Eric Clapton

Year:
2000
Inducted by:
Robbie Robertson (The Band)
Category:
Performers

Introduction

Three inductions, three words: "Clapton is God."

Eric Clapton is a consistent hitmaker and one of the greatest guitarists of all time—perhaps that's why he is the only person to be inducted into the Rock Hall three times. His diverse influences ranged from reggae to the blues and established him as a versatile and resilient artist whose relevance never fades.

Robbie Robertson Inducts Eric Clapton

Robbie Robertson of TheBand Inducts Eric Clapton at the 2000 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Robbie Robertson Inducts Eric Clapton

00:04:19
Eric Clapton Acceptance Speech

00:00:49
"Further On Up the Road"

00:04:42
"Tears In Heaven"

00:04:18
"Sweet Home Chicago"

00:04:02

Hall of Fame Essay

2000

Robert Mantelli

Getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is nothing new for Eric Clapton.

One of the greatest guitarists of our time, a musician whose achingly honest, often brilliant blues-laden solos continue to explore the eternal conflict between passion and pain, Clapton has been honored previously for his work with seminal blues-rock band the Yardbirds (inducted in 1992) and psychedelic-tinted supergroup Cream (inducted in 1993).

We focus our attention this time on Clapton’s sterling solo career, one that spans three decades and is still going strong. Remarkably, his induction tonight makes Clapton the only artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times.