Eric Patrick Clapton was born on March 30th 1945 and became a famous blues rocker. He played in many bands before he started his solo career in the 1970. He played in the Yardbirds, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominos. He came befriended with George Harrison and as a very good friend he even stole George's wife Pattie Boyd. Eric married her in 1977.
Eric and Pattie married in 1977
His first solo success came with the second solo album "461 Ocean Boulevard" (1974) including the Bob Marley song "I Shot the Sheriff" which gave him his first solo hit. After the disappointing albums "There's One in Every Crowd" and "E. C. Was Here" he realised he needed to switch back to the commercial sound he introduced on "461 Ocean Boulevard".
Lay Down Sally - single
He succeeded in doing this with the album "Slowhand" released in 1977 which already was his nickname as a guitarist. He hired Glyn Johns as a producer who already produced for the Rolling Stones and The Eagles. This time he covered the JJ Cale's song "Cocaine". On his debut album he covered JJ Cale before with "After Midnight". He also covered "May You Never" from John Martyn.
From "Slowhand" also came the hit singles "Lay Down Sally" and "Wonderful Tonight".
Wonderful Tonight - single
The album reached #2 in the US, #17 in the Netherlands and #23 in the UK. The single "Lay Down Sally" reached #3 in the UK. "Wonderful Tonight" reached #16 in the UK and #2 in the Netherlands.

The artwork for the album was made by "El & Nell Ink". Which are Eric himself, Pattie Boyd (his new wife) and Dave Stewart. They made a choice out of many pictures including a picture where Eric kisses Pattie and a demolished Ferrari from a car crash Eric nearly survived. Important pictures out of his life. But the final result was a picture of him as guitarist.
Original album cover
Slowhand
Cocaine / Wonderful Tonight / Lay Down Sally / Next Time You See Her / We're All the Way / The Core / May You Never / Mean Old Frisco / Peaches and Diesel

Next Time I See Her

Lay Down Sally
May You Never