Eric Clapton’s life was forever changed when his four-year-old son, Conor, fell to his death from a 53rd-floor apartment window in Manhattan. The tragic accident occurred on March 20, 1991, and it’s a pain that Clapton still carries with him to this day.
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Conor was in New York with his mother, Lory Del Santo, when the accident happened. Clapton was on his way to pick up his son when he received the devastating news. In an interview, Lory recalled the moment Clapton found out about Conor’s death, saying, “He froze solid. It was like he’d just stopped functioning.”
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Clapton had been looking forward to spending more time with his son and had even purchased tickets to the circus for them to attend together. The day before the accident, Clapton and Conor had spent the day at the circus, creating memories that Clapton would cherish forever.
Tragically, Clapton had also made a promise to Conor that he would never be able to keep. He had promised his son that they would visit the Bronx Zoo together, followed by lunch at a nearby Italian restaurant. But fate had other plans, and Conor’s life was cut short in a heartbreaking instant.
Clapton was devastated by his son’s death and stepped away from the public eye to grieve. He spent nearly a year in isolation, barely speaking to anyone and losing himself in music as a way to cope. During this time, he wrote and rewrote songs, searching for some kind of emotional release.
One of the songs that Clapton wrote during this time was “Tears in Heaven,” which he co-wrote with Will Jennings. The song was a way for Clapton to process his grief and keep Conor’s memory alive.
In a poignant twist, Clapton received a letter from Conor just days after his son’s death. The letter, which Conor had written with the help of his mother, was a heartbreaking reminder of the pain and loss that Clapton was experiencing.
Clapton’s story is a testament to the enduring power of love and grief. Despite the passage of time, Clapton still carries the pain of his son’s loss with him, and it’s a reminder that some wounds may never fully heal.
