Eric Clapton

While always shining in a group format(John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers,Cream,Derek & The Dominos) his solo work is sporadic.I would only choose to see him "live" in an all blues format.Undoubtedly the most overrated guitarist ever.This guy could take a crap in a picture frame and someone from Beverly Hills would bid 1.2 million on it just because it was Eric Claptons crap.

I never thought I liked Eric Clapton because I always equated him to "Layla", or "Tears in Heaven", which I find annoying. But he's always coming up on my Pandora now and each time I ask myself, who is singing this song that I like? And it turns out to be Eric Clapton. Some examples: I Can't Stand It, It's in the Way You Use It, See What Love Can Do.

Overrated! As usual... Maybe on top 40-50, not fourth

Eric Clapton is a much recoginized music legend, although he does not stand out as much as Blue's legend's like BB King and numerous other's.

He is one of the greatest blues rock guitarists in the world. Blues right from the beginning to the end. No other musician can play with the feel that Clapton has. Page might come close.

Anyone who gives Clapton less than five stars must not have their head screwed on right...the man was arguably the second-most influential musician in rock after the Beatles. First of all, Clapton was the very first of the "modern" rock guitarists. In the years BC (Before Clapton), most (if not all) rock guitar leads were clean and based on either Chuck Berry or rockabilly stuff; Clapton's lead was basically a souped-up B. B. King style with lots of distortion and sustain. With the Yardbirds, he was just beginning to create the sound that would define rock guitar. That sound came full flower with his joining John Mayall; on the wonderful "Beano" album, for the very first time, we hear a Les Paul through a Marshall amp, both cranked up all the way. Here's a track from the early 1966 album "Beano" with John Mayall: This was what set the standard for rock guitar ever since, the tone, the style. This lead would not sound out of place in a blues song even today. Here is a little jam C... Read more

So I don't know, he's alright. I liked Cream's "White Room" and a few other songs.

He's a better guitarist then Hendrix!

He is a number 5. The best

I just simply love Eric Clapton.

One of R&R's very best guitarists and soulful vocalists ever...

When you hear virtually any guitarist in rock over the past 40 years or so, you have heard a particular tone. It is big, it is round, it is somewhat distorted and it sings. For all intents and purposes, Eric Clapton invented this sound when playing with The Yardbirds (listen to "I Ain't Got You). Chuck Berry hinted at it with the opening bars and solo in "Maybelline," Clapton made it part of the vocabulary. He also brought together stylistic elements from guitarists most white fans had never heard of in the mid 60s. I'm talking about the Kings (BB, Albert and Freddy), Otis Rush, Hubert Sumlin, to name but a few. You may not like some of the directions his music has taken. I, for instance, can't listen to "Lay Down Sally" or "Wonderful Tonight" without cringing. But you have to give the guy credit for trying lots of different avenues of expression. Want a crash course in blues rock guitar? Listen to "Crossroads" from Cream's "Wheels of Fire" album. Nuf sed.

old school blues rock--a true survivor

You don't hear too much about Clapton anymore. However, That doesn't mean his music isn't good any longer. This guy is also one of the best to ever pick up a six string.

Just the greatest guitarist

Runs the scale from good to great.  A real Master of the strings.

I don't think anyone can argue that he is one of the greatest of all time. Everyone who plays looks at him as the master.

Still God!

he may be considered as one of the best guitarists of all time but he really gets on my nerves sometimes,although he is good so...

Rips others off?  Are we reaching with this statement? In fact...how many have borrowed from the pages of Eric Clapton?  Along with Jimi...simply one of the best.  Go to You Tube and watch Tales of Brave Ulysses ...this is where the whole Metal thing starts.

I love his soothing music and he plays the guitar in a heaven like manner.

very good blues guitarist

Clapton will ALWAYS be THE legend on guitar

Before he even knew what he was doing, he was one of the fastest guitarists ever. His love of the blues has always touched my heart. His work with John Mayall and the Yardbirds inspired me. I'm not one to idolize any man, but this would be close.

He's quite an accomplished technician, but the vocals on his 'tribute' to Robert Johnson reveal him to be the Pat Boone of the blues.http://tinyurl.com/58kvuw

One of the greatest guitarist of all time hands down. And know for you moronic EVH fans that call him a non talented hack that just put him down to boost your precious Eddy up. Maybe you should listen more closley to him cause he is a crap load better then that sh*thead Eddy in fact their no even close in top 100. And for you that call him a hack that copys everyone else well who the frig has'nt copyed from another artist. If you can find one artist that has'nt copied someones style or song ill give you a freakin medal.

Has always had the good sense to make music instead of "art" and only on rare occassions has he ever produced anything that could be deemed a flashy display of technique for its own sake.  That doesn't make him the greatest guitarist in the world but it makes him a far better musician than boring players John Petrucci or Joe Satriani or Yngwie Malmsteen.

A great technician who could put it all together and make blues a viable artform today.

way over rated. but he sold a ton of records

Clapton is God. Nuff said.

I can understand why many say he is overated and not worthy of being up there with the elite due to the fact that he remade alot of songs (which i think he did better), copied other licks (which guitarist hasnt taken from those before them?), but the fact remains that he has had one of the most distinguished careers of any performer who has ever strapped on a guitar. I think the best way to rate a guitarist is to see what his peers and fellow players alike have said about them, and 9 times out of 10 you'll find the greats saying eric is, has and always will be up there with the best of the best. Although i prefer the music of SRV, i had the privelage of watching Eric perform last year with Derek Trucks and Doyle Bramhall ll, and he was great but what impressed me most was how he gave the young guys an equal amount of time to show what they had, so while he was giving the fans what they wanted, he was also showing the future players as well, and that's a sign of humility and class. Clap... Read more

Another one who needs no introduction

another good songwriter and performer

great guitarist, not much to say

Love, love, love Clapton. Can listen all day, every day, never gets old

youngman with granpa's guitar

cocaine

Amazing guitarist

he great

lately just boring...

His guitar work rates a 5.0 and someone who can produce two completely dissimilar classics (Layla and Badge) rates a 5.0

41/2 stars. His lyrics makes him 5. I think 70' rock, great never the less, but '70s!

he pretty cool

Slow Hand is third in my book

Do I have to say anything really

never cared for him except for a few songs, has a rotten personality if you read his book and take into his prior racist comments he has made

For my money, Claptons still the best!

I don't understand how people ar saying he isn't one of the greates guitarists? technical ability aint everything. He had the chopsand played some amazing guitar in the 60s with cream. The only reason I can't give him a five is because his songwriting always lacked a little for me, other than the great Derek and The Dominos albums.. Layla and other Assorted Love songs

The Clapton is God thing was before Hendrix arrived in Britain, after which even he admitted he couldnt compete. After that I dont think anyone truly rated him in the same league as JH, or Jeff Beck for that matter. He's a decent enough bluesman but not in the same league as SRV.

He is certainly skilled, but he is definitely highly overrated and not even in the same league as the likes of Satriani.