Born on March 30: Eric Clapton, even the Gods falter

It was in Ripley, in the UK, that Eric Clapton was born on March 30, 1945.

His father, a Canadian soldier, returned to his country at the end of the war, while his mother, barely sixteen years old, entrusted him to his grandparents before going abroad herself. As a turbulent child, the boy received a guitar for his thirteenth birthday, with his grandparents hoping to channel his tendency to get into trouble. They say music soothes the soul, doesn't it?

The young man, thrilled by this gift, frequented clubs, befriended local musicians, and honed his technique, allowing him to join the Yardbirds, who covered blues classics. The young boys released a few tracks and created memories on tour. However, Clapton found it too commercial and left the group to join another: the Bluesbreakers. Already lauded as a prodigy, people even graffitied in the London Underground: 'Clapton is God'. Yet, once more, the chapter was closed as Clapton left the group, not finding the soul he seemed desperately to seek.

He then formed 'Cream' with two other renowned musicians, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce. Despite egos clashing and some sparks flying, the group held strong, offering their audience legendary moments on stage. Three albums later and 5 million records sold worldwide, the trio parted ways, making a mark with their final production, 'Goodbye'.

Clapton then joined 'Blind Faith'. Immediate but fleeting success as Clapton once again closed the door, after less than a year of collaboration. Tired of these repeated failures, he released his first solo album, simply titled 'Eric Clapton', before joining a new group in the early 1970s, 'Derek and the Dominos'. A new chapter tarnished by the guitarist's drug use and the death of his friend Duane Allman.

This led Clapton into a long descent into hell, marked by a heroin addiction he couldn't shake off. A few years later, encouraged by his friend Pete Townshend, he broke free from this dependence and resurfaced, faltering but still standing on stage. In 1974, he founded '461 Ocean Boulevard' and helped launch the career of a then-unknown Bob Marley, covering the famous 'I Shot the Sheriff'.

Clapton then battled alcohol and needed several years of distance and rehabilitation to return, releasing 'August' in 1986 and 'Journeyman' three years later. Life was not kind as he faced the death of his four-year-old son in 1991. 'Tears in Heaven', he sang, broken by this tragedy.

In 1992, he presented 'Unplugged', where he returned to his roots, playing blues classics, as well as some of his most famous songs, such as 'Layla', written at the time to declare his love for his best friend George Harrison's wife. The following years saw him continue with collaborations, tours, and new releases, in a new surge of life and music. His discography was completed with live albums or compilations, up until the release of 'I Still Do' in 2016 and, just recently, 'Meanwhile'. This year, the legend announced his return to the stage. At 80 years old, he continues to play music as the best therapy.

(MH with Céline Massart - Photo: © Etienne Tordoir)

Photo: Eric Clapton on stage at the Playhouse in Edinburgh (Scotland) on 28 February 1985