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About
Eric Clapton will perform on Tuesday, May 27, and Wednesday, May 28, 2025, starting with 9:00 pm, at the Unipol Forum, in Assago, near Milan.
ERIC CLAPTON
Eric Clapton is one of the most influential and celebrated guitarists in rock and blues history. His remarkable career spans over six decades, during which he has continually reinvented his style while remaining true to his blues roots.
With numerous accolades, including 18 Grammy Awards and three inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Clapton’s legacy as a musician and cultural icon is firmly cemented.
Eric Patrick Clapton was born on March 30, 1945, in Ripley, Surrey, England. Raised by his grandparents, Clapton’s early life was marked by a discovery that profoundly affected him: his sister was actually his mother.
Clapton’s interest in music began when he received his first guitar at the age of 13.
Though he initially struggled to play, he was inspired by the blues records of artists like Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, and B.B. King.
Clapton’s professional career began in 1963 when he joined The Yardbirds, a British band that initially played blues but later shifted toward pop and rock.
Clapton left the group in 1965 when he felt they were straying too far from their blues roots.
Following his departure from The Yardbirds, Clapton joined John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, a move that solidified his reputation as a master blues guitarist.
His work on the album Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton (1966) earned him the nickname God from fans, who were awed by his soulful playing and technical prowess.
In 1966, Clapton co-founded Cream with bassist Jack Bruce and drummer Ginger Baker.
Cream was one of the first supergroups and a pioneer of the power trio format, blending blues, rock, and psychedelic elements.
Cream achieved massive success with hits like Sunshine of Your Love, White Room, and their iconic rendition of Robert Johnson’s Crossroads.
The band’s virtuosic performances and improvisational style made them a favorite among fans and critics alike. However, internal tensions led to the band’s dissolution in 1968, after just two years together.
Following Cream’s breakup, Clapton formed another supergroup, Blind Faith, with Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker, and Ric Grech.
The band released one self-titled album in 1969, which included the hit Can’t Find My Way Home. Despite their success, Blind Faith disbanded after a single tour.
In 1970, Clapton formed Derek and the Dominos, a band that would produce one of his most enduring works: Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.
The album, heavily influenced by Clapton’s unrequited love for Pattie Boyd (then married to George Harrison), featured the iconic track Layla.
The early 1970s were a tumultuous time for Clapton. He struggled with heroin addiction, which kept him out of the public eye for several years.
It wasn’t until 1974 that he made a triumphant return with the album 461 Ocean Boulevard, which included the hit single I Shot the Sheriff.
Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, Clapton continued to release successful albums, including Slowhand (1977), which featured hits like Wonderful Tonight and Cocaine.
He also collaborated with various artists, including B.B. King, Roger Waters, and Phil Collins.
In 1991, Clapton experienced a personal tragedy when his four-year-old son, Conor, died after falling from a New York City apartment window.
This heartbreaking event deeply affected Clapton and inspired the song Tears in Heaven, a poignant ballad that became one of his most successful singles.
Tears in Heaven earned Clapton multiple Grammy Awards and showcased his ability to convey profound emotion through his music.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Clapton continued to tour and release new music. He explored various musical styles, from acoustic blues to jazz-infused tracks, always staying true to his roots while embracing new influences.
In 1994, Clapton released From the Cradle, a blues album that paid homage to the genre’s pioneers. The album was a commercial and critical success, reaffirming Clapton’s status as a blues icon.
Eric Clapton’s influence on music is immeasurable. He played a pivotal role in popularizing blues rock and inspired countless musicians, including Eddie Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and John Mayer.
Clapton’s contributions to music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He is the only musician to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times: as a member of The Yardbirds, Cream, and as a solo artist.
UNIPOL FORUM
Unipol Forum is an indoor sports arena located in Assago, 8 kilometers away from Milan. The arena has a seating capacity of 12,700 and is primarily used for sporting events and concerts.
The Unipol Forum is located about 450 meters from the Assago Milanofiori Forum Metro station, which can be reached with the Metro Line M2.
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