Eric Clapton Eric Clapton is an innovative guitarist, basically the first to combine blues and rock, which in turn popularized blues. Because of his skill and ever- evolving style, his music is a lasting contribution in itself. Eric Clapton made his recording debut with The Yardbirds, the British group that also featured guitar virtuosos Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck. Together, they created a whole new blues/rock sound that many of the famous ‘60s and ‘70s bands copied. Clapton left The Yardbirds when he felt the band strayed too far from their blues roots towards pop music. E.C. then joined British keyboardist, harmonica player