Clapton: The Autobiography by Eric Clapton
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Book Reviews of Clapton: The Autobiography
Book Review: An eye opener
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Book Review: Not a god, just a man
Summary: 5 Stars
First let me say I enjoyed the book very much. One can always wish for more, here and there, and unless someone writes a multi-volume autobiography, something is bound to be left out. If you love rock music and grew up listening to Clapton you will probably enjoy getting to know the man behind the guitar. Very readable and flows well.
Much is being said here, some quite nasty, about Eric Clapton. First of all it was very brave and humble of him to bear his soul in all is good and bad. If you had not gathered from the reading that he is very regretful and remorseful about much of his behavior then you need to re-read the book. If you partake in much reading at all about the rock and roll generation of the 1960, 70 etc, you will quickly discover much of this behavior was typical and standard amoung musicians. People have built-up musicians into "god-like" and are quite disappointed when their god turns into a regular flawed human, that happens to be quite talented and hard-working. It was an age in rebellion. An age that had turned its back on Christian morality, and in the end, after addiction, death, disease and old age have found out there was a wisdom in moral self-restraint. Very few "rock gods" were strong enough to avoid these traps.
It is good now that he has found a sense of self and stability. I congratulate him on his quest for honesty in life and music. Keep growing Eric. Thanks!
Book Review: Clapton is Raw and honest
Summary: 5 Stars
Clapton is Raw and Honest
"Clapton is god!" During the 1960's this phrase began being spray painted all around London's underground in tribute to Eric Clapton's distinguished guitar playing. But who is this guitar playing "god" of the music world?
In "Clapton: The Autobiography" Eric Clapton discusses with complete truthfulness and frankness his life: being born illegitimately, his music, the drug and alcohol abuse, Cross Roads (his rehab center), the womanizing and string of painful relationships, the death of his 4 year old son, how God was the One and only One who could and did save him and finding the love of his life with whom he now enjoys his children and life with. This openness is what makes this publication one of the best autobiographies ever written.
The fact that a man could write with such frankness to a population of readers, many of whom have been his ever supporting fans, the ones who made him a "god" of the music world is nothing short of invigorating. Here is a man, whom was called a "god", yet is unafraid to say that he himself had contributed to many of the hard times and down falls within his life. This type of honestly is not only refreshing, but they type of stuff that can lead many others to healing themselves. For that reason, I consider "Clapton, the Autobiography" to be one of the greatest written works of our time.
Book Review: What a Journey!
Summary: 5 Stars
Anyone who knows Clapton's music knows what an amazing musician he is... but I was deeply moved by his open, honest account of his life, devoid of ego one might expect of a superstar. As a psychotherapist I found myself admiring his incredible journey as an illegitimate child who never knew his father and was rejected by his mother--and raised by simple, uneducated grandparents in a rural backwater--to become a mature, thoughtful, caring man with considerable integrity. He did succumb to multiple drug and alcohol addiction for 20 years, but to his credit he not only overcame them but started a major treatment center in the Bahamas for others who lose their way. There are many who started with much greater advantages in life who did not fare as well in the journey through the political, social, sexual, philosophical and spiritual upheavals of the 60's and 70"--not to mention the added challenges of learning to handle the double-edged swords of fame and fortune. All of which suggests that under all his trials was character, which finally triumphed. Knowing his Journey gave new meaning to his recording of "This Sporting Life" (is killing me). It has killed most who got that lost; my hat's off to him, for not only surviving, but becoming a fine human being--not just a fine musician.Book Review: Maybe Not What You Expected
Summary: 5 Stars
This book may or may not be your cup of tea.
Let me spoil it for you. The good guy wins in the end.
But it's a long, strange trip getting there.
Clapton bares all, pulling no punches in this book. You never know if the next chapter in his life will be a stunning musical victory, or a crushing personal defeat. There's plenty of both, with no punches pulled.
The author goes into great personal detail more about the defeats than the victories. It brings a humanity to Eric Clapton as a man, something easy to forget when you only see the unbelievable talent onstage. One of my own personal memories of seeing Clapton/Muddy Waters finish up a show in the late '70's with a duet of "Kansas City" will stay with me forever.
The book is mostly fast paced in keeping with the author's lifestyle for many years. To see him find contentment after so many years of personal struggle is highly inspirational.
Eric Clapton may very well have went to the Crossroads, but lucky for all of us he didn't sign the contract.