What really happened when Eric Clapton’s 4-year-old son passed away
The heartbreaking loss of Eric Clapton’s son, who was only 21 years old when he passed away in 1991, has been the subject of a biography.
On the dreadful day that the little son of music great Eric Clapton passed away tragically in 1991 – he was only four years old – there was an expectation that it would be the beginning of a new beginning.
However, the terrible event ended up serving as the impetus for the creation of two of the artist’s most memorable songs.
Only the day before Conor passed away, Clapton took him on a memorable trip to the circus on Long Island. Clapton, who is now 73 years old, shared custody of their son with the Italian actress Lory del Santo. Lory del Santo had custody of their son.
According to an excerpt from the biography Slowhand: The Life And Music Of Eric Clapton written by Philip Norman and published in the Daily Mail, it was the first time the famous guitarist had brought his son out by himself. Slowhand: The Life And Music Of Eric Clapton was written by Philip Norman.
According to Norman’s account, Clapton “wanted to be a proper father.”
The following morning, just as Clapton was about to arrive to pick up Conor for yet another day trip, this time to the Bronx Zoo and an Italian restaurant for lunch, a terrible accident took place.
Conor was giddy with anticipation to see his “papa,” the Italian film producer Silvio Sardi, and was running all around the 53rd apartment in the New York high-rise that his mother lived with him.
Recounting the events, Norman mentions that a janitor had been working on the windows in the living room, but one of them was remained open.
“He yelled out to the nanny to watch the child, but before she could react, Conor ran past her, hopped up on to the low window-ledge where he’d regularly push his nose against the glass to gaze out – and disappeared,” the author said. “He called out to the nanny to watch the child.”
The young boy, only four years old, met a horrible end when he plummeted to his death.
In the aftermath of the tragic event, Clapton created two of his most famous chart-toppers, Tears in Heaven and Circus Left Town. The lyrics of the latter song, which are filled with profound sorrow, are among the most well-known in the history of classic music:
“Would you know my name / If I saw you in heaven? / Would you know my name?” Would it be the same if I saw you in heaven? / Would it be the same? / Because I am aware that I do not have a place in paradise, it is imperative that I remain courageous and keep going.
At the funeral for his son, Clapton said his final goodbyes to his son, Conor, two days before he turned 46 years old.
At one point, Clapton referred to his son as “the one thing in my life that could possibly turn out for the better.”