Circus along with John Lennon, Yoko Ono, The Who and others at InterTel Studios in Wembley, London

Shortly after Christmas, Eric and Steve Winwood began jamming informally. In early February, Ginger Baker heard of the jam sessions. By the middle of the month, the press was reporting a new “supergroup.” The band moved to Morgan Studios in an attempt to record their debut album

Cream's fourth and final album, Goodbye was released - it reached #1 in the UK and #2 in the US album charts

EC, Steve Winwood and Ginger Baker began recording at Morgan Studios, London. Sessions continued on and off through late June. Rick Grech joined the band in May. Eric continued to guest on sessions throughout this time and worked with Billy Preston and Martha Velez

Eric played part of Supershow with Stephen Stills, Buddy Guy, Buddy Miles, Jack Bruce, Roland Kirk, Dick Heckstall-Smith and others in Staines, Surrey. The film premiered at the Lyceum, London on 14 November

21 April

Cream's Goodbye received a Gold Record Award from the RIAA (US)

...

6 May

Blind Faith, Eric's new supergroup was announced with Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker and Rick Grech

Blind Faith's debut concert at Hyde Park, London – it was filmed but not released in its entirety until 2006

12 June

Blind Faith's 5-date Scandinavian concert tour opened at the Kulttuuritalo, Helsinki, Finland

...

12 July

Blind Faith's North American debut took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Their only US / Canada tour ended 24 August at the HIC Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii after 23 concerts

Blind Faith’s self-titled album was released

Eric guested on recording sessions for Delaney & Bonnie at Elektra Sound Recorders in Los Angeles following the end of Blind Faith's US Tour

Eric played the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival Festival at Varsity Stadium with John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band, which was filmed and recorded. The band rehearsed on the flight from London

25 September

Eric joined John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band at EMI Abbey Road Studios to record "Cold Turkey" - they re-recorded it three days later at Trident Studios and John later added more overdubs and vocals

...

October / November

Early in October, the Plastic Ono Band continued to work on “Cold Turkey” at Abbey Road and recorded “Don’t Worry Kyoko” at Lansdowne Studios. During this two month period, Eric also played on sessions for Doris Troy, Aashish Khan, Shawn Phillips, Rick Grech and Leon Russell 

Recording session for Eric's  first solo album, Eric Clapton, at Olympic Studios in Barnes, London with Delaney & Bonnie & Friends as his backing band. He also decided to join them out on the road

26 November

Eric with Delaney & Bonnie & Friends pre-record a session for the German TV show, Beat Club, in Bremen. That night, they played at the Musikhalle in Hamburg

...

1 December

Delaney & Bonnie & Friends with Eric started their 7-city UK Tour at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Dave Mason and George Harrison came along as “Friends” for some of the shows

Eric performed with John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band at the Peace & Love for Christmas concert at the Lyceum Ballroom in London in aid of UNICEF

23 January

Eric continued recording his first solo album through the end of the month at Village Recorders in Los Angeles. While there, he also played on sessions for King Curtis and The Crickets

...

2 February

Delaney & Bonnie & Friends with Eric started their North American Tour at Massey Hall in Toronto, Canada. The tour ended on 22 February with a concert at the Fillmore West in San Francisco, California. The band appeared on The Dick Cavett Show on ABC-TV in New York City on the 5th

...

March - April

Eric spent the time in London mixing his first solo album and playing on recording sessions for Stephen Stills, Ashton Gardner & Dyke, Jonathan Kelly, and Jesse Ed Davis

In early May, EC, along with Ringo Starr, Steve Winwood and Bill Wyman played on a series of sessions for Howlin' Wolf at Olympic Studios in Barnes, London. The album, London Howlin Wolf Sessions, was released in August 1971. He also went to Oxford to jam with Steve Winwood and the reformed Traffic at St. Catherine’s College. In late May, George Harrison began recording first solo album and rock history’s first triple album, All Things Must Pass and invited Eric's new band, Derek and The Dominos to back him at recording sessions. The initial sessions took place in May and June at EMI Abbey Road Studios with overdubs at Trident Studios from late August through mid-October. During the sessions, the band recorded their first single. In June and July, Eric also played on London sessions for PP Arnold and Dr. John, with Mick Jagger. The band would also tour the UK, relocate to Miami, Florida to record their legendary album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, as well as kick off their US Tour in October

10 June

Eric and the rest of the Dominos started playing on sessions for PP Arnold’s debut album at IBC Studios in London. The sessions continued through 26 July and also featured Doris Troy, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards

...

14 June

Derek and the Dominos made their live concert debut at the Lyceum Ballroom in London with two charity shows for Dr Spock’s Civil Liberties Fund

Derek and the Dominos recorded their first single, "Tell The Truth / Roll It Over," at EMI Abbey Road Studios in London

EC, along with Mick Jagger, members of the Dominos and PP Arnold, started three days of recording sessions for Dr. John at Trident Studios in London for his album The Sun, Moon and Herbs

Derek and the Dominos' launched their UK Tour with a gig at the Dagenham Roundhouse in Dagenham, London

Eric's first solo studio album, Eric Clapton, was released

Derek and the Dominos' UK Tour stopped at the Van Dike Club in Plymouth, Devon. It was the last show before the band headed to the US to record their album. They were back on tour in England by 20 September. The UK Tour ended on 11 October at The Lyceum in London

Derek and the Dominos began recording Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs at Criteria Recording Studios in Miami, Florida. Sessions continued through 2 October. Duane Allman joined the sessions on 27 August

22 September

Eric made a guest appearance with Buddy Guy and Junior Wells during their support slot for the Rolling Stones at the Palais des Sports in Paris, France

...

15 October

Derek and the Dominos kicked off their US Tour with early and late shows at the Alumni Gymnasium on the campus of Rider College in Trenton, New Jersey

Derek and the Dominos played two consecutive nights at the Fillmore East in New York, their only US Tour. The band played early and late shows each night and all were recorded and later released

While playing a gig in Florida with the Dominos, Eric also played on sessions for Buddy Guy and Junior Wells Play The Blues at Criteria Recording Studios in Miami and on “The Judgement” for James Luther Dickinson

Derek and the Dominos were on an episode of the Johnny Cash Show at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. Carl Perkins was also a guest

Derek and The Dominos' double-album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs was released

Eric played on a two-day recording session for John Mayall's album, Back To The Roots at Larrabee Studios in Los Angeles, California

Duane Allman joined Derek and the Dominos on stage at Onondaga War Memorial Auditorium in Syracuse, New York. Elton John was one of the support acts in Syracuse

Derek and the Dominos' final live performances took place at Brookhaven Gymnasium at Suffolk Community College in Selden, New York. The band played early and late shows. During the tour, BB King, Neal Schon, Jesse Ed Davis, Delaney Bramlett and Duane Allman all sat in at various gigs around the US

Eric joined the Rolling Stones at Olympic studios in Barnes, London to record a version of "Brown Sugar." This alternate version was released in 2015 on deluxe editions of Sticky Fingers

Eric played on sessions for Bobby Whitlock, his bandmate in Derek and the Dominos, at Olympic Sound Studios in London who was recording a solo album. George Harrison and the rest of the Dominos also joined in. Eric also played on sessions for John Mayall at IBC Studios

Derek and the Dominos began recording their second album at Olympic Studios in Barnes, London. The album was never completed and the band quickly disintegrated by early May

Eric took part in the first large-scale rock benefit concert, "The Concert for Bangladesh,” in two shows at Madison Square Garden in New York City organized by his friend, George Harrison, and Ravi Shankar. Rehearsals took place at the venue the day before

Eric made a guest appearance with Leon Russell and The Shelter People at the Rainbow Theatre

12 February

Eric played on an unreleased studio session for Stevie Wonder at AIR Studios, London

...

August

George Harrison recruited Eric to play on unreleased sessions for a Cilla Black album. Other old friends from the sixties, Pete Townshend, spent time helping Eric at his home studio working on the unfinished material from the Dominos’ second album

The Rainbow Concerts. Two shows heralding Eric's  "comeback" and celebrating Great Britain's entry into the European Economic Community took place at the Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park, London. Organized by Pete Townshend, Eric's  supporting band featured Townshend, Steve Winwood, Ron Wood, Ric Grech, Jim Capadi, Jimmy Karstein and Rebop Kwaku Baah

Eric's  ‘comeback’ began when he flew to Miami, Florida to record his second solo album, 461 Ocean Boulevard, at Criteria Recording Studios through mid-May

Eric filmed the “Eyesight To The Blind" sequence for the movie, Tommy at St. Andrew's Church in Henderson Road with Pete Townshend and John Entwhistle. Eric also played on the official film soundtrack

The warm-up concerts for Eric's  first solo tour supporting 461 Ocean Boulevard took place at Tivoli Gardens in Stockholm and KB Hallen in Copenhagen

Eric kicked off the first leg of his US Tour at the Yale Bowl in New Haven, Connecticut performing 28 concerts through 4 August

461 Ocean Boulevard was released. It reached #1 on the US Billboard Chart in August

5 August 

Eric played on sessions for Freddie King at Criteria Recording Studios in Miami, Florida

...

19 August

Eric started recording sessions for There's One in Every Crowd at Dynamic Sound Studios, Kingston, Jamaica through mid-September

...

14 September

Eric's cover of Bob Marley’s "I Shot The Sheriff" topped the charts in America. Five days later, on 19 September, the single received a Gold Record Award from the RIAA (US)

...

28 September

Eric was back in North America touring in support of 461 Ocean Boulevard. The tour ended on 6 October in Philadelphia

...

31 October

Opening night of Eric's first tour of Japan - the gig was at Tokyo's Nippon Budokan and was the first of three nights at the venue. On 21 April 2023, Eric became the first foreign artist to appear 100 times at the Budokan. The 5 date tour ended in Osaka on 6 November

...

26 November 

The 9-date European leg of Eric's 461 Ocean Boulevard Tour opened with a gig at the Kongresszentrum in Hamburg, Germany. It wrapped in December at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. Both shows were recorded

Eric's  3rd studio album, There's One In Every Crowd was released

Eric's  There's One In Every Crowd Tour started with the first of two consecutive nights at the HIC Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii.  The tour kept Eric on the road for much of the year before it ended at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo on 2 November

Following a concert in Florida, Eric headed to Criteria Studios in Miami on 16 June to record a new single, “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door.” On the 25th, he recorded the B-side, “Someone Like You,” at New York City’s Electric Lady Studios

Eric recorded his next album, No Reason To Cry at Shangri-La Studios in Malibu, California. During this same period, he played on sessions for The Pencils, Rick Danko, Kinky Friedman and Joe Cocker at the studios

May - June

Eric headed back to California to select tracks for No Reason To Cry. While there, he played on sessions for Van Morrisson, Stephen Bishop and Ringo Starr at various studios in the Los Angeles area

...

29 July

Eric's  UK Tour supporting No Reason To Cry opened at The Pavilion in Hemel Hempstead.

...

31 July

Freddie King, Larry Coryell, Lewis Stephens and Ronnie Wood made guest appearances with Eric at the Garden Party IX at Crystal Palace Bowl in London

Eric's  4th solo studio album, No Reason To Cry, was released. It peaked at #8 on the UK albums chart and was certified platinum

Eric wrote "Wonderful Tonight" while waiting for Pattie Boyd to get ready to go to Paul and Linda McCartney's Buddy Holly Week Luncheon. The song was recorded for Eric’s 1977 album, Slowhand

Eric started his fifteen-date US Tour at the Bayfront Center in St. Petersburg, Florida

Eric was a guest artist at The Last Waltz, The Band's final concert at Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco, California. It was filmed and recorded

20 April

Eric started his 1977 Tour at DeMontfort Hall in Leicester.  He was on the road through mid-October with concerts across the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, Spain, Hawaii and Japan. Eric had an extended break in May for the recording of his next album

...

2 May

Eric started working on Slowhand at Olympic Studios in Barnes, London. "Wonderful Tonight" and "Next Time You See Her" were recorded at this session. He completed sessions for the album on the 25

Eric's  5th solo studio album, Slowhand, was released. It reached the Top 10 in 8 countries and become one of his most commercially and critically successful albums

1 February

Eric started his concerts for the year with a gig at the PNE Coliseum in Vancouver, Canada.  He was on tour for much of the year with dates across Canada, the US, Europe, and the UK with a break for recording his next album, Backless

...

May - September

Between concert dates, Eric recorded Backless at Olympic Sound Studios in London

Eric's 7th solo studio album, Backless was released

Eric ended his touring for the year with a concert at the Civic Hall in Guildford, Surrey. Muddy Waters, George Harrison and Elton John made guest appearances

Eric started his 1979 tour with a gig at City Hall, Cork. The tour visited the US, Europe, the Mideast and Far East before it wrapped on 6 December at the Sangyo Kyoshin Kaikan in Sapporo, Japan

First of two consecutive nights at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan - both nights were recorded for Eric's  double-live album, Just One Night

In addition to recording sessions for a new solo album at Surrey Sound Studios, Eric played on guest sessions for Ronnie Lane, Gary Brooker and Stephen Bishop

Eric's  double live album, Just One Night was released. It was recorded at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan in December 1979

2 May

Eric kicked off his tour for the year with a concert at New Theatre in Oxford. Eric had 14 UK dates and a short Scandinavian Tour in September

...

July - August

Eric recorded his next album, Another Ticket, at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas.  Eric also played on tracks for Gary Brooker, who is part of his band

Eric's  five-date Ireland / UK Tour to promote Another Ticket opened at R.D.S. Simmonscourt in Dublin. Following a one-night only concert at London’s Rainbow Theatre in February, the tour moved on to the US at the beginning of March for a four-month run. The remaining 49 concerts were canceled on 14 March due to Eric's  hospitalization for a perforated ulcer

Eric's  7th solo studio album, Another Ticket was                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         released and became a Top 3 album in the US

9 September

Eric made an appearance at the Secret Policeman's Other Ball at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, London. He performed with Jeff Beck and Sting which raised funds for Amnesty International

...

7 October

Eric returned to the road with an 8-date Scandinavian Tour that started at the Messuhalli in Helsinki, Finland

Eric started an 8-date tour of Japan with a concert at the Niigata Kenmin Hall in Niigata

5 June

Eric started a 17-date US Tour at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

...

30 June

Eric ended his short US Tour with a concert at the Sportatorium in Miami, Florida. Muddy Waters, one of his musical idols, joined him on stage for “Blow Wind Blow,” which was Water’s final public appearance

Eric recorded his next studio album, Money & Cigarettes at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas

1 February

Eric started his North American Tour at the Paramount Theater in Seattle, Washington promoting his new album, Money & Cigarettes. The tour headed to Europe and the UK before returning to the US in the summer

...

5 June

EC, backed by Chas & Dave was a special guest for the Save The Children Benefit Concert at the New Victoria Theatre in London

...

24 June

Eric was awarded the Nordoff Robbins Silver Clef Award for outstanding contribution to UK music

Eric played on sessions for Roger Waters’ upcoming album, The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking, which was released the following spring

20 September

Eric celebrated his 20th Anniversary as a musician with two benefit concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Night one was in aid of The Ronnie Lane Appeal for A.R.M.S and night 2 was in aid of the Prince’s Trust.  Eric's all-star band featured Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Steve Winwood, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones, Andy Fairweather Low and more

...

November - December

Eric was part of an all-star band assembled to raise funds for Ronnie Lane’s multiple sclerosis charity, ARMS. The ARMS Tour played 9 dates in Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. The band included Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Joe Cocker, Jan Hammer, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, Kenney Jones, Andy Fairweather Low and more

Eric started a European Tour at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland. The tour included concerts in Milan, Belgrade, Athens and Jerusalem, where it ended on 6 February

Eric recorded tracks for his new album, Behind The Sun, at AIR Studios in Montserrat, West Indies. The tracks were produced by Phil Collins

Roger Waters’ Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking Tour started in Stockholm, Sweden. Eric was in the band and played on all the dates in Europe, the UK, US and Canada through 31 July

Eric guested with Bob Dylan at Wembley Stadium in London for 7 songs during Dylan’s stadium tour

Eric played on “Freedom” for the soundtrack of Water at George Harrison’s Friar Park Studios. Eric, along with George Harrison, Ray Cooper, Jon Lord, Mike Moran, Chris Stainton and Ringo Starr also appeared in the film as the Singing Rebel's Band

September

Eric recorded final tracks for his next album, Behind The Sun, at Lion Share Studios and Amigo Studios in Los Angeles

...

13 November

Eric started an Australian tour at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney. It wrapped on the 28th with a concert at the Entertainment Centre in Perth

Australia-only single, “You Don't Know Like I Know / Knock On Wood” was released. The A-side was a duet with Phil Collins recorded during Eric's  spring recording sessions at AIR Studios in Montserrat

Eric played a one-off concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum on the way home from his Australian Tour

Eric filmed the music video for “Forever Man” off his album, Behind The Sun

Eric's  Behind The Sun 1985 Tour opened at the Edinburgh Playhouse in Scotland. The tour visited the UK, Europe, US, and Japan before ending on 6 November at the Palasport in Padua, Ita

Eric's  Behind The Sun Tour stopped at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. The concert was filmed for home video release

Eric's  9th solo studio album, Behind The Sun, was released

Eric and Michael Kamen recorded the soundtrack for the BBC television series, Edge of Darkness

Eric was one of dozens of artists taking part in the worldwide benefit concert, Live Aid. He performed 3 songs and joined in the All-Star Finale at John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Lionel Richie joined Eric for the encore at Seattle Center Coliseum. Afterwards, Eric went to Bear Creek Recording Studios in Woodinville, Washington to add guitar overdubs to “Tonight Will Be Alright” for Richie’s forthcoming album, Dancing On The Ceiling

Eric filmed Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session for Carl Perkins at Limehouse Television Studios in London. Other featured guests were George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Dave Edmunds, Roseanne Cash and others

Eric recorded his 10th studio album, August, at Sunset Sound Recording Studios in Los Angeles

Eric was one of the artists that took part in the Prince's Trust 10th Birthday Party Concert at Wembley Arena in London

Eric's six date Clapton Collins Phillinganes East tour opened at the Kalvoyafestivalen on Kalvoya Island, Sandvika, Norway

Eric played with Otis Rush at the Montreux Jazz Festival. The concert was filmed and released in 2008 on CD and DVD as Otis Rush And Friends: Live at Montreux 1986

Clapton Collins Phillinganes East tour stopped at Le Casino in Montreux Switzerland and was broadcast on radio. Also filmed, it was released on DVD in 2006 as Eric Clapton: Live at Montreux 1986

August - September

Eric was a guest on recording sessions for Bob Geldof, the Bee Gees, Bob Dylan, and Tina Turner. He also recorded tracks for The Color Of Money soundtrack which featured the song “It’s In The Way Use It.” He also jammed with the Prince in London and played a charity concert with Stan Webb’s Chicken Shack

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16 August

Eric filmed the video for “Tearing Us Apart,” his duet with Tina Turner, at Ronnie Scott’s in London

Eric took part in the filming of Chuck Berry’s 60th Birthday Concert at the Fox Theater in St. Louis, Missouri. It was released on CD, home video and later DVD as Hail Hail Rock ‘N’ Roll

Eric played the first of four US club dates with the Clapton Collins Phillinganes East lineup. The first two shows took place at the Metro in Boston, followed by two nights at the Ritz in New York City on 23 and 24 November

Eric's 10th solo studio album, August was released

Eric, along with David Sanborn and Michael Kamen recorded the soundtrack for the first Lethal Weapon film over a 9 day period at the Town House Studios in London. They composed the soundtracks for all of the films in the blockbuster series

3 January

Eric started his 1987 tour in support of his 10th studio album, August at the Apollo Theatre in Manchester. The tour took up much of the year with dates across the UK, Europe, US, Australia and Japan

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6 January

The first solo Eric concert took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The 6-show run started an annual tradition which continued until 1996

Eric received The Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, a lifetime achievement award, given by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI)2

In Montserrat, Eric played a guest session for Sting at AIR Studios. Along with Elton John, Ringo Starr and Jeff Lynne, he played guest sessions for George Harrison’s new album, Cloud Nine at Friar Park Studios in Henley on Thames

Eric, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Phil Collins, Paul Butterfield, Dr. John, Etta James and more were BB King’s musical guests for the filming of the television special, A Blues Session: BB King and Friends. It was later released on home video

Eric took part in two nights of benefit concerts for the Prince’s Trust at Wembley Arena in London. They were filmed and later released as The Prince’s Trust Concert 1987

BBC Radio One began the broadcast of the six-part series, Behind The Mask - The Story of Eric Clapton

Eric, Mark Knopfler and Buddy Guy filmed a set before a live audience at Ronnie Scott’s in London for ITV's upcoming episode on the South Bank Show

22 January

Eric opened the UK leg of his 25th Anniversary Tour at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. The tour visited the US, Canada and Japan before it ended on 5 November in Osaka, Japan

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25 January

First night of Eric's 2nd annual residency took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London with concerts through the 4th of February. The 9 show run was part of his 25th Anniversary Tour

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18 April

Eric's award-winning Crossroads box set was released. It featured his work with the Yardbirds, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, Derek and the Dominos, and his solo career. It received a gold record in the US on the 22nd of June

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23 April 

Eric began recording the Homeboy soundtrack. The sessions took place at both the Town House Studios and Olympic Studios in London

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May

Eric played on sessions recording a variety of instrumentals for the Peace In Our Time soundtrack at Olympic Studios in London

Eric took part in two nights of benefit concerts for the Prince’s Trust at Wembley Arena in London

Eric made a guest appearance with Dire Straits during the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium in London

11 October

Eric made a surprise guest appearance with his former Cream bandmate, Jack Bruce, at The Bottom Line in New York

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31 October

Eric's 25th Anniversary Tour opened in Nagoya, Japan at Rainbow Hall. Elton John and Mark Knopfler were in his band for the final weeks of the tour

16 January

The opening night of Eric's UK Tour took place at City Hall in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

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20 January 

Opening night of Eric's 3rd annual residency took place at the Royal Albert Hall. There were 12 performances with 2 different band lineups through 3 February

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22 February

Eric's box set Crossroads won Grammy Awards for Best Historical Album and Best Album Notes

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March – April

Eric recorded his new album, Journeyman, and the soundtrack for Lethal Weapon 2 at Power Station Studios in New York.  He did guest sessions for Zucchero Fornaciari, Cyndi Lauper, and “Border Song” for an Elton John / Bernie Taupin tribute album

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31 May

Eric attended the first International Rock Awards at the Lexington Armory in New York City and took home the award for "Best Guitarist"

14 January

Eric's  Journeyman World Tour opened with the first of three consecutive nights at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, England. It was his largest world tour to date. The tour ended in Yokohama, Japan on 13 December

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17 January

Eric's album, Journeyman, which was released in November 1989, received a Gold Record Award from the RIAA (US). It would  go platinum on 13 March 1990

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18 January

Opening night of Eric's 18 night residency took place at London's Royal Albert Hall with concerts through 10 February. During his 4th residency at the venue, Eric performed with 4 different lineups including a blues band and a full orchestra. Select concerts were filmed and recorded for broadcast in their entirety by the BBC

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24 March

Eric performed on NBC-TV's Saturday Night Live for the first time

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10 April

The citation that announced Minor Planet 4305 was named "Clapton" in Eric's honor was published in the Minor Planet Circular of the International Astronomical Union

Eric took home a lifetime achievement award at the 2nd International Rock Awards in ceremonies at the 69th Regiment Armory in New York City

Eric was one of the performers along with Paul McCartney, Elton John, Phil Collins, Pink Floyd, Robert Plant and more that played at the The Silver Clef Award Winners concert at Knebworth Park in Hertfordshire

Eric's  Journeyman world tour had its second night at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin. Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, Buddy Guy and Robert Cray jammed with Eric for the encore. SRV and members of Eric's crew are killed in tragic helicopter accident following the concert

21 January

Eric began rehearsing for a record-breaking run of 24 Nights at the Royal Albert Hall at The Point in Dublin, Ireland followed by two public warm-up shows at the venue on 31 January and 2 February

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5 February 

Eric performed the first night of his record-breaking 24 Nights at London's Royal Albert Hall. During his fifth and longest residency at the venue, Eric performed with a four-piece band, nine-piece band, blues band and full orchestra. All of the concerts were recorded for a live album and broadcast in their entirety by the BBC. During the run of shows, Eric also played on guest recording sessions in London for Buddy Guy, Johnnie Johnson and Richie Sambora

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9 March

Eric performed the final show of his 24 Nights at the Royal Albert Hall

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20 March

In a tragic accident, Eric's 4 1/2-year-old son, Conor died when he fell out of an open window in a Manhattan high-rise condominium where Conor’s mother was staying. Eric had taken Conor to the circus the night before at the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island

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August

In the aftermath of his young son’s tragic death, Eric coped by playing guitar and throwing himself into his work. At The Village Recorder in Los Angeles, Eric recorded songs including the Grammy-winning "Tears in Heaven” plus soundtrack instrumentals for the film, Rush

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October

At The Village Recorder in Los Angeles, Eric recorded early versions of “Circus Left Town,” “My Father’s Eyes,” and “Lonely Stranger,” all inspired by his son, Conor

24 Nights was released on CD, LP and VHS. It was compiled from 42 concerts performed by Eric at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1990 and 1991

Eric and George Harrison began their Rock Legends Tour of Japan at the Yokohama Arena. A live double-album, George Harrison: Live in Japan, was released in July 1992

U2's The Edge inducted The Yardbirds into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in New York City. Eric was not at the ceremony, as he was scheduled to record MTV’s Unplugged the next day in England

Eric's episode of MTV’s Unplugged was recorded at Bray Film Studios in Windsor, Berkshire. The companion CD went on to be the most successful live album of all time

Eric launched his 1992 Tour with a concert at the Brighton Centre in East Sussex, England. The tour would include 12 nights at the Royal Albert Hall along with numerous dates in the US and Europe. He also teamed up with Elton John for a series of double-bill dates in Paris, Rotterdam, London, Lausanne, Monza, New York and Los Angeles

Eric recorded “Runaway Train” with Elton John at Town House Studios in London. The song was featured on Elton John’s The One and the soundtrack to Lethal Weapon 3. During this period, Eric worked with David Sanborn and Michael Kamen on the soundtrack in London and New York.  Sting joined them in New York to record “It’s Probably Me,” which appeared on the soundtrack album and Sting’s album, Ten Summoners Tales

18 March

Eric's single, "Tears in Heaven" received a Gold Record Award from the RIAA (US)

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15 April

Eric's single, "Tears in Heaven" received a Platinum Record Award from the RIAA (US)

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17 April

Eric's double-live album, 24 Nights, received a Gold Record Award from the RIAA (US)

Eric, Michael Kamen's and David Sanborn's Lethal Weapon 3 soundtrack album was released

16 October

Eric was one of the many artists to perform at Columbia Records Celebrates the Music of Bob Dylan in a concert broadcast on radio and Pay-Per-View TV from Madison Square Garden in New York City

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28 October

Eric's  Unplugged CD earned Gold, Platinum and 2X Platinum Record Awards and the "Unplugged" video earned a Gold Sales Award from the RIAA (US)

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10 December

Eric's Unplugged CD received a 3X Platinum Record Award from the RIAA (US)

At the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, Cream was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Eric, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce performed together for the first time since their two farewell shows at the Royal Albert Hall on 26 November 1968

2 February

Eric received the Royal Variety Club Award for Outstanding Recording Artist of 1992

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20 February

Eric opened his 7th annual residency at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Eric played all blues music for the 12 shows

The 1993 Grammy Awards were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. Eric took home 6 Grammys and performed "Tears In Heaven." It was broadcasted live on CBS-TV (US) with an audience of 30 million

Eric, Jeff Beck, BB King and many others performed at the Apollo Theatre Hall of Fame concert celebrating the New York venue’s 50th anniversary. It was filmed for a later television broadcast in the US

August

Eric played on a session for a Curtis Mayfield Tribute Album and for a Jimi Hendrix Tribute Album at the Hit Factory in New York City

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29 September

Eric's Unplugged album received a 7X Platinum Record Award from the RIAA (US)

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1 -3 October

Eric headlined two benefit concerts for the Chemical Dependency Centre at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham followed by a third performance at the Sheffield Arena. Joe Cocker joined Eric for a few songs each evening

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12 October

Eric's Japan Tour opened at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo with the first of eight non-consecutive shows at the venue. The 14-date tour ended at the venue on 31 October

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10 November

Blind Faith's 1969 self-titled debut album received a Platinum Record Award from the RIAA (US)

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November – December

Eric's all-blues album, From The Cradle, was recorded at Olympic Sound Studios in London. Final sessions took place in March 1994

Eric inducted The Band into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The ceremonies were held at The Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, and Clapton joined The Band on stage for a performance of “The Weight”

16 February

Eric played a warm-up gig at the Apollo Theatre in Ardwick Green, Manchester prior to his annual Royal Albert Hall residency

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20 February

Eric opened his 8th annual residency at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The set lists for the 12 nights were predominantly blues

An expanded version of the double LP Derek And The Dominos In Concert was released on 2CD and vinyl as Live At The Fillmore. The tracks were recorded on 23/24 October 1970

28 February

Eric performed his 100th solo show at London's Royal Albert Hall during his 8th annual residency. The concert also served as a benefit for Children in Crisis

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2 May

Eric played a benefit concert for the T.J. Martell Foundation at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City

Eric's 12th solo studio album, From The Cradle, was released. It won a Grammy Award for “Best Traditional Blues Album” and became his only #1 UK album to date

Eric was the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on NBC-TV in the US (Season 20, Episode 1)

28 September

Eric's final rehearsal for the Nothing But The Blues Tour was filmed for later television broadcast on VH-1 at the Manhattan Center Studios in New York City

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3 October

Opening night of Eric's Nothing But The Blues North American Tour took place at The Forum in Montreal, Quebec. The arena tour ended a month later on 4 November at the San Jose Arena in California

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7 November

Eric's US Tour supporting his all-blues album From The Cradle opened with 3 shows at The Fillmore in San Francisco, California which were filmed for the Nothing But The Blues documentary 

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16 November

Eric's album, From The Cradle, received Gold, Platinum and 2X Platinum Record Awards from the RIAA (US)

A remastered expanded edition of Eric Clapton's Rainbow Concert was released on the 22nd anniversary of the concert at the Rainbow Theatre in London

15 February

Eric opened the UK leg of his 1995 From The Cradle Tour with a concert at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow. The tour went to Europe, the US, and Japan before it ended on 13 October at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo

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19 February

First night of Eric's 9th annual residency at London's Royal Albert Hall. The twelve shows were part of his From The Cradle Tour

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16 March

Eric's album, From The Cradle, received a 3X Platinum Record Award from the RIAA (US)

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4 May

Eric won "Crossover Artist of the Year" at the 16th W.C. Handy Blues Awards ceremony by The Blues Foundation

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11 May 

Jimmie Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, BB King, Bonnie Raitt, Dr John, and Art Neville played a tribute concert for Steve Ray Vaughan that was filmed and recorded on the University of Texas Campus in Austin. It was later released as A Tribute To Stevie Ray Vaughan in CD and video formats

Eric and Dr John took part in filming Jools Holland's Hootenanny for broadcast on New Year's Eve at the BBC Television Centre in White City, London

Eric recorded incidental music for the film, The Van at Olympic Studios in London

Eric recorded “Change The World” with Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds at Village Recorders in Los Angeles for the Phenomenon film soundtrack

16 February

Eric played a warm-up show for his 10th Royal Albert Hall residency at the NYNEX Arena in Manchester plus Unplugged, received a 10X Platinum Record Award from the RIAA (US)

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18 February

Eric performed his 10th and final annual residency at the Royal Albert Hall in London. There were 12 shows. After this run, he returned to the venue for occasional residencies

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19 March

Eric was one of the performers at The Prince's Youth Business Trust 10th Anniversary: A Royal Gala at London's Royal Albert Hall. It was broadcasted live on Carlton Television

Eric's compilation box set, Crossroads 2 (Live In The Seventies), was released

Eric and Dr John filmed an episode of Duets for VH1 at Roseland Ballroom in New York City

Eric Clapton, Elton John, Sheryl Crow, Joan Osborne, Liza Minelli and others took part in the Luciano Pavarotti and Friends for War Child benefit concert at Parco Novi Sad in Modena, Italy

Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, The Who, Alannis Morissette, Jools Holland and Imogen Heap performed sets at the Masters of Music Concert For The Prince's Trust in Hyde Park, London

"Change The World" was released as a single. It spent 43 weeks in the US Top 40

Eric and Simon Climie collaborated on music for an upcoming Giorgio Armani Fashion Show at Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood, California. Some of the music made it onto Eric's side project, T.D.F.’s Retail Therapy album in 1997

Eric is one of the performers at the Giorgio Armani Gala at the Lexington Armory in New York City. Plus "Change The World," received a Gold Record Award from the RIAA (US)

Eric began recording his album, Pilgrim, at Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood, California.  The sessions continued in November in London at Olympic Studios through 1997

January - February

Eric recorded the soundtrack for Nil By Mouth at Olympic Studios in London in January. During this time, he also played on guest sessions for the Tony Rich Project and BeBe WInans

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26 February

Eric won 3 Grammy Awards in ceremonies held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He also performed his blockbuster single, "Change The World," with Babyface during the live telecast

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3 July

The final rehearsal for the Legends Jazz Tour took place at Auditorium Stravinsky in Montreux, Switzerland. Legends played 11 jazz festivals through 17 July. A number of the concerts were filmed and recorded

Twelve years after its release, Eric's 1985 album, Behind The Sun, received a Platinum Record Award from the RIAA (US)

Eric played a guest session with BB King at Town House Studios in London for BB’s upcoming album, Deuces Wild.

Eric's Live in Hyde Park was released on VHS. It was recorded on 29 June 1996 during the MasterCard Masters of Music Concert for The Prince's Trust

Eric along with Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Ray Cooper, Carl Perkins, Jimmy Buffet, Mark Knopfler and Elton John performed a benefit concert, Music for Montserrat at the Royal Albert Hall in London

The Cream CD box set, Those Were The Days, was released

Eric filmed a guest appearance on Babyface Unplugged for MTV at the Manhattan Center Studios in New York. They recorded "Change The World" and "Talk To Me" in front of a live audience

Eric started his Far East Tour with his first-ever concert in South Korea at the Olympic Gymnasium in Seoul. The tour ended on 31 October at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo

Derek and The Dominos' "Layla" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame which honors musical recordings of lasting historical significance

Eric and BB King recorded their collaborative album Riding With The King at Ocean Way Recording in Los Angeles, California

Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, which honors musical recordings of lasting historical significance

Eric was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist and became the only triple-inductee in ceremonies held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City - he was previously recognized for his work in The Yardbirds and Cream

Eric reunited with fellow Domino, Bobby Whitlock, at a taping for the BBC2 TV show, Later with Jools Holland - it was their first performance together in almost 30 years

Eric and BB King's album Riding With The King was released, which went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album

12 July

Eric and BB King's album Riding With The King received a Gold and Platinum Record Awards from the RIAA (US)

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September – October

In September, Eric began recording his album Reptile at Record One Studios in Sherman Oaks, California. He finished the album at Olympic Studios in London in October

Blind Faith's self-titled album was given the deluxe treatment and released on 2CD with bonus tracks

EC, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Charlotte Church, Destiny’s Child and others were guest performers at the Wyclef Jean Foundation Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City

3 February

First night of Eric's Reptile World Tour took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London. It was his most ambitious tour and ran through 15 December in Yokohama, Japan

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27 February

Eric and BB King's album Riding With The King received a 2X Platinum Record Award from the RIAA (US)

Eric's 14th solo studio album Reptile was released. It reached the Top 10 in 20 countries

Eric's album Reptile received a Gold Record Award from the RIAA (US)

Eric was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (US)

Eric's two consecutive nights at the Staples Center in Los Angeles during his Reptile Tour were filmed and recorded for the CD/DVD One More Car, One More Rider (released 2002)

Eric was one of many performers at The Concert for New York at Madison Square Garden. It broadcasted live on radio and television, the benefit honored those lost on 9/11 and first responders

Eric played on the track “Freedom” for Paul McCartney at Quad Studios in New York City. It was released as a single and as a hidden track on McCartney’s Driving Rain CD the following mont

Eric won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Performance for the song "Reptile"

Eric was one of the many performers at the Party at the Palace to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. The concert was broadcast live by the BBC on television and radio and later released on CD and video formats

Eric played on “Never Without You” (a tribute to George Harrison) and “Imagine Me There” for Ringo Starr’s album, Ringorama, at Roccabella Studios in Cranleigh, Surrey

Eric headlined a Ferrari and Maserati Festival concert at Brands Hatch Racing Circuit in Kent

Eric was one of the performers at the Carl Wilson Foundation Benefit at UCLA Royce Hall in Los Angeles, California

One More Car, One More Rider was released on CD and DVD - it was filmed and recorded at Eric's August 2001 concerts at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California

Eric performed and served as Musical Director for the all-star George Harrison tribute concert, The Concert for George at London's Royal Albert Hall, which was later released on CD and DVD

Cream's BBC Sessions was released on 2CD

Eric took part in a Teenage Cancer Trust Benefit Concert organized by Roger Daltrey at the Royal Albert Hall in London

Eric was one of many performers at Willie Nelson's 70th Birthday Concert at the Beacon Theatre in New York. It was filmed for later television broadcast and released on CD/DVD

Eric was one of the performers at the Pavarotti and Friends SOS Iraq Benefit Concert for War Child at Parco Novi Sad in Modena, Italy

Eric was one of the guest performers at Blowin' The Blues Away at New York City’s Apollo Theater to benefit Jazz at Lincoln Center

Eric made a guest appearance with John Mayall at Kings Dock in Liverpool. The concert was a benefit for UNICEF and celebrated John's 70th Birthday

The Yardbirds Ultimate was released on 2CD. Eric is featured on 12 tracks recorded forty years earlier in 1963

Eric Clapton & Friends: Live 1986 was released on DVD. It was previously released in 1987 on VHS and LaserDisc under different titles

Eric began recording his next album, Back Home, at Olympic Studios in London. Eric and his band would play Robert Johnson songs between new material and those songs evolved into the album, Me and Mr Johnson. 

Back Home wasn’t completed until April 2005

Eric kicked off his Just For You Japan Tour at the Green Arena in Hiroshima. The short tour ended in Tokyo on 13 December

Eric was one of the guest performers at Gary Brooker & Friends: The Last Fling 1962-2004 at Guildford Civic Hall in Guildford, Surrey – the venue’s final concert before it was torn down

Eric was one of the guest performers at One Generation 4 Another: In Aid of the Lord Taverners Benefit Concert at London's Royal Albert Hall

Eric's 15th solo studio album, Me and Mr. Johnson was released

Eric's Me and Mr. Johnson Tour opened at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona, Spain. With dates in Europe, UK, and US, it ended on 2 August at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California

Eric's first Crossroads Guitar Festival at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. The three day event was broadcast on satellite radio and culminated with an almost eleven-hour all-star concert at the Cotton Bowl

24 June

Eric's second guitar auction for the Crossroads Centre Antigua Foundation took place at Christie's Auction House in New York City - it raised $6.4 million

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4 August

Eric made a guest appearance with Buddy Holly's original band, The Crickets, at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, California

Deluxe Edition of Cream's Disraeli Gears released on 2CD

Eric was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, or CBE, in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace

30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Eric's 461 Ocean Boulevard was released

Eric was one of the artists who took part in filming a tribute to Scotty Moore Abbey Road Studios, St. John's Wood, London

Eric's 16th solo studio album Sessions for Robert J was released as a CD/DVD combo pack and was the audio/video companion to Eric's  March 2004 CD, Me and Mr. Johnson. It was filmed and recorded between March and mid-August at Hookend Manor in Berkshire, The Studios at Los Colinas in Texas and Hotel Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica, California.

Eric and Roger Waters pre-recorded their appearance on the US fundraising effort Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope for next day broadcast on radio and television

Eric, backed by Jools Holland and His Orchestra, headlined the Tsunami Relief Concert at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. The fundraising event was broadcast by the BBC on television and radio

Eric's song, "Say What You Will," was released on the CD Love The Earth as part of EXPO 2005 in Aichi, Japan

Eric took part in Comic Relief's 10th Annual ‘Red Nose Day’ during the live broadcast from BBC Television Centre Studios in Wood Lane, London

Eric and BB King inducted Buddy Guy into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. It was pre-recorded for television broadcast on VH-1

Eric made a guest appearance with UB40 at Royal Albert Hall at the Teenage Cancer Trust Benefit Concert

Eric, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker reunited at Royal Albert Hall in London for four Cream Reunion shows which were filmed and recorded for release in October

Eric and Jeff Beck kicked off their Together and Apart Tour with the first of two consecutive nights at The O2 in London. The mini-tour visited New York, Toronto and Montreal.

Eric made a guest appearance with The Plastic Ono Band for Yoko Ono's 75th Birthday Concert at BAM Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York

Eric launched an 11-date US Tour at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It ended on 13 March in Orlando, Florida

Eric and Steve Winwood launched their 14-date UK and European Clapton/Winwood Tour at the LG Arena in Birmingham, England. The tour ended on 13 June with a concert at Kurucesme Arena in Istanbul, Turkey

Eric's 3rd Crossroads Guitar Festival took place at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois.  He followed it up with four US dates in Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Detroit

Eric's 18th solo studio album Clapton was released on CD, vinyl and digital audio formats (28 September in the US)

Eric was one of the guests on the live television broadcast of Later…With Jools Holland on BBC-2 - he performed a few songs from his new album Clapton

Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2010 was released on DVD and Blu-Ray (released 9 November in the US) - it was filmed on 26 June at Toyota Park in Bridgeville, Illinois

Eric headlined the multi-act Prince's Trust Rock Gala 2010 at Royal Albert Hall in London - it was filmed for later television broadcast

11 February

Eric started a short 5-date Middle East/Far East tour at the Yas Arena in Abu Dhabi, with concerts in Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and South Korea before heading to North America for 9 dates. The tour ended on 9 March at the Gibson Amphitheater in Universal City, California

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10 – 17 March

Eric began work on a new album Old Sock at Henson Recording Studios in Hollywood, California

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April

While in New York City, Eric played on guest sessions for Paul McCartney at Avatar Studios

Eric and Wynton Marsalis teamed up for three nights of performances. The last two were filmed and recorded and were released on 13 September as Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton Play The Blues

Eric started a month-long tour of Ireland, the UK and Scandinavia with a gig at The O2 in Dublin. At Royal Albert Hall, he played six solo shows followed by five shows with Steve Winwood. The tour ended on 11 June in Herning, Denmark

Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton Play The Blues was released on CD, DVD and Blu-ray

Eric started his first South American Tour at Centro de Eventos Fiergs in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The six-concert tour ended on 16 October at the Movistar Arena in Santiago, Chile

Eric teamed up with Steve Winwood for a 13-date tour of Japan starting at the Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center in Sapporo. The tour ended on 10 December at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo

Eric performed an acoustic concert at Buckingham Palace in London for the Duke of Edinburgh's Outward Bound Trust Appeal

Eric was one of the special guests at Howlin’ for Hubert, a memorial show for Hubert Sumlin that served as a fundraiser for the Jazz Foundation of America

Eric was a surprise guest with The Rolling Stones to help them celebrate the band’s 50th Anniversary at the O2 Arena in London

Eric was one of the performers for ‘12.12.12 - The Concert For Sandy Relief’ at Madison Square Garden in New York City, which was broadcast on TV and streamed worldwide to raise funds for those affected by Superstorm Sandy in New York and New Jersey

Eric's 19th solo studio album Old Sock was released on CD, vinyl and digital audio formats

Eric started his 50th Anniversary Tour at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The US leg ended on 6 April at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Eric hosted the 4th Crossroads Guitar Festival in a two-night event at Madison Square Garden

Eric started the UK and European leg of his 50th Anniversary Tour at The O2 in Dublin, Ireland. It included seven nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The tour ended on 19 June at the O2 Arena in Prague, Czech Republic

Unplugged Deluxe was released on CD and DVD in the UK, Czech Republic, Austria, South Africa, Hong Kong, Poland, France, Denmark, and Norway

Unplugged Deluxe was released on CD and DVD in the US, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Italy, and Spain

Unplugged Deluxe was released on CD and DVD in Japan and Sweden

Eric headlined two nights to close out the Baloise Sessions in Basel, Switzerland - excerpts were aired on Swiss Radio on 18 November

Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013 was released on various audio and video formats

Eric's Give Me Strength: The 1974/1975 Recordings box set was released

EC, Michael Kamen and David Sanborn's Lethal Weapon Soundtrack Collection was released as a limited edition of 3000 copies. The 8CD box set featured the music for all four films

Eric began his Far East/Middle East Tour with a concert at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. Following seven concerts in Japan, it moved on to Singapore, Dubai and Bahrain. The tour was filmed for a documentary that was released later in the year as Planes, Trains and Eric

Eric opened a 4-concert US Tour by headlining the 45th New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Eric opened a 5-concert UK/Europe Tour at the SSE Hydro, Glasgow

Eric Clapton & Friends: The Breeze - An Appreciation of J.J. Cale was released on CD, LP and digital audio formats

The documentary Planes, Trains and Eric, with 13 complete performances from the 2014 Tour, was released on varying dates around the world

Cream 1966-1972, a limited-edition vinyl-only box set presenting the band’s six studio and live albums was released

Eric was announced as an inductee to the Blues Hall of Fame by The Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee. He was the first British musician to be honored

Eric celebrated his 70th Birthday with two concerts at Madison Square Garden in New York City followed by 7 shows at Royal Albert Hall in London.  In New York, Doyle Bramhall II, John Mayer, Derek Trucks and Jimmie Vaughan were guests. The London shows were filmed and released as Slowhand at 70

Eric marked his 200th appearance at London's Royal Albert Hall since 1964. He dedicated the performance to BB King who passed away the day before

Eric headlined a fundraising concert for Beefy's Charity Foundation honoring legendary cricketer and tireless philanthropist Sir Ian "Beefy" Botham

Limited-edition box set of ten of Cream’s US/UK mono singles was released

Slowhand at 70, recorded live at Royal Albert Hall on 20 and 21 May, was released on DVD, Blu-ray, CD, vinyl and digital editions

Slowhand at 70 reached Number 1 in 7 countries: United States, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and Sweden and Number 2 in the United Kingdom and Netherlands

Eric Clapton - The Studio Album Collection, an eight-piece vinyl only box set with all of Eric's solo studio albums from his time with Polydor/RSO, was released

Eric Clapton - The Live Album Collection 1970-1980 was released as a 4-album / 6 disc vinyl only box set of Eric's live albums from his time with Polydor/RSO

Eric opened a five-night residency which ran through 19 April at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. Ed Sheeran sat in for a few songs on opening night

Eric's 20th solo studio album I Still Do was released. It debuted at Number 1 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums chart

Eric Clapton and Guests: Crossroads Revisited – an audio compilation of highlights from all of Eric's Crossroads Guitar Festivals – was released on 2CD and digital audio formats

Live in San Diego with Special Guest JJ Cale was released on CD, vinyl and digital audio formats. It was filmed and recorded on 15 March 2007 at the iPayOne Center in San Diego, California

Eric performed at a gala charity event celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Outward Bound Trust at Buckingham Palace

Cream: Goodbye Tour Live 1968 was released as a 4-CD box set

Eric was the music director and just one of the artists who performed at A Tribute To Ginger Baker at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London which honored the life of the Cream drummer

Eric performed at the charity event Music For Marsden along with Gary Brooker, Tom Jones, Bonnie Tyler, Van Morrison and others at The O2 in Greenwich

A YouTube video of a duet by MARO and Eric on “Tears In Heaven” was released

Eric and BB King’s Riding With The King was re-released as a 20th Anniversary Edition with bonus tracks

50th Anniversary Editions of Derek and The Dominos Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs were released

Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival 2019 was released on various audio and video formats. It was filmed and recorded at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on 20-21 September 2019

“Stand and Deliver,” performed by Eric and written by Van Morrison, was released as a single

Eric and Van Morrison, as Slowhand and Van, released a new single, “The Rebels”

A 4CD deluxe anniversary edition of Eric's self-titled first solo album was released

Eric released a new single, “This Has Gotta Stop.” The song was then re-released in October as a duet with Van Morrison

Eric opened an 8-concert US Tour at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. It ended at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida on 26 September

Eric and Van Morrison, as Slowhand and Van, released a duet of “This Has Gotta Stop”

Eric's The Lady In The Balcony: Lockdown Sessions was released on audio and video formats. It was recorded at Cowdray House the previous year

Eric released a new single, “Heart Of A Child”

Eric played a one-off concert at the Al Dana Amphitheatre at Umm Jidar, Hawart Ingah, Bahrain. "Smile" made its first set list appearance in 48 years

Eric opened his 2022 Tour with the first of two nights at Royal Albert Hall in London. The 24 concerts also visited cities in the US and Europe before it ended on 14 October at the Hallenstadion in Zurich

The 1995 Eric documentary, Nothing But The Blues, was released on video format along with a companion album

Eric released a new single, “Pompous Fool”

Eric's The Complete Reprise Studio Albums – Volume I was released as a limited edition 12-LP box set

Eric's The Complete Reprise Studio Albums – Volume 2 was released as a limited edition 10-LP box set

Eric opened a five-night residency at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. The shows ran through 24 April and included Eric's 100th show at the venue since 1974