Crossroads: The Life and Music of Eric Clapton

by Michael Schumacher

In this first, full-scale, serious look at history-making musician Eric Clapton, Schumacher goes behind the headlines to reveal the depth of Clapton's pain and the roots of his musical power. Includes a complete discography and many previously unseen photos.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction

400 pages, Paperback

First published April 21, 1995

About the author

A lifelong resident of the Great Lakes region, Michael Schumacher is the author of twelve books, including biographies of Allen Ginsberg, Phil Ochs, and Eric Clapton, and the award-winning book Wreck of the Carl D. He has also written twenty-five documentaries on Great Lakes shipwrecks and lighthouses.

Reviews

[David H. Schurr]

All about Eric with a lot more.

I have read a few books about the guitar God but this one covered a lot of stories I have not heard. I am an Eric Clapton fan big time. He was one of my main reasons for picking up and learning guitar. You will not be disappointed with this read. Warning...some pretty bad editing. Many misspellings you have to be prepared for. Enjoy!

[Grant Barratt]

Comprehensive, intriguing and insightful read about one of the greatest axemen music has ever seen. Schumacher's prose is wonderfully easy to digest and keeps the pages turning at a lightning pace. Highly recommended if you're a Clapton fan.

[Lachlan]

This is my second reading of this book. I'd forgotten much of the detail about his life, but having read through it again, I can see why. The book starts well with a great background to Clapton's life and progresses well through his formative years. However, as one other reviewer mentioned, it gets monotonous when you reach the middle parts as it seems he follows a cycle of seclusion, drugs, recording, live performances, then repeats over and over.

I'm a huge Clapton fan and he inspired much of my early guitar playing, however, this is one title I felt dragged from the middle on. It's almost as if the author got as bored with writing it as we did reading it. Worth a quick read, but borrow it from the library or a friend.

[Chelsea Rose]

I'm reading this right now. So far it's great! The author really analyzes Eric's personality, which is the hallmark of a great biography! I love Eric Clapton, so this book is a must-read for anyone wanting to know more about him and his music!

[Jessica]

An informative and unbiased biography chronicling Clapton's career. This book acts as a history lesson for all current and aspiring blues and 60/70s rock fans.

[Peter]

I couldn't finish this book. There's only so much of Eric Clapton that most of us can take and I read just enough to understand why.

[Jack Apfel]

I'm a sucker for rock 'n' roll biographies and this one is pretty good. Fascinating to see the man behind the music i listened to absessively as a teen.

[Louis Russell]

An excellent and honest account of one of the greatest guitarists to ever live.