What was Eric Clapton's nickname in the 1960s?

Eric Clapton’s nickname in the 1960s was “Slowhand.” The name was coined by Giorgio Gomelsky, who managed the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond, London, where Clapton performed with the Yardbirds.

The nickname referred to the slow handclapping English audiences used when Clapton stopped during a performance to replace a broken guitar string. It was a playful pun on “slow handclap,” not a comment that Clapton played slowly. In fact, his blues guitar style could be remarkably fast and technically demanding.

Clapton’s reputation grew rapidly during the decade. He played with the Yardbirds until 1965, then joined John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, helping establish himself as one of Britain’s leading blues guitarists. Fans later associated him with the graffiti slogan “Clapton is God.”

A common mix-up is confusing “Slowhand” with the 1977 album of the same name. The album took its title from Clapton’s established nickname, which had originated more than a decade earlier.