Random House Announces Acquisition of Eric Clapton's Autobiography

LONDON, October 12 /PRNewswire/ -- The Random House Group and Random House Inc are delighted to announce that Richard Cable and Oliver Johnson on behalf of The Random House Group in the UK and Stephen Rubin and Charlie Conrad on behalf of Doubleday in America have jointly acquired world rights to the autobiography of Eric Clapton from literary agent Ed Victor.

Since he first started playing and composing in the 1960s, Eric Clapton has sold tens of millions of records and played sell-out concerts around the world. He is, with only a handful of peers - Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, Paul McCartney and Pete Townsend - more than a rock star and more than a survivor. He is an icon - a living legend.

Now 60 and happily married with three small children, Clapton has rarely granted interviews, and has never spoken in great detail about his life. In his autobiography, he will write frankly about every aspect of his personal and musical odyssey, addressing everything that is known and much that is not.

Clapton will write the as-yet-untitled book in collaboration with Christopher Simon Sykes who has been a close friend since 1967. It will be published in Spring 2007 by Century in the UK and Doubleday in the US and as an audiobook, to coincide with the release by Warner Brothers of a complete retrospective boxed set of his recordings and a major world tour.

Richard Cable, Managing Director of the Random House Division says, 'Eric Clapton is a rock legend. His story encompasses genius, fame, tragedy and triumph over adversity in equal measure. This will be the inside story of one of the greatest musical figures of our time - we are thrilled and privileged to be publishing this landmark book.'

Stephen Rubin, president and publisher of Doubleday says, 'In an age where there are so few real stars, it is a thrill to be publishing the autobiography of a truly iconic figure whose life story will be of interest to millions of people around the world.'

Century is an imprint of The Random House Group, UK; Doubleday is an imprint of the Doubleday Broadway Publishing Group division of Random House, Inc. Bertelsmann AG is the parent company of both publishers.

SOURCE The Random House Group, London