ARTISTS INFLUENCED BY BUDDY HOLLY
Eric Clapton
Known by fans as "Slowhand", describing his fascinating guitar-playing skills, Eric Clapton has had a successful musical career as a solo artist and as a member of various bands including the Yardbirds, John Mayell’s Bluesbreakers, Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominoes and his own band, Cream.
Plagued with heroin and alcohol addictions, Clapton still released some of the most influential songs in popular music history such as "Layla", "Wonderful Tonight", and "Cocaine". Throughout his professional and personal highs and lows, the 1988 release of "Crossroads" made it clear that Clapton had reached the pinnacle of his success. The four-CD compilation was named Best Historical Album and won a Grammy for the Best Linear Notes. During this high point in Clapton’s life, he was plagued with tragedy in late 1990 with the deaths of guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan and Clapton road crew members Colin Smythe and Nigel Browne who were killed in a helicopter crash. Later that year, his son Conor (who he shared with Lori Del Santo) fell to his death from the 49th floor of a high-rise Manhattan apartment. In 1992, Clapton won a Grammy for his song "Tears in Heaven", a tribute to his late son. His live album "Unplugged" went on to win multiple Grammy’s and became Clapton’s most successful album to date. In 1997, he collaborated with musician Babyface to create the song "Change the World" earning Grammy’s for Record of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. In 2004, Clapton released "Me and Mr. Johnson" – a tribute to blues Legend Robert Johnson. The album went gold and hit the Top 10 charts. He has recently released a CD/DVD named "Sessions For Robert J", a companion disc to his 2004 release. Check out Eric Clapton’s Official Website at www.ericclapton.com
Quotes
My earliest heroes were Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley. I didn't discover the black guys till later. Where I was situated in England, the white music was the first stuff I got, with Buddy Holly and Elvis Presley. Then I started scratching the surface and I saw that behind that there was this whole kingdom of music.
One summer I remember, I got exposed to Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly and Buddy Holly was very very big, made a very big impression on me. Because of a lot of things, you know, the way he looked and his charisma. There was something lonely about the guy and very ordinary, you know he was, he gave hope to millions of kids with glasses.
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