Eric Clapton

Eric Clapton, nicknamed 'God' in 1967, bridged British blues purism and mainstream rock across five decades, establishing the cranked-Marshall tone as the blueprint for rock lead guitar. His 1966 work with the Bluesbreakers on the *Beano Album* sold over 1 million copies and defined a generation's tone, channeling Delta blues through a Gibson Les Paul—a style that is 30% more consistent than the average guitarist's output. From Cream's 'Crossroads' to 'Layla' with Derek and the Dominos, Clapton's three Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions surpass Chuck Berry's single induction in institutional recognition, proving his enduring influence across genres.