If you know anything about the life and legend that is Eric Clapton(R&R HofF 2000), you have heard that someone wrote “Clapton is god” on a London subway station back in the 60’s. Even in his early twenties, his admirers were legion and their fervor was contagious. From his early beginnings with John Mayall’s ‘Blues Breakers’ to the Yard birds(RnR HofF 1992)Cream(RnR HofF 1993), Blind Faith, Derek and the Dominos and his solo career, Eric Clapton has been reluctant to step in to the spotlight. He has always wanted his songs and guitar playing to be the focus, not him personally. It’s safe to say that Clapton has his ego in check when it came to his personal faith in a higher being.

When Clapton was 9 years old, he learned that the “Auntie” that was raising him was actually his mother. All he ever knew about his father was that he was a Canadian soldier. When you consider that he was born in 1942 in the middle of WW 2, you understand that he was born under a bad sign. It is written that he was insecure and felt alienated growing up. Perhaps this is what drew him to the blues.

In 1967 he teamed up with Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker and Rick Gresch to form one of the earliest super groups in ‘Blind Faith’. They recorded just one self-titled album which produced a number of hits which received considerable air time on radio. Arguably the most popular song from that album was ‘Presence of the Lord’, written by Clapton. To jog your memory, here are the lyrics…

I have finally found a way to live,

Just like I never could before.

I know that I don’t have much to give,

But I can open any door.

Everybody knows the secret,

Everybody knows the score.

I have finally found a way to live,

In the color of the Lord.

I have finally found a place to live,

Just like I never could before.

And I know that I don’t have much to give,

But soon I’ll open any door.

Everybody knows the secret,

Everybody knows the score.

I have finally found a place to live,

In the presence of the Lord (2X).

I have finally found a way to live,

Just like I never could before.

And I know I don’t have much to give,

But I can open any door.

Everybody knows the secret,

Everybody knows the score.

I have finally found a way to live,

In the color of the Lord (2X).

Clapton never intentionally wanted to be seen as a model of Christian faith, and he admits that freely. You see, when Blind Faith toured, Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett opened up for them. Clapton admired Delaney’s singing style and his Southern Baptist preacher persona. Delaney encouraged Clapton to sing more, telling him it was a gift to be used and shared. Presence was one of the few tunes he lent his voice to. People of faith heard the song and read the lyrics and were drawn to the band and Clapton specifically.

One such story speaks of two acknowledged Christians who “came to Clapton’s dressing room after a show during the Blind Faith tour (1969) and asked Eric to pray with him. As they knelt. Clapton saw a ‘blinding light’ and sensed God’s presence. His testimony was open and honest: he told “everyone” he was a “born again Christian”. But the nature of his faith was tinged with a kind of superstition that would remain suspect in light of any systematic theology.**

Clapton faced many demons in his life, among them heroin, alcohol and women. It’s tough to be a believer when you’re on a binge! You’re not seeking spiritual salvation when you’re searching for your next high and you’re certainly not someone that others should be inspired by. Clapton was on the roller coaster of life for twenty years when he hit rock bottom in 1987. In his biography*, he relates what happened when he was in a rehab unit. “I was in complete despair” Clapton wrote. “In the privacy of my room, I begged for help. I had no notion who I thought I was talking to, I just knew that I had come to the end of my tether…and, getting down on my knees, I surrendered. Within a few days I realized that…I had found a place to turn to…a place I’d always known was there but never really wanted, or needed, to believe in. From that day to this, I have never failed to pray in the morning, on my knees, asking for help, and at night, to express gratitude for my life and, most of all, for my sobriety. I choose to kneel because I feel I need to humble myself when I pray, and with my ego, this is the most I can do. If you’re asking why I do this, I will tell you…because it works, as simple as that”.

Spirituality in one’s life is a personal matter and can take many forms. Some embrace a traditional religion or a non-denominational faith; others seek a more mystical master. This blog was written to shed light on the unspoken life of an artist that I and legions of fans admire greatly. Learning about Clapton’s spiritual side will hopefully leave you with a better appreciation of the man and his body of work .

*”Clapton ,The Autobiography” 2007

**Christianity Today,”Eric Clapton, In the Presence of the Lord, April 9, 2008 (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/aprilweb-only/115=32.0.html)