THE FAST LIFE OF SLOWHAND

Ahead of Eric Clapton's 80th birthday tomorrow, how rock music's greatest living guitarist survived drug addiction, alcoholism and family tragedy... before eventually finding happiness.

- By Christopher Sandford Eric Clapton's biographer

ERIC CLAPTON is nothing if not a survivor. As he turns 80 tomorrow with a major series of concerts in Japan, Europe and the UK in the off-ing "Slowhand", as the world's most famous guitarist is known, shows no sign of slowing down. He claims to find touring "unbearable", referring perhaps to the business of trekking between anonymous hotels and stadia, rather than the actual playing live in front of tens of thousands of fans.

Either way, like Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart before him, Clapton has now joined the ranks of the 80-club a remarkable landmark in itself in an industry that worships the young and, with rare exceptions, brutally jettisons middle-aged performers.

As his biographer, I pay tribute to Clapton's sheer endurance.

He's survived for more than 60 years and can still play a mean guitar.

This is a man who has always been willing to move away from mere rock to embrace blues, country and even folk influences.

He began his career with bubblegum pop in long-forgotten bands working on the London pub circuit, but soon went on to form the power trio Cream, alongside the late Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce.

The group's trademark mix of blues and hard rock was a trailblazer for a new wave of bands like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple.

After that, Clapton left to form a new group, Derek and the Dominos, who will always be remembered for the firework display of searing guitar and soulful piano of their iconic, evergreen hit Layla.

Despite being sometimes erratic and even self-destructive, Clapton has always kept the respect of his fans for his virtuoso and inventive guitar playing.

Over the years, his work has been recognised with album sales exceeding 100 million, as well as no fewer than 18 Grammy awards, four Ivor Novellos and three separate inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

No other living guitar player comes close to these achievements.