Eric Clapton Photography

Long before he was a solo superstar, Eric Clapton kicked off his career in the mid ’60s as the guitar player for English rockers the Yardbirds (to be succeeded by Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page), followed by a stint with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers. In 1966, he stepped up to the microphone to front Cream, joined the supergroup Blind Faith in 1969, and even logged a concert session with John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band the same year.

The ’70s proved even more fruitful, first as leader of “Layla” hit-makers Derek and the Dominos, then on to his own landmarks “After Midnight,” “I Shot the Sheriff,” and “Wonderful Tonight.” The ’80s and ’90s continued that ascent with “Forever Man,” “Tears in Heaven,” and “Change the World,” further illustrating his abilities to evolve with the times.

Between his own body of work, plus his tenure with the Yardbirds and Cream, Clapton is the only three-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. He is also the founder of the Crossroads Centre, a substance abuse rehab center in Antigua that hosts regularly reoccurring all-star benefit concerts.