First, does this thread even belong here? Eric talks mostly about his life, but also about the Beatles, particularly George-- which is why I'm reading this book.
Anyway, my thoughts so far. I'm almost done...
I found Eric Clapton's autobiography, simply entitled
Clapton, a very enjoyable read. Eric spends quite a bit of time discussing his philosophy of music and how much it has meant to him, and acknowledging the many friends that he has made and lost in his tumultuous career.
His sobriety, won with such difficulty, occupies a good deal of space in the book. It's funny; reading this book, I feel as if Pattie and Eric's individual therapists told them, "You really ought to write a book. That will help you process everything." Because both books, even though they include happy (and sad) reminisces, do tend to focus on the subject of healing.
However, we must acknowledge that the real reason a person like me is reading Eric Clapton's autobiography is to find out what he says about George and the Beatles. Eric discusses his early career with barely a mention of the Beatles, except to note his disgust at the time with pop as am impure music form. (He then takes shots at his own pomposity.) He does mention how he was getting close to the Rolling Stones, particularly Mick, when this famous incident took place:
"One night the Beatles came in to see the Stones. They'd just released "Please Please Me", which was a huge hit. As they walked up and stood right in front of the stage, all of them wearing a long black leather overcoats and identical haircuts. Even then they had tremendous presence and charisma, but to me the weirdest thing was that they appeared to be wearing their stage outfits, and for some reason that bothered me. But they seemed friendly enough, and there was obviously a mutual admiration thing going on between them and the Stones, so I suppose it was only natural that I would be jealous and think of them as a bunch of wankers."
About falling in love with Pattie:
"I think initially I was motivated by a mixture of lust and envy, but it all changed once I got to know her. I first set eyes on Pattie backstage at the Saville Theatre in London after a Cream concert, and had thought then that she was unusually beautiful. This impression was strengthened by spending time with her. I remember thinking that her beauty was also internal. It wasn't just the way she looked, although she was definitely the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. It was deeper. It came from within her, too. It was just the way she was, and that captivated me. I had never met a woman who was so complete, and I was overwhelmed. I realized that I would have to stop seeing her and George, or give into my emotions and tell her how I felt.
I also coveted Pattie because she belonged to a powerful man who seemed to have everything I wanted -- amazing cars, an incredible career, and a beautiful wife. This emotion was not new to me. I remember that when my mum came home with her new family, I wanted my half brother's toys because they seemed more expensive and better than mine. It was a feeling that had never gone away, and was definitely part of the way I felt toward Pattie. But for the time being I kept these emotions strictly under lock and key, and buried myself in trying to sort out what I was going to do next musically."
Overall, Eric's book strikes me as very honest, although it does have those tactful omissions. For me this only makes it more readable. Anyway, I'm enjoying the read, and would be happy to provide any additional quotes in this community if asked. Cheers!