In 2001, Eric Clapton announced his retirement from touring. It wasn't the first time he had turned away from the spotlight. During each of these self-imposed exiles, Clapton found salvation, and rediscovered his purpose as a musician, by listening to the blues. "I've listened to these songs my whole life," says Clapton, who will release an album of fourteen Johnson covers in classic Chicago-blues style, Me and Mr. Johnson, on March 30th. "It's the most enjoyable music I've ever listened to." If the last ten are anything like the first four ... Wow. "All my life I've been saying things like, 'I'm quitting because everything is so commercial. The scene is corrupt.' It's a dissatisfaction with the status quo." Also, Eric Clapton collects graffiti. Preaching Blues: Eric Clapton, back to the crossroads | 
