Eric Clapton
United Kingdom, 1962–now
English blues guitarist who played with the Yardbirds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Cream and Derek and the Dominos before a long solo career, bringing Robert Johnson and Chicago blues repertoire into rock.
MusicRoots documents 4 artists who influenced Eric Clapton and 3 artists Eric Clapton influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.
Who influenced Eric Clapton?
- Robert Johnson — Clapton has called Robert Johnson his single most important influence — 'the most powerful cry that I think you can find in the human voice'.
- Muddy Waters — Muddy Waters was, in Clapton's words, 'the father figure I never really had' — the Chicago electric blues at the root of his playing.
- B.B. King — B.B. King's singing, string-bending lead style was a core model for Clapton, and later a lifelong friend and collaborator.
- Buddy Guy — Guy showed Clapton what an electric blues guitarist could get away with — volume, feedback and sudden dynamics — and Clapton has put him above every other living player. He inducted Guy into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.
Which artists did Eric Clapton influence?
- Lynyrd Skynyrd — Named by Gary Rossington among his guitar influences, with Hendrix, Jeff Beck and Paul Kossoff.
- UFO — Named by Michael Schenker with Cream as a big influence on UFO's hard rock.
- Van Halen — Eddie Van Halen's declared main influence — at 14 he played Cream's 'Crossroads' note for note.