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 #4 Chuck Berry's single induction in institutional recognition, proving his enduring influence across genres.