Who is Eric Clapton?
Eric Clapton is an English Rock and blues guitarist, songwriter and singer. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – once as a solo artist and twice while being a member of the bands “the Yardbirds” and “cream”.
Clapton has also been referred to as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time, ranking second in the “Rolling Stone” magazine’s most important and influential guitarists of all time. He has also sold over 130 million records worldwide, and won 18 Grammy awards throughout his musical career.
The Story Behind 'Tears In Heaven Song
"Tears in Heaven" is a song from the soundtrack of the 1991 film Rush. The song was written by Eric Clapton and Will Jennings.
Eric Clapton wrote this song after a rather long absence from songwriting
and performing. During this time he mourned his 4-year-old son, Conor, who
tragically died after accidentally falling from a 53rd-floor apartment on
March 20, 1991.
On March 19, 1992, Eric Clapton took Conor to the circus. It turned out to be
one of the most special days they'd ever spend together as father and son.
The next morning, as Clapton was due to arrive to pick up Conor for another
day out, this time to the Bnonx Zoo and lunch at an Italian restaurant , Conor
was running around the 53rd apartment in the new York high-raise building.
A janitor had been working on the windows in the living room but one was still
open. He called out to the Nanny to watch the child, but before she could
react, Conor dashed past her, jumped up on to the low window-ledge where he'd
normally press his nose against the glass. He fell out of an open window from
the 53rd floor.
They said the window, about 6 feet high and 4 feet wide, was left open after
it was cleaned by a housekeeper.
The devastating news made headlines around the world and threw Eric into a
tailspin.
"I remember looking at his beautiful face in repose and thinking, 'This
isn't my son. It looks a bit like him, but he's gone. " Clapton said.
However unkown to most people is that after Eric Claption attended Conor's
Funeral in 1991, he quietly received a letter that would leave him
speenchless.
Conor wrote him a letter telling him how much he loved and missed him whenever
he was away.
When Clapton was Finally able to pick up a guitar again, he started arranging
chords with the vison of his golden-haired son in his head.
Before he knew it, he had written 'Tears in Heaven' as a tribute to his son,
which would go on to be one of the biggest hits of the 90's and of his career.
After the incident, he also began raising awareness for childproofing windows
and staircases.
In 2004, Clapton no longer plays "Tears in Heaven" live, having stated that he
has moved past the emotional distress that inspired the song.
Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same if I saw you in heaven?
I must be strong and carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven
Would you hold my hand if I saw you in heaven?
Would you help me stand if I saw you in heaven?
I'll find my way through night and day
'Cause I know I just can't stay
Here in heaven
What can you say about this sad story behind this song of Eric Clapton?