About the Author

Chris Welch was there during much of Clapton's career, reporting for Britain's Melody Maker magazine starting in 1964. He lives in Kent, England.

Reviews

Internet Review of Books
"Chris Welch's book does Clapton justice. The book includes 400 photographs and eleven chapters that follow Clapton from his youth through the present day, including his work with the groups Cream, Yardbirds, and Derek and the Dominoes. For those youngsters who only recognize Clapton from his bearded, eye-glass-wearing "Tears of Heaven" days, the pictures of young Eric will be evidence of his decades of influence."

Library Journal
"Welch, a reporter/editor for the British music paper Melody Maker during the 1960s and 1970s, delivers an oversized, lavishly illustrated biography of guitar icon Eric Clapton. He devotes much of the text to and shares the most insights on Clapton's career pre-1974: his humble beginnings and stints with John Mayall, the Yardbirds, Cream, and Blind Faith. Welch rushes through the remainder of the guitarist's more pop-oriented career up to the present. Throughout, he collects 400 color photos of posters, album covers, and concert scenes of Clapton and his bands. Verdict: A good companion to Clapton's best-selling 2007 autobiography (Clapton: The Autobiography), this book taps Welch's firsthand knowledge of his subject and adds new material via interviews with Clapton's early bandmates. Appealing for music fans, but not essential."

Library Journalÿÿÿ
"Welch, a reporter/editor for the British music paper Melody Maker during the 1960s and 1970s, delivers an oversized, lavishly illustrated biography of guitar icon Eric Clapton. He devotes much of the text to and shares the most insights on Clapton's career pre-1974: his humble beginnings and stints with John Mayall, the Yardbirds, Cream, and Blind Faith. Welch rushes through the remainder of the guitarist's more pop-oriented career up to the present. Throughout, he collects 400 color photos of posters, album covers, and concert scenes of Clapton and his bands. Verdict: A good companion to Clapton's best-selling 2007 autobiography (Clapton: The Autobiography), this book taps Welch's firsthand knowledge of his subject and adds new material via interviews with Clapton's early bandmates. Appealing for music fans, but not essential."Internet Review of Books
"Chris Welch's book does Clapton justice. The book includes 400 photographs and eleven chapters that follow Clapton from his youth through the present day, including his work with the groups Cream, Yardbirds, and Derek and the Dominoes. For those youngsters who only recognize Clapton from his bearded, eye-glass-wearing "Tears of Heaven" days, the pictures of young Eric will be evidence of his decades of influence."Welch, a reporter/editor for the British music paperÿMelody Makerÿduring the 1960s and 1970s, delivers an oversized, lavishly illustrated biography of guitar icon Eric Clapton. He devotes much of the text to and shares the most insights on Clapton's career pre-1974: his humble beginnings and stints with John Mayall, the Yardbirds, Cream, and Blind Faith. Welch rushes through the remainder of the guitarist's more pop-oriented career up to the present. Throughout, he collects 400 color photos of posters, album covers, and concert scenes of Clapton and his bands.ÿ
Verdict: A good companion to Clapton's best-selling 2007 autobiography (Clapton: The Autobiography), this book taps Welch's firsthand knowledge of his subject and adds new material via interviews with Clapton's early bandmates. Appealing for music fans, but not essential. - Library Journal Xpress ReviewLibrary Journal Xpress Review
Welch, a reporter/editor for the British music paperÿMelody Makerÿduring the 1960s and 1970s, delivers an oversized, lavishly illustrated biography of guitar icon Eric Clapton. He devotes much of the text to and shares the most insights on Clapton's career pre-1974: his humble beginnings and stints with John Mayall, the Yardbirds, Cream, and Blind Faith. Welch rushes through the remainder of the guitarist's more pop-oriented career up to the present. Throughout, he collects 400 color photos of posters, album covers, and concert scenes of Clapton and his bands. Verdict: A good companion to Clapton's best-selling 2007 autobiography (Clapton: The Autobiography), this book taps Welch's firsthand knowledge of his subject and adds new material via interviews with Clapton's early bandmates. Appealing for music fans, but not essential.-Dave Szatmary, Univ. of Washington, Seattle"Sometimes you actually can tell a book by its cover, contrary to the old saying that says you can't. Between the covers the book proves to be as classy and well done as its first impression" - GuitarInternational.com

Welch, a reporter/editor for the British music paper Melody Maker during the 1960s and 1970s, delivers an oversized, lavishly illustrated biography of guitar icon Eric Clapton. He devotes much of the text to and shares the most insights on Clapton's career pre-1974: his humble beginnings and stints with John Mayall, the Yardbirds, Cream, and Blind Faith. Welch rushes through the remainder of the guitarist's more pop-oriented career up to the present. Throughout, he collects 400 color photos of posters, album covers, and concert scenes of Clapton and his bands.
Verdict: A good companion to Clapton's best-selling 2007 autobiography (Clapton: The Autobiography), this book taps Welch's firsthand knowledge of his subject and adds new material via interviews with Clapton's early bandmates. Appealing for music fans, but not essential. -- Library Journal Xpress Review