Season 32 · Episode 2

The South Bank Show: Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton last spoke to The South Bank Show exactly twenty years ago, near the end of a long spiral of addiction and alcoholism, just before going in to rehab. Now, 20 years later – and still one of the great guitarists of our time - we pick up the story again with the 62-year-old Clapton talking exclusively to Melvyn Bragg. They discuss conquering his demons, the drugs, the drink, the death of his son, his troubled family background, the intensity of his relationships with other great guitarists and with women, and his influences and his most moving songs. Clapton speaks openly about the music - the one constant in a life of emotional turmoil - and how he has finally found peace. It would be difficult to find a rock star that has experienced more ecstatic highs or despairing lows than Eric Clapton. As one of the greatest rock musicians this country has ever produced, his career has spanned over 40 years from being the fresh faced guitarist of the Yardbirds, to the spaced out solo artist of the 70s, to the reformed, prolific performer of today. Far more than a rock star Clapton is an icon and a living legend. His guitar playing has seen him hailed as ‘God’ and his tracks such as Layla, Sunshine Of Your Love, Wonderful Tonight and Tears In Heaven have become anthems for generations of music fans. The South Bank Show is illustrated with previously unseen performance footage and rare, revealing archive. This is Clapton at his most candid ever.