NOVEMBER 2, 2004 – Eric Clapton was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, or CBE during ceremonies at Buckingham Palace for his services to music. The 59-year-old was given the honor by the Princess Royal as part of the New Year’s Honors list.
He said that during his youth he would have rejected the CBE due to his “rebellious streak”, but that he was now “grown up” enough to accept it. “I think it is an important thing to be able to set an example,” he said.
He added that he felt his earlier anti-establishment views were “immature”, and said: “To say ‘I did this all my life because I loved it’ and to be recognised for that in this part of my life is good. “I remember when the Beatles gave theirs back. At one time of life I probably would have identified with that, but I don’t now.”
The musician, who was made an OBE in 1994, said he thought his honor was for his musical “tenacity”, but also for his support for drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs. He conquered his own addictions in 1982 with the help of a treatment center and later established The Crossroads Center in the Caribbean, which he continues to support through fundraising. He also spoke of his support for the Queen and her family. “I am a real royalist too – I have the greatest of respect for the Royal Family. It is a great thing for me.”
