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Known as a rock god, blues guitarist Eric Clapton has successfully overcome his nasty alcohol and drug addiction. Despite his personal battles, he remains one of the most legendary musicians on today’s global touring circuit. Not only has Clapton been clean and sober for decades, but he’s also known to assist others who are overcoming addiction by auctioning off his expensive guitars.
Hailing from Surrey, England in 1945, Clapton was a shy kid who found stability in the blues. Proficient guitar skills at a young age led him to the Yardbirds in 1963 for two years. “Clapton is God” was often spray-painted on walls around the UK. He then formed Cream with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker and released psychedelic hits, such as “Sunshine of Your Love,” “White Room” and “Crossroads.” It didn’t take long for Clapton to get lured into the drug-fueled industry. In his autobiography Clapton, the guitar god states that he spent about 8,000 pounds or roughly $16,000 a week on heroin. Rather than seeking drug addiction treatment, he was often confined to his home. Rarely did fans get to see the man perform onstage.
Eric Clapton Lost himself in Drug Addiction
Cream broke up in 1968, and Clapton played in other groups, like Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominos. He was an alcoholic and addicted to heroin by the time he began playing solo in 1970. It wasn’t long for his addictions to affect his career. Clapton passed out onstage during George Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh in 1972. Even when he was strong enough for overcoming drug addiction, Clapton still had his battles with alcohol. He once had to perform a concert lying on his back, as he was too drunk to stand up and play. “It didn’t seem that outlandish to me, and in fact, probably was all I was capable of. It was either that or just laying down somewhere else,” he said to NRP Music in 2007. “The fact that I was laying down on stage means at least I showed up.”