CStewartNon-Fiction

CaitlynStewart Caitlyn Stewart Laurencot Non-Fiction Essay

In the biography, __Clapton//!,//__ by Ray Coleman, you discover the true hardships that godly guitarist, Eric Clapton, went through to become who is today. It is clear through the author’s words that determination and support were key to the success of the musician’s early life of fame.

Society was represented in the book __Clapton!,__ because it described the music scene of his era, and how it evolved with the generations changing. “Obviously, I’m playing for different generations now: people were coming backstage to most of the concerts saying there were so many kids out there, age fifteen and sixteen and they couldn’t understand it.” (pg311) This quote, said by Eric, shows that society had changed through the generations, and the new crowds did not understand his music because they grew up on different styles of music. Another aspect of society shown in this biography would be the drug scene Clapton was surrounded by. He was sucked in by a long fought battle with his heroin addiction; a major part of his life that dramatically controlled how he turned out to be. Addictions make people greedy and selfish, hurting the people they love especially. “Really, taking heroin never became my life. It was a very heavy habit, but it was a case of: ‘Well, I’m a musician, and this is what musicians do’. It took over and it was an illusion for me to think I could get away with it. But I did.” (pg 138) From this, it’s easy to say the drug culture of the 70’s, and the relation of drugs to music had an impact on Eric. He believed that to fit the part of a musician, you had to take drugs. Society had made him feel that this is what people do. Generations changing and drug use were all a big part in __Clapton!__ and the society drawn out.

History in __Clapton!__ was strongly influenced by Eric’s childhood. The events in his past affected the career path and life choices he made. “His lack of identity explained his decision to pour himself into music.” (pg 47) This quote can be interpreted that a past incident is the cause of where he ended up. Eric Clapton was an illegitimate child, and this ‘lack of identity’ made him feel as if he were no one. Picking up the guitar made him feel complete and as if he could actually //be// somebody, something big. Past decisions, such as leaving a band to join another band, hugely had an impact on the path he paved. “But his inability to grapple with handling people has been one of his regrets.” (pg 300) This quote points to the conclusion that he could not stay with one band long enough because he wasn’t the type to compromise or work well with a group of people. Eric had been in a countless number of countless bands, some lasting years, and others only a few months. Eric had done solo work, which worked out better for him because it was simply himself and the guitar; no one to argue with. History is to blame, or commend for the outcome of Eric Clapton’s life of triumphs and tribulations.

Heroin addictions and the generations changing can affect society, and that goes for famous people as well. Clapton was worshipped and looked up to, most definitely influencing the population who listened to his music. Childhood incidents and the long list of bands Eric worked with inclined to his outcome and direction, steering him to become his own individual. Everything society and history contains shapes the being of a person, and __Clapton!__ is proof of this.