Eric Clapton

At one point, Eric Clapton’s fans referred to the famed guitarist as “God,” boasting that he had never played a wrong note in his life. These days, he seems a lot more fallible. Never a powerhouse songwriter—he gets partial credit for “Sunshine Of Your Love,” “Layla,” and “Tears In Heaven,” but owes Jack Bruce, Bob Marley, and J.J. Cale a fat royalty check every time he performs “White Room,” “I Shot The Sheriff,” and “After Midnight”—ol’ Slowhand appears to be going through a creative trough at the moment. His last studio album, 2005’s Back Home, was a snooze-fest, pure and simple. Having said that, however, Clapton remains one of the finest guitar players that has ever lived and—bar none—the greatest sideman in rock ’n’ roll history. And whether he’s running through his glory days with Cream, Blind Faith, and Derek & The Dominos, or just tossing out some blues-lite milquetoast, he never shines brighter than on the stage—which is where Clapton’s true Home will always be.

Updated 11/11/2009