Editing Eric Clapton (section)

== Assets and philanthropy ==

===Wealth and assets===
In 2009, ''Surrey Life Magazine'' ranked Clapton as number 17 in their list of richest [[Surrey]] residents, estimating his fortune at £120&nbsp;million in assets. This was a combination of income, property, a £9&nbsp;million [[yacht]], ''[[Va Bene (yacht)|Va Bene]]'' (previously owned by [[Bernie Ecclestone]]), his back [[music catalogue]], his touring income, and his [[holding company]] Marshbrook Ltd, which had earned him £110&nbsp;million since 1989.<ref name="Clapton's estimated wealth">{{cite web|url=http://surrey.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/surreys-richest-50-the-top-ten-2497/|title=Surrey's Richest 50; The Top Ten|last=Beresford|first=Philip|date=June 2009|work=Surrey Life Magazine|access-date=27 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130225722/http://surrey.greatbritishlife.co.uk/article/surreys-richest-50-the-top-ten-2497/|archive-date=30 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2003, he purchased a 50% share of gentleman's outfitters Cordings Piccadilly.<ref name="Clapton rescues gentlemen's shop">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3528296.stm |title=Clapton rescues gentlemen's shop |publisher=BBC |date=2 August 2004 |access-date=25 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214225813/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/3528296.stm |archive-date=14 February 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time, owner Noll Uloth was trying to save the shop from closure and contacted Clapton, his "best client"; within five minutes, Clapton replied with "I can't let this happen".<ref name="Clapton rescues gentlemen's shop"/>

===Car collection===
[[File:FerrariSP12EC.jpg|thumb|right|[[Ferrari SP12 EC]] built for Clapton under [[Ferrari]]'s Special Projects programme<ref>{{cite web|url=http://paultan.org/2012/05/29/ferrari-sp12-ec-eric-claptons-one-off-is-a-458-italia-with-styling-inspired-by-the-512-bb/|title=Ferrari SP12 EC – Eric Clapton's one-off is a 458 Italia with styling inspired by the 512 BB|last=Tan|first=Danny|date=29 May 2012|work=Paul Tan's Automotive News|publisher=Driven Communications Sdn Bhd|access-date=29 May 2012|location=Petaling Jaya, Malaysia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008080947/http://paultan.org/2012/05/29/ferrari-sp12-ec-eric-claptons-one-off-is-a-458-italia-with-styling-inspired-by-the-512-bb/|archive-date=8 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>]]
Since the 1970s, Clapton has considered himself a "car enthusiast" and has often stated his passion for the [[Ferrari]] brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisweekinmotors.com/the-many-cars-of-eric-slowhand-clapton|title=The Many Cars of Eric 'Slowhand' Clapton|publisher=This Week in Motors|access-date=20 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902014806/http://www.thisweekinmotors.com/the-many-cars-of-eric-slowhand-clapton/|archive-date=2 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Clapton owns or has owned a range of Ferraris, and when asked about his Ferrari collection in 1989, he said he liked the touring cars the company produces for road use and commented "if I had more space and if I had been wise I would have a huge collection by now and I would be a multi-multi-millionaire".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqUH4Ylfkqw| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211027/cqUH4Ylfkqw| archive-date=27 October 2021|title=Desert Island Discs 1989 – Eric Clapton & Sue Lawley| date=23 July 2016|publisher=YouTube Network|access-date=20 August 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 2010, he explained that for him "Ferrari has always been the number one car" to own and drive, and that he always supported Ferrari on the road and in [[Formula One]] motor racing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BaJF1ED3XE|title=Eric Clapton interview on Ferrari.com|publisher=YouTube Network|access-date=20 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101004120/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BaJF1ED3XE|archive-date=1 January 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2012, Ferrari honoured Clapton with the one-off special project car, the [[Ferrari SP12 EC]]. In July 2013 Clapton displayed it at the [[Goodwood Festival of Speed]] in England in the Michelin Supercar Run.<ref>[https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/goodwood-festival-speed/eric-clapton-displays-one-ferrari-sp12-ec-goodwood "Eric Clapton displays one-off Ferrari SP12 EC at Goodwood"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206135755/https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/goodwood-festival-speed/eric-clapton-displays-one-ferrari-sp12-ec-goodwood |date=6 December 2017 }}. Autocar.co.uk. Retrieved 4 December 2017</ref> In 2014, Clapton explained that Ferrari is still his favourite car brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTCKlF0Hr64|title=Eric Clapton with his wife Melia – Grid Walk with Martin Brundle F1|date=17 July 2014 |publisher=YouTube Network|access-date=20 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107060516/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTCKlF0Hr64|archive-date=7 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Among the other vehicles Clapton owns or has owned are a vintage [[Mini]] Cooper Radford that was a gift from [[George Harrison]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://equipboard.com/items/vintage-mini-cooper-radford-harrison-clapton|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820101701/http://equipboard.com/items/vintage-mini-cooper-radford-harrison-clapton|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 August 2016|title=Vintage Mini Cooper Radford Harrison/Clapton|publisher=Equipboard, Inc.|access-date=20 August 2016}} Archived from the original.</ref>

===Charitable work===
[[File:2005 Fender Stratocaster Eric Clapton Signature Model, Serial No. CN98950 (Bonhams auction 19226, lot 136) & 2005 Gibson ES-335 Crossroads Model Prototype, Serial No. Prototype 3 (lot 116).jpg|thumb|right|Auction of Clapton's guitars and amps in aid of the [[Crossroads Centre]], a substance abuse rehabilitation facility]]
In 1993, Clapton was appointed a director of [[Clouds House]], a UK treatment centre for drug and alcohol dependence, and was a member of the board until 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/director/906976436/MR-ERIC-PATRICK-CLAPTON#anchor-resigned-02116410|title=Company Check, List of Directors of UK Companies and Organizations: Eric Patrick Clapton, Director, Clouds House|work=Company Check|access-date=22 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903223202/http://companycheck.co.uk/director/906976436/MR-ERIC-PATRICK-CLAPTON#anchor-resigned-02116410|archive-date=3 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> He also served on the board of directors for The Chemical Dependency Centre from 1994 until 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://companycheck.co.uk/director/906976436/MR-ERIC-PATRICK-CLAPTON#anchor-resigned-01880505|title=Company Check, List of Directors of UK Companies and Organizations, Eric Patrick Clapton, Director, The Chemical Dependency Centre|work=Company Check|access-date=22 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903223202/http://companycheck.co.uk/director/906976436/MR-ERIC-PATRICK-CLAPTON#anchor-resigned-01880505|archive-date=3 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The two charities subsequently merged to become [[Action on Addiction]] in 2007.

In 1998, Clapton established the [[Crossroads Centre]] in Antigua to help others to overcome addiction to drugs and alcohol. He has remained active in its management oversight and fundraising to the present day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.treatmentalternatives.com/rock-n-roll-doesnt-die-after-kicking-the-habit/ |title=Treatment Alternatives for Addiction |date=27 March 2013 |access-date=30 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327154748/http://www.treatmentalternatives.com/rock-n-roll-doesnt-die-after-kicking-the-habit/ |archive-date=27 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://crossroadsantigua.org/ |title=Crossroads Centre Antigua, Official website |publisher=Crossroadsantigua.org |access-date=3 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110422215845/http://crossroadsantigua.org/ |archive-date=22 April 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He organised the [[Crossroads Guitar Festival]] in 1999, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2019 and 2023 to raise funds for the centre.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://crossroadsguitarfestival.com/ |title=Crossroads Guitar Festival, Official website |publisher=Crossroadsguitarfestival.com |date=8 April 2013 |access-date=3 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708205032/http://www.crossroadsguitarfestival.com/ |archive-date=8 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1999, Clapton auctioned off some of his guitar collection and raised more than US$5&nbsp;million for continued support of the Crossroads Centre.<ref name=":0" /> A second guitar auction, which included the "Cream" of Clapton's collection, as well as guitars donated by famous friends, was held on {{nowrap|24 June}} 2004 at Christie's<ref name=":0" /> and raised US$7,438,624.<ref name="cdqimo" /> His [[George Lowden|Lowden]] acoustic guitar sold for US$41,825. 

In 2011, Clapton sold over 150 items at a New York auction, with the proceeds going to the Crossroads Centre. Items sold included his guitar from the Cream reunion tour in 2005, speaker cabinets used in the early 1970s from his days with Derek and the Dominos, and guitars from Jeff Beck, J. J. Cale, and Joe Bonamassa.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://iknowjack.radio.com/2010/12/10/eric-clapton-will-auction-vintage-guitars-amps-for-his-crossroads-centre/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213164850/http://iknowjack.radio.com/2010/12/10/eric-clapton-will-auction-vintage-guitars-amps-for-his-crossroads-centre/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 December 2010 |title=Eric Clapton Will Auction Vintage Guitars & Amps For His Crossroads Centre }}</ref> In March 2011, Clapton raised more than £1.3&nbsp;million when he auctioned off 138 lots, consisting of 75 guitars and 55 amps from his personal collection, including a 1948 Gibson [[hollow body guitar]]; a [[Gianni Versace]] suit from his 1990 concert at the Royal Albert Hall; and a replica of his famous Fender Stratocaster known as "Blackie", which fetched more than $30,000. All proceeds went to Crossroads.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/expat-money/8373815/Eric-Clapton-charity-auction-makes-1.3-million.html "Eric Clapton charity auction makes £1.3 million"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531092307/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/expat-money/8373815/Eric-Clapton-charity-auction-makes-1.3-million.html |date=31 May 2019 }}. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved 31 May 2019</ref>

Clapton has performed at the ''[[Secret Policeman's Ball]]'', a benefit show co-founded by [[Monty Python]] member [[John Cleese]] on behalf of [[Amnesty International]]. He made his first appearance at the show, held in London's [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane]], in 1981, and subsequently became an activist.<ref name="performers">{{cite news |title=Remember the Secret Policeman's Ball? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074qw2 |access-date=21 August 2019 |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822115518/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0074qw2 |archive-date=22 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Clapton has collaborated with [[The Prince's Trust]], the leading UK youth charity, which provides training, personal development, business start up support, mentoring, and advice. He has performed at the charity's rock concert numerous times since the 1980s, most recently in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|title=Queen rock Prince's Trust charity gala |date= 18 November 2010 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11765976 |work= BBC News |access-date= 30 April 2024 }}</ref> In 2008, he donated a song to [[Aid Still Required]]'s CD to assist with the restoration of Southeast Asia after the devastation inflicted by the [[2004 tsunami]].<ref>[http://www.aidstillrequired.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Exotic_AdventureQ1-2010.pdf "Green and Growing Aid Still Required Helps Darfur Refugees Take Root"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011180547/http://www.aidstillrequired.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Exotic_AdventureQ1-2010.pdf |date=11 October 2017 }}. Aid Still Required.org. Retrieved 4 December 2017</ref>

===Football===
Clapton is a fan of English football club [[West Bromwich Albion]].<ref name="West Brom"/> In 1982, he performed a concert before West Brom player [[John Wile]]'s testimonial game at [[The Hawthorns]]. It has been reported that the club rejected his offer to invest cash in the club around this time. In the late 1970s Clapton positioned a West Brom scarf on the back cover of his album, ''[[Backless]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/revealed-west-bromwich-albions-most-7817282/|title=West Bromwich Albion's famous supporters|work=Birmingham Mail|date=23 June 2015|access-date=26 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505071908/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/revealed-west-bromwich-albions-most-7817282|archive-date=5 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 1978–79 season Clapton sponsored West Brom's [[UEFA Cup]] home game against Turkish club [[Galatasaray]].<ref name="West Brom">{{cite magazine|title=Throwback Thursday: The West Brom Match Sponsored By Eric Clapton (September 27, 1978)|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/10/throwback-thursday-the-west-brom-match-sponsored-b.html|magazine=Paste Magazine|date=26 October 2016|access-date=26 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026233457/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/10/throwback-thursday-the-west-brom-match-sponsored-b.html|archive-date=26 October 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>