At first the music almost repelled me, it was so intense, and this man made no attempt to sugarcoat what he was trying to say, or play. It was hard-core, more than anything I had ever heard. After a few listenings I realized that, on some level, I had found the master, and that following this man's example would be my life's work.

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In 1988 Fender honoured Clapton with the introduction of his signature Eric Clapton Stratocaster. At the time owner Noll Uloth was trying to save the shop from closure and thought 'I will go and talk to my best client". In 2006 he invited Derek Trucks and Doyle Bramhall II to join his band for his 2006–2007 world tour.

He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist and separately as a member of The Yardbirds and Cream. Two of his most popular recordings were "Layla" recorded by Derek and the Dominos another band he formed and Robert Johnson's "Crossroads" recorded by Cream. J.