One of the world’s most influential musicians, Eric Clapton, has lived an extraordinary life. This makes sense, given that he had a defining impact on the proliferation of rock music and, by virtue of this, that of popular culture itself. It says all about the nature of his status that Clapton has played in The Bluesbreakers, The Yardbirds, and Cream.
For all of his musical merit, Clapton’s a divisive figure and has been no stranger to controversy. The majority of this centres around his drunken racist outburst in Birmingham in 1976, something which should never be forgotten and that undoubtedly changes the complexion of his standing. Furthermore, his recent anti-vax sentiments have also been enough for long-term fans never to go back.
Yet, it isn’t just political messes that Eric Clapton has found himself in. He’s also well-acquainted with the pitfalls of romance. The most notable instance of this was his protracted love for his best friend, George Harrison’s wife, Pattie Boyd, who, after a load of emotional turmoil, would eventually end up marrying.
Although Clapton and Boyd were married from 1979 to 1989, in a strange and rather unfortunate turn of events, just like his old friend George Harrison, the former Cream guitarist would also have an extra-marital affair towards the end of he and Boyd’s time together.
Being the great romantic he is, Clapton wrote a song about the tryst, cementing it into his extensive lore. The song is ‘Lady Of Verona’, taken from 1993’s bootleg Further On Up The Crossroads 1964-1990. The woman in question is the Italian actor, Lory Del Santo, whom Clapton met in 1985 when on tour in Italy. Together, they had one son, Conor, who tragically died aged four when he fell from a window. He is the subject of the timeless ballad ‘Tears in Heaven’.
It is reported that after the tour concluded, Clapton attempted to reconcile with Boyd but ended up moving in with Del Santo instead. Then, only weeks later, he had a change of heart and tried to go back to his inconsolable wife. However, when he told Del Santo of his intentions, she told him the news that she was pregnant.
Clapton left, but Boyd refused to have him back. As he claims in his memoir Clapton: The Autobiography, he was so broken that he even attempted suicide by taking an entire bottle of Valium, but all it did was make him have a great sleep.
Clapton even started drinking again, but miraculously, he still made a celebrated album, August, which came out in late 1986. ‘Lady of Verona’ was recorded for the album, but in an unlikely moment of empathy for his soon-to-be ex-wife, Clapton didn’t include it. It wouldn’t see the light of day until the Further On Up The Crossroads 1964-1990.
Listen to ‘Lady of Verona’ below.
