Eric Patrick Clapton professionally known as Eric Clapton is one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time. Although Clapton’s nickname is “Slowband,” he plays very fast. His manager started calling him while they were on tour back in the 1960s. He is famous for breaking strings because of his ridiculous bends. With this, he needs to go backstage to change strings and the audience would start a slow hand clap until he returned.
Clapton performs as a solo artist and also joined bands. He has been a member of the Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, and The Dominos. In addition, he became the first person who has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times. One as a solo artist and as a member of Cream and The Yardbirds. Clapton’s musical career went successfully and one of his remarkable hits was the song “I Shot the Sheriff.”
Eric Clapton’s “I Shot the Sheriff”
“I Shot the Sheriff” is originally written and popularized by Bob Marley. Clapton first heard the song when a member of his band played it and convinced to make their own version of the song. At first, Clapton did not want to use it on their album because he thinks it might seem disrespectful for Marley. His members and managers convinced him that it should not only be included on the album but also be released as a single.
Clapton shared on his Autobiography that he spoke with Marley and asked him about the song. Unfortunately, Eric could not understand his reply, but when their version came out, he had been proud of themselves and Marley liked the song they had done.
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Clapton kept the underlying reggae beat from Marley’s original and made it more stunning. He made it more of a rock song with prominent organ and guitar. Well, listeners really loved the reggae sounds. So upon its release, Clapton’s version peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became the most notable version of the song. In 2003, Clapton’s version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Listen to Eric Clapton’s version of “I Shot the Sheriff” below:
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