Eric Clapton

Known for his involvement with several legendary classic rock groups and as an innovator of the blues-rock style, Eric Clapton is widely regarded as one of the best guitarists of the modern era. He started his career with The Yardbirds, a 1960s psychedelic rhythm and blues garage band that would at various times include British classic rock royalty such as Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck. Popular songs like "For Your Love" showcased a young Clapton experimenting with styles and tones, offering hints of what would come later. In the latter half of the decade, he'd partner up with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker to form Cream, a power trio that first initiated the classic blues and electric guitar-driven rock and roll hybrid that Clapton would build his name upon. By the time he launched his solo career in the mid-1970s, he was already one of rock music's most prominent names. His work has dabbled in classic blues, psychedelic rock, acoustic balladry, New Orleans jazz and has seen him collaborate with B.B. King, George Harrison, John Mayall, Phil Collins and Luciano Pavarotti, to name just a few. And to top off an already legendary list of accomplishments, Clapton is currently the only member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to have been inducted on three separate occasions.