Eric Clapton: The Autobiography

Having looked forward immensely to his story I was more than a little a disappointed. Whilst clearly written from the heart, it lacked the substance that would have made it a good read. The first 75% was little more than his drug and alcohol filled days and the many opportunities he wasted through his own lack of motivation and focus. It was only in the latter part of the book that one felt one was starting to understand the man. Little doubt he is a phenomenal musician although one feels this happened more by luck than judgement. I was left feeling that the story was empty and I knew very little more about Clapton than I did prior to reading it.

God writes... (4/4 people found this helpful)

'Clapton is God' may have read the grafitti, but the tone of Eric Clapton's first autobiography is shy, matter-of-fact, flat. This may disappoint some but to me it made it all the more real...this is, after all, just how we expect Eric to communicate: his music is sublime, but his personality understated, introverted, filled for much of his life with the fear yet the encouragement of rejection that contributed to his alcoholism and heroin addiction.

Nothing is left out. He is unsparing about himself, his honesty, even understated, shining through on every page. His life, after all, has been very full and included plenty of demons. His account of his feelings following the accidental death of his son is almost too painful to read. His passion for helping other addicts, however, is warm and heartfelt.

Also evident is his generosity to other musicians he admires. Comparing him to Hedrix is now a standard pub conversation and he has nothing but praise for him. He compliments musician after musician. For him it really does seem to be 'all about the music'. The other stuff is there too: the affair with George Harrison's wife; the fact that his parents hid his illigitimacy from him; the entertaining anecdotes such as the difficulty of having a slash on the White House lawn. But, despite the fact that he rarely does much more than name song titles and musicians, it is the music that shines through: you want to run to those CDs and listen to them all over again.

Clapton is a remarkable guitarist and this is a remarkable account of a life filled with real sadness and happiness. Thank God there are still a few older people writing autobiographies these days!

This book rocks (2/2 people found this helpful)

I came away from this book with a new respect for Mr Clapton. His book is very candid, honest, tragic & heartfelt. This man lead a very troubled life. He treated the women is his life terribly & he knows it. He comes across as very down to earth. I am not going to beat him up just because he was a cad. We all have our faults & his book made me reflect upon that. At least Eric was honest enough to put his past out there for the whole world to read. 'I would not!' The chapter about his son was very hard to get through for me. It makes one realize rich or poor, famous or not everyone has trials & tragedies one must get through. I also LOVE his music!! The guitar man's music still sends shivers up my spine.
Also recommended, the book "Understanding Train of Thought".

Pure and honest... (1/1 people found this helpful)

I very rarely read autobiography's but considering Clapton was my childhood hero I made an exception. I loved this book. What's nice is that he is so open and honest and when looking back he can see how his character was flawed. It's funny - you expect your heroes to be perfect; but they never are. What amazes me is his lifestyle and just how rife drug taking is in the industry and how it is almost accepted as normality. I hope it is better nowadays. Then you get musicians like Vai, who don't drink, smoke etc... and it doesn't stifle his creativity which is a common misconception with drug use. Stephen King wrote his best work when he was a druggie/alcoholic though...(!)

I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's also nice that he is honest but still manages to keep some mystery and things private. The chapters on his relationship with Pattie Boyd make interesting reading. I always thought it was strange how Clapton and Harrison could remain friends after him stealing Pattie from George - but this explains it well - although it is still very weird!

Buy it now knuckle-heads...

Slowhand can write, as well... (0/0 people found this helpful)

Somehow this book was all one expected after so long, rather like one of its author's guitar solos. Solid, meaningful, leaving one wishing it were twice as long... This is an autobiography in name only, in that Mr Clapton mostly chronicles the lives of those people he has known, and this with a warm generosity, while meanwhile still keeping himself slightly hidden, which only mirrors his public persona. This is masterful writing, fluent and articulate. Buy it, because maybe like that the author will garner enough funds to buy back his old guitar which he sold in auction at a record price for a good cause!

Eric Clapton: The Autobiography

Eric Clapton

Reader Reviews:

Wasted opportunities (0/0 people found this helpful)

God writes... (4/4 people found this helpful)

This book rocks (2/2 people found this helpful)

Pure and honest... (1/1 people found this helpful)

Slowhand can write, as well... (0/0 people found this helpful)

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