Clapton- The Autobiography

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Good book if you are a fan
This was a great book for Eric Clapton fans. Great to hear all about the stories behind the songs, the bands,and his battle with drugs and alcohol. Gets a little slow at times, but enjoyable if you really want to get to know him.

Worth it if you like Clapton
I'm surprised how many people upon reading this book have decided that Clapton is some sort of horrible monster who should be shunned. I specifically read this book to get a better idea of his addictions and relationships and was satisfied by what I found. It is a shame that he wasted so many years bombed out of his mind, but at the same time, he was producing incredible, if inconsistent, music. I don't understand why someone would read this if they didn't like Clapton. It's like people came to this book completely ignorant of his past. These must be the people who got into him during his Unplugged success, people who never bothered to look back over his whole career. If you're a Clapton fan, this will give you the inside scoop on a facinating, often sad, life story. My only complaint is that the last 50 pages or so are BORING as hell. It's like listening to a dull uncle recall what he did over vacation. After he recounts his Unplugged success, close the book and feel satisfied.

If Clapton is the protagonist, then drugs and alcohol are the antagonists
Fame is a funny thing. Famous people live their lives under the scrutiny of the media, fans, and fair-weather friends. Because of an exceptional talent, the person lives in a world that is not real, in that world develops an unreal self-perception, and acts based on that distorted perception. In the meantime, fans and devotees develop an image of the famous person based on information carefully disseminated by a publicist or simply through their own imagination, believing a person who can sing or play or write or put a ball or a puck in a goal so singularly well can only maintain that level of distinction in his or her personal life. Fans of Eric Clapton, the musician/singer/songwriter, are likely to be disappointed by `Clapton: The Autobiography' because it is, in fact, honest. In addition to all of the heavily publicized episodes in Clapton's life, including his birth out of wedlock to a woman he was raised to believe was his sister, his departure from the Yardbirds because he believed they had become too "commercial" after the studio session for "For Your Love," his love for and marriage to Patty Boyd, and the tragic death of his son Conor, the reader of Clapton is certain to learn that he his, in fact, human. Like all humans, Eric Clapton has experiences the same emotions, to greater or lesser degrees, as just about every other inhabitant of the planet. The reader discovers that Eric Clapton is self-conscious, egocentric, narcissistic, and capable of petty jealousies, has suffered from depression, and was often not able to control his use drugs and alcohol. In the process of his experiences, he alienated many friends and colleagues. What I found most intriguing and entertaining about `Clapton: The Autobiography' was its rawness and honesty. I think it is clear that Eric literally wrote the book himself. (Obviously, the word "autobiography" in the title suggests the book was written by the subject, but that is not always the case.) The rhythm of the book and the ideas that Clapton conveys are clear and direct. Also, there appear to be no subject that is off-limits. He starkly discusses his addictions and the destructive relationships in his life. He talks about his like or dislike for any one of a number of his contemporaries, including Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger, Billy Preston, B.B. King, and J.J. Cale among many others. He explores in some detail his relationship with George Harrison, whose wife Clapton eventually married. In other cases, Clapton indicates his like for one or another of his generation, other times he highlights his opinion of their eccentricities, and on still other occasions, he describes his envy and jealousy of them for reasons ranging from their musical skills or their ability to enchant and steal from Clapton his love interests. I particularly appreciate Clapton's honesty where his personal beliefs and interests are concerned. For example, among many of the music, art, and Hollywood crowd, hunting and firearms are about as popular as the cigarette manufacturers. Clapton makes no excuses for his love for hunting and shooting, nor does he hide his smoking. Similarly, he makes not secret of his suspicions and distrust of people like Rupert Murdoch and George Bush. Although not addressed in the book, these examples of Clapton's individuality reminded me of 1993 when he won a bunch of Grammy's for `Unplugged;' every other presenter and award-winner wore a red AIDS ribbon - except for Clapton. Whatever else he is, Clapton is his own person. If Clapton is the protagonist in `Clapton: The Autobiography,' then drugs and alcohol are the antagonists whose affects prevented Clapton from self-actualizing. If it can be considered such, the "resolution" included Clapton "getting clean" in the late 1980's, maturing to the point he could be a productive half of a meaningful relationship, and creating the Crossroads Clinic in Antigua to help others trapped by addiction. It appears to be a happy ending. I, for one, hope that it is.

An eye opener
Highly Recommended for the musician and nonmusician alike. It's nice to hear the story from the source, in their own words. Clapton is exceptionally truthful and totally upfront in his efforts are telling you who he is and what he's about. As a teenager, I totally worshipped Clapton and Hendrix, the Beatles and the 'Stones. Therefore, you develop in your mind a perception of what their like based on stories that you've read and heard. CLAPTON, the biography has totally blown my perception of him as a person away. For years I have held him on a pedastel CLAPTON's story tells otherwise of a person only being too human like everyone else. His upbringing which was and is very unusual ultimately shaped him as he grew into a young man and now into a fullgrown adult. You must read Patti Boyd's bio because it corresponds totally with his and validates his bio here. I was quite taken aback at how rotten he treated Patti and used other women in his life. He admits that he has done this, maybe not as a conscious move but one spurred on by alcohol and drugs. Yes, he too was a product of his age...the age ('60s and 70's) of drug and alcohol excess. You get to learn of his family, daughter and son and as well his other relationships. Clapton has come full circle from his humble beginnings to king-like status back to humility and acknowledgement of his own faults. This is a great read, but again, you should read Patti Boyd's bio to get a full "picture" of what the age of aquarius was like. I recommend this book.

Don't bother
I love Clapton's music, but as a man he's shallow and has spent decades being unconscious - either as a heroin addict or an alcoholic. This is a badly written tale of a man who somehow survived. Not insightful. Not someone I'd like to know. Not inspiring. Buy a Cream CD instead.