If you should spot Eric Clapton in the next few hours, be sure to throw some streamers at him and find out what flavor ice cream cake he prefers, because the legendary guitarist turns 65 years old today.

Eric laid out an unbelievable career for himself, contributing to some of the most iconic rock bands and songs of all time.

In the '60s, he moved around from band to band, serving time in the Yardbirds (a haven for iconic guitarists who later gave work to both Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck), John Mayall's Bluesbreakers (where Clapton had his first real chart success), Cream (a retroactive supergroup that featured fellow Bluesbreaker Jack Bruce and legendary drummer Ginger Baker) and Blind Faith (another supergroup that also featured Traffic guitarist Steve Winwood). The list of songs that feature Clapton on guitar reads like a greatest hits of the '60s, including "Sunshine of Your Love," "White Room," "Crossroads," "Born Under a Bad Sign," "What'd I Say" and "For Your Love."

In the 1970s, Clapton formed Derek and the Dominos (who hit it big with "Layla") before finally setting off on his own. He scored a chart-topping hit with a cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" and later hit it big with tracks like "Wonderful Tonight" and "Cocaine."

Along with Jimi Hendrix (a close friend) and only a handful of others, Clapton is on the Mount Rushmore of rock guitarists, and his influence can be heard in everybody who has ever tried to rock up a blues lick. A case could be made that he accidentally invented heavy metal, though one of his most iconic performances was during a taping of "MTV Unplugged" back in 1992. The album scored him six Grammy Awards (mostly for the song "Tears in Heaven," a tribute to his late son Conor) and showed Clapton as the blues purist that he was. He blended together his own classics with blues greats like Bo Diddley's "Before You Accuse Me."

Happy Birthday EC!

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

He was doing a interview on XM deep tracks this mourning great insight about Jimi

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BSG

Wish I had heard that!

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Hi Mike hope all is well and good in your life

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BSG

Happy birthday EC..you really arn't 65 are you..my God we're getting old.

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08 Fender Highway One Tele-Sunburst
09 Squier Custom Tele II-Blonde
04 Squier Standard Strat Antiqueburst
07 Washburn D10SCE natural with Rosewood backing
Fender Mustang II amp


Experience is the best teacher

my buddy was in Rainbow Guitars a couple of days ago and a young player was in there ripping it up on a line 6 spyder , when ask if he wanted to try a marshall he said no thats an old guy amp. yes we are getting old.

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BSG

Born on the passover... Happy Birthday Eric!

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

thanks Mike

Happy Birthday Eric!

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Happy Birthday!

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Happy Birthday E.C.!

I only recently finished reading his autobiography. It's well worth a read if you haven't already read it.

Happy Birthday to an amazing musician who keeps us linked to some greats of the past. I hope there are many more birthdays to follow for EC.

An incredible talent that has probably influenced all of us in some way. He sure lit a fire under me in the late 60's................... Mike

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

Agreed and me too Mike!!

I have been a fan since I was 7 or 8 year old, listning to the Yardbirds, Cream Etc.

Check out this youtube of Layla... Over six million views!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX5USg8_1gA

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

With you all the way Mike, and instead of a Happy Birthday I rather hit him with a "I am not worthy".lol