Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (Order of the British Empire) (born 30 March 1945) is an English blues-rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, and composer. Clapton has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Yardbirds, of Cream (Cream (band)), and as a solo performer, being the only person ever to be inducted three times. Often viewed by critics and fans alike as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, Clapton was ranked fourth (List of guitarists considered the greatest) in Rolling Stone (Rolling Stone (magazine)) magazines list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and #53 on their list of the Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Although Clapton has varied his musical style throughout his career, it has always remained grounded in the blues. Yet, in spite of this focus, he is credited as an innovator in a wide variety of genres. These include blues-rock (with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and the Yardbirds) and psychedelic rock (with Cream (Cream (band))). Claptons chart success was not limited to the blues, with chart-toppers in Delta Blues (Me and Mr. Johnson), pop (pop music) ("Change the World") and reggae (Bob Marleys "I Shot the Sheriff"). Two of his most successful recordings were the hit love song "Layla", which he played with the band Derek and the Dominos, and Robert Johnson (Robert Johnson (musician))s "Crossroads (Cross Road Blues)", which has been his staple song since his days with Cream.