I distinctly remember hearing 'Tears From Heaven' as an 11 year-old in 1991. When my dad explained what the song was about, my 11 year-old heart sank and I have thought about it from time-to-time throughout my entire life. For some strange reason I woke up singing this song this morning; in response, I held my own four-year-old son for a _very_ long time, grateful to GOD that he is still here with me. Rest up Conor.
TheBlinked1 Me too... I came here for the sane reason... I also have a son four years old... and I can until one become father... it is impossible to understand the true meaning of this song...
TheBlinked1 I was 11 as well and remember my mom explaining it to me, she loved this song. she passed November 2016 and I now think of her when I hear this song.
Here here. I have a 1 year old daughter and my heart sink thinking about anything happening to her. There is footage of Eric carrying Conor when he would be around 1 year old, and it breaks my heart to know the future of that poor little boy.
I wouldn't have wanted to see the body either, I don't think anyone would have wanted him to see his baby like that. tragic that he carries guilt for something that no parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle should ever see 😔
Martin Ward. I think it is so sad that people in certain cultures (US for one) have been “programmed” to see the dead. For some, it is the only way to say goodbye. My grandfather to whom I was very close died when I was 6 yo. My parents wouldn’t take me to the funeral home as I wanted to go. As a result I think I learned a healthier way to say goodbye and it didn’t involve looking at a corpse. Sixty years later I am still the same. I am grateful to my parents for the decision they made because it shaped me for the rest of my life. I consciously make memories each time I am with loved ones and cherish those memories. I don’t take anything for granted.
Eric Clapton was no stranger to fame's downside and even if he wanted to rush to Conor's side, based on Clapton's experience with fame, he KNEW, (be it his higher consciousness taking over or w/e,) the scene wld have become 10 x more chaotic bc the focus wld shift from not just a child had fallen but A FAMOUS PERSON'S CHILD had fallen and THAT wld attract 10 x more ppl, many who were NY tourists with cameras, paparazzi wld have been alerted and all those types of factors wld slow down the 1st responders access to Conor as well. The swelling crowd, noise interfering with VITAL communications at the scene. It's a perfect example of ONE of the down sides to fame. Clapton gave his son the anonymity the little guy really needed. Even if there was a 1% chance he could have survived, its best the crowd stay as small as possible. Clapton going on past the crowd and on up to the apt, kept the Paps from trying to get some horrid "money shot" of Eric Clapton at the scene in deep despair, or a bad pic of Conor simply BECAUSE of who's son he was.. I think walking past and not attracting attention was a very loving yet heart breaking choice that Clapton had to make even if it was done intuitively. Think about it, even when non- famous civilians try to run up to a tragic scene that our kids or loved ones might be in, the first thing cops do is hold family members back, and they do that for good reasons. Our grief and disbelief can putt us in shock, or our wanting to cradle a loved one gets in the way of first responders trying to make a miracle happen. I imagine the ride up in the elevator was nauseatingly slow and being up where he had fallen from was torture as well. Clapton made the right choice... Or his auto-pilot subconscious did it for him.
@@svenfigueroa312 Hi, I know exactly what you mean. In the videos @1.30 Clapton describes a terrible feeling that he wld never be able to forgive himself for because he did not run to Conor, seeing the crowd, paramedics and all... As if, had he run up and told a paramedic that he was the father of the child that had fallen the paramedics wld have made a way or given Clapton passage up to the top of the roof (of the side building) where Conor had fallen to. As u noted it was atop another smaller blding with already cumbersome access for those 1st responders tending to the child. Clapton mentions walking straight past the gathered crowd and on up to the apt instead of stopping. I agree with you and I don't know why Eric Clapton says he will never forgive himself for not going to Conor. I dont think he really had a choice.
I could not. All of our psyches are not wired to be able to face certain traumatic scenes. He may not have survived himself if he went to see the body.
Don't punish yourself Eric. It was shock and grief. Everybody copes with trauma differently and has different coping mechanisms. Eric's was denial, walking passed, knowing his son was dead. It's your mind protecting you, if he had seen Conor's body he would never get that horrific scene out of his head and he would know it was 'real.' He wasn't being selfish, shock affects people in different ways. His mind was trying to process the horrific situation. Would any parent want to see their young child after they had fell 49 floors?
So true, i am comnected with the persecuted throughout the world and the things i see leave such sad memories in my heart and life. I dont think i would want to see my only sons body laying there crushed like that as much as my heavenly Father i believe didnt gloat and watch his only Son on the cross sufferring.
I worked with undertakers, and I would advise not to look at your loved one fallen from that height. The image would have been so terrible, and forever stuck in your mind. Usually I say look at the body when you lost someone, stay for a while, say goodbye, it often helps you cope, but not in cases like that.
Blood Sacrifice fool. He went number one after that . Did you notice his emotional state at any given moment? Fools . Illuminatis As Above & So Below. Connor was a stairway to hell for Eric.
The hardest thing my wife and I went thru was the death of our son. Killed senselessly by a young man who chose to drink and drive. He left behind 3 young children. You never get over it. At best it grows more tolerable. My heart goes out to everyone who has lost a child. Only those who have can truly understand the heartache. He has been gone since Jan. of 2003 we are doing fine. Still.......................
Sheila Purcell I’m so sorry to hear that, but I hope you didn’t crucify what was probably a decent person but made a bad decision to drink and drive in court. Your son wasn’t the only life lost that night, whoever made that absolutely terrible decision also lost their life that night. Though they’re still here living it. Probably still in jail.
The US doesn't have the guts to truly get a grip on drunk driving. The penalties need to be so severe that getting just one DUI requires mandatory jail time. This country tolerates it. Makes me sick.
"Why didn't I run? Why didn't I go to see him? And the truth is, I couldn't, I was so freightened." I imagine myself in that poor man's shoes, and I supposed I'd have done the exact same thing, because to react, to acknowledge the event, somehow makes it "real". Such a tragic loss, Both for Eric and Lori. My heart goes out to both of them.
flurng Yeah, he did the right thing, it was NOT something he would have wanted to see, you surely don't want that memory of your child as the final one. Horrible, just horrible. I can't imagine it.
Maybe he didn't want that image seared into his memory for the rest of his life. I saw a friend of mine who wasted away from cancer. He looked like something that was dug up out of the graveyard. I wish I would have never went. I'd like to remember him the way he used to be. Now I have that image to carry around with me; not pretty.
I think that it was for the best that he didn't see his son dead on the ground... because he would of had that image sketched in his mind forever !! Besides, his son was no longer there, and he knew that, he was already gone... to heaven
exactly.... I, as a medivac pilot, see a lot of dead people. I went on a flight where multiple people were reported to be killed in a car crash. I almost shut down the aircraft and got out to see what was going on. I am glad that I did not. One of the children had lost his head.... I am soooooooo glad that I don't have that image in my head and they were not even my family... So god bless him that he did not go to see the scene of his son, from 50+ story fall. He's very lucky he didn't.
I have less feelings about what Eric thought, than what may have gone through the boys mind, after his mother may have been angry that Eric had not turned up to see his son, and then his mom may have thrown him out of the window..... and the kids thoughts as he hurtled to
@@RogerThat1945 The fact that I am not a native English speaker prevents me from fully understanding what you have written. Conor's mother did not throw anyone out of the window and did not get angry with Eric Clapton for not stopping to watch the lifeless body of the child. She was in the apartment, desperate.
That poor boy. To think of the fear and pain that he experienced in those last few seconds and he probably didn't even understand what was happening. I couldn't imagine loosing one of my boys. :'(
I have a son and can't stand the thought of what a vegitated mess I would be. However, I believe Conor did not feal fear or any impact pain whatsoever, bc spiritually his Guardian Angels removed his core being, his soul and consciousness from his body mere nano seconds after his foot left the balcony. Guardian Angels and a combination of other loving spirits and soul ties, that he will already know and recognize simply because he has soul ties with them even at his young age. All were soon there to receive, calm and comfort him and help him understand he's safe and transitioning from this dimension to the next. He may have felt some confusion, but as well a great comfort of the Lord by way of a euphoria at the same time that is very soul soothing and trusting. Based on my spiritual belief and other teachings from ppl like Nurses and Hospice workers who observe ppl dying and passing from one dimension to another, Ive come to understand that as soon as their situation is physically unsurvivable the Guardian Angels and those other loving soul ties are there to receive a person's souĺ as it comes out of the body and the body dies. In that order. On the earthly physical side, Conor's autonomic nervous system, or a 6th sense kind of function likely knew the impact was coming b4 Conor was aware and it chose to make him pass out to protect itself from overwhelming fear. Simultaneously to this body making all these adjustments and decisions, Heavenly forces were tending to his soul and deep core consciousness was being comforted and his soul was taken out of his body before it hit the ground. Either way, imo, his conciousness didn't experience what his body did. Even if a Coroners report showed he (or another) might of had a heart attack and peed themself, that doesnt mean they were aware they were about to hit ground and felt scared to death fear on the way down. That's just physical bodily functions taking place. Many bodily things might present as evidence of this or that... but that stuff is his earthly vessel without his soul and consciousness attention being in tune or aware of it. I just know in my heart he didn't suffer in pain or fright. He was not a punishment. He was a gift, if only for a short while.
@@melloyellow5598 I don't think he felt pain if so it wasn't much he died on imapact so it would've only been a second or two of pain if that. But fear , yes of course he was frightened while falling who wouldn't be ? I know i would and little kids don't understand and get scared easily.
Eric should never berate himself for walking by. People cope in different ways. Doesn't mean you don't love...RIP Connor and one day perhaps Dad will forgive himself.
Agreed, especially when you include factor's like shock into it. The truth is, no one can say for certain how they'd react in any situation, until that situation actually occurs. It's easy to hate yourself when you think of the "should of's" with the benefit of hindsight, but the momentary reality is an entirely, different force altogether.
Mr. Clapton, I feel and know your pain all too well, unfortunately I lost my son this year. I too quit drinking and drugs when he was 6 months old to allow him to have a Dad he could be proud of and not embarrassed to have. Now I do not wish this to happen to another human being. And my broken heart goes out to you and his mother.
I know many would think his not running to the scene was wrong, but I get it. When my dad collapsed in the next room years ago, I could not go in there, instead calling my mother, who had courage I could only hope for. I too, still feel ashamed.
Some things in life are best left unseen. Don't feel ashamed, it's like I said in another post, people cope with trauma/tragedy differently. When my dad died I refused to go and see him at the funeral parlour, but I was persuaded to go. I really didn't want to see him dead. I went and it made me worse, the funeral people had done a poor job on making him look 'at peace' they hadn't closed his eyes properly. That last image is the one I carry to this day. Sometimes it's best to remember loved ones as they were. I'm not trying to put anybody off saying goodbye to their loved ones at a funeral parlour. This was just my own experience, and there are some good funeral directors out there. Unfortunately my dads wasn't.
stanley james oh dear the below comment was meant for you dear. I also lost my first son. Guilt is the most difficult to get over Blessings Light and Love from Denmark
Eric Clapton lost what precious little time Conor had on this earth by not really being present in the child's life. Even he would admit this. Love your children. There is NOTHING more important. RIP Beautiful Little Conor
On the other hand, the mother had decided not to send him to school that day because his father was in town, and Conor was so happy to see him that he was very agitated, so enthusiastic that...
Grief does strange things to us. Eric was in shock, I can understand why he behaved in such a way. It was a tragic accident, I dont know if I could have coped with my child's death. I remember when my beloved niece died and my sister in law ran out her house and refused to take the phone call. I think she thought if she did not hear the words she could pretend it was not true. To bury your child must be the worst thing a mum and dad have to face.
Poor man, he shouldn't beat himself for walking by and not stopping. He was in shock and scared of what he would see, I think anyone can understand that and NOBODY should be judged for how they react in a time of such extreme horror.
This song always held a special place in my heart. On Jan. 28 1992 my mother passed away. As always I would run to music and that day I turned on the TV to listen to music and the first song I heard was Tears in heaven.
im thinking and sending a prayer for you and your mother today, Kelly. I hope you're doing well and carrying on, and am glad I was able to share in experiencing some solace of comfort in music with you. I was running to music as well, and that incredible song randomly appeared to me right when I needed it. Take care
Such a tragedy, that no one should have to bear. Eric's success in life and being in the public spotlight, lead him down paths that many like him have never returned from! He had the strength and support and will to beat his addiction, and the true love in his heart to write "Tears in Heaven" to allow Conor to be more than adequately memorialized and live in immortality! He is with our Lord and Savior now! No more tears! Best wishes Eric, and Conor's Mom and their families. Now and forever, Peace be with you.
Dan Jones I also ĺost my first son. The guilt no matter what the circumstances were is always the hardest hurdle to get through. Cannot believe some of these cruel comments 😢❤✌
Dan Jones I must have forgotten to press the button. I also lost my first son. The guilt was the worst. I was taken through the tunnel in a WHITE ROOM AND HEALED. I HAD TO THROW A BIG BOX OUT THE WINDOW LABELED "GUILT" THE FACT THAT ERIC'S SON JUMPED OUT THE WINDOW ..I GOT SO HARRASSED BY. IT IS RATHER IRONIC IN A DREADFULL Way. luv from Denmark sorry got stuck on caps.
Dear Mr. Clapton: My son was a guitarist and played a lot of Jimmie Hendrix- he died at age 23 back in September 25, 2011- my brother and sister-in-law raised him. And my oldest sister's daughter died age 14 back in March, 2007. And my older brother's daughter died she was maybe 18, 19 or 20. Our children were suicidal and we are still grieving and mourning to this very day. My oldest brother's grandson died in his crib too (he was just a new born baby.) My brothers are musicians and have their own band. So God Bless you and you family.
@@musicgirl999 Especially for the mother... who has grown and loved him immensely in every day of his short life. Despite she was and is an extremely strong woman, who had already suffered a lot from life, the loss of Conor has profoundly and irremediably marked her life and career, her mind and every part of herself, and probably consequently also the lives of her subsequent sons...
I couldn't have done it either. Forgive yourself, as hard as it must be. Connor wouldn't want you to feel badly. Remember that. I'm so sorry for your loss.
It wasn't until years later that I saw a picture of Connor. What a beautiful boy. Angelic, really. The lad had great genes. One can only imagine what might have been. Mean ol' world we live in.
As a father of two sons (2.5 years and 2 month old) i really cant imagine the pain in situation like that. I know that i couldnt handle it and that it would tear me apart. I couldnt go on. I can feel the struggle he has with the fact, that he didnt go to see his son. No matter what hes doing or what someone is telling him, this struggle will always be with him for life.
different people have different responses. because eric's response was different than what most people would expect doesn't make it better or worse, just different.
Jeffrey Prokopowicz I think this is just a classic case of denial, mentally just not able to process what has happend. I don't think that's strange at all, a shocking event like that is insanely hard to process. Whether your famous or not...
Some Jerk posted this interview claiming Connor was tossed out the window. I it went into the public stream. I reported it to google. .hope they took it down. He then went on to call me a stupid stupid women and bragged about how many languages he spoke. Having also lost my first son in an accident this is a psychopath hacker who enjoys inflicting pain. If you see it please report abuse. Thank you.
Beth D Oh Jesus, Google the true story about his parenting skills and you'll change your mind about Eric Clapton. He wanted nothing to do with that kid. Just cashed in on his own kid's death. Great father my ass.
He wasn’t a good father, let’s be honest, which probably makes his torment worse-however no parent deserves this, I am sure despite his lack of parenting he did love his baby boy and I sympathise and hope he somehow finds peace. This is depressing even all these years later. RIP little man
The thing to blame for his sons death is the one thing I hate on this earth more then anything is gravity. I fucking hate the thing on this earth more then anything. So many lives are lost or injury occurs because of this force. It would save so many lives if we could weaken it to an extent where no injuries would occur and when we fall we would fall down slowly so we dont get injured
when your child dies a part of you dies also..my son was 10...i had 10 years with him...the pain gets easier to deal with over time ...but it's always there...
How sad for all concerned. Everytime I hear this beautifully poignant song, my heart aches for Eric and Loya. I lost my brother in an awful boating accident and know what a deep loss it created in my life, I can only imagine that losing your child would be a hundred times worse... it would be more than one can take. The only comfort is knowing that they will be reunited in heaven, and I am sure that little Connor will recognize his parents and be so excited to see them again. May God Bless... Bluest Eyes In Texas
We all grow and mature in different ways. This happened because no one thought the lack of a balcony attached to the apartment would ever prove danger to the little boy. What a hard lesson to learn. R.I.P. little angel. I hope there is a heaven and that Father and Son will be reunited! Lory must think about him everyday. May Mother and son be reunited also. Such a tragedy and still so fresh in my memory.
We all react in different ways to unexpected tragedies...I sure hope Eric somehow can find peace in his heart. I know he so loved his little boy but I know Conor is with The Lord and okay. It's very hard to deal with losing someone who you love so much, unexpectedly, I've had more than I can bear but I keep holding onto my faith that I will see them again. I am sorry for those who have lost their loved ones. I hope God comforts and brings you hope through every day...with respect I say this.
Rest in peace, Connor. Eric, you were a great father. Don't blame yourself. i wish it never happened This is a horrible story and my heart goes out to him.
This song came out a year after my only son died of an incurable disease. It was torture. To know a healthy baby boy met such a horrific death, perhaps preventable, was unbearable to fathom. My husband had to play this song as a radio dj every night for a while. That poor child.
God its just so sad that Conor would fall out the window. Such a beauitful boy reminds me of my Jason. A angel baby boy so sweet can't even imagine what i would do if i lost my son. God bless you little conor forever r.i.p. will never forget you life and story.
each time I hear Eric share about those few moments my tears won't stop. What a difficult thing to hear, cannot imagine being him or Lori. Conor is or would've been the same age as my son, older by a month. I remember when the news came about this accident it's was shocking, hard to imagine and it took time before Eric, slowhand, Clapton spoke about that day. R.I.P. beautiful Conor
You can not imagine what it's like to hear His Mom talking about it... She was there. She is a very particular and special person, she has a character, a mask, a lot of 'layers' to protect her pain and a lot of love, even for Eric I think.
That is not very compassionate to say someone can't form love for their child because the child wasn't 'old enough'?! That's plain weird. A mother's love begins in the womb-Mother sees the soul in her baby, feels the soul of her baby. Dear God in Heaven, mother's love is infinite! So very sorry for your loss Ms. C..tears in Heaven indeed..but wait! There are no tears in Heaven!! Only joy, laughter, love and happiness--and children eagerly waiting to see the parents who love them and couldn't wait to see them again! Eric C. and Lory 'a child of infinite beauty' indeed!! What a lovely child Conor was! God bless and peace to all those who have lost a child..your broken hearts will be whole again.
So heartbreaking!! With as much as you would want to run to your child in that situation. I completely understand why he did not. Fear of what your sweet baby looks like would be to much. I pray Conner didn't suffer. I can't imagine how scared he must have been.
This story is different than the one the mother tells. She said Clapton actually showed up at the apartment right after the accident. She said his face went to stone. He's claiming he heard with a phone call...odd. Very tragic story either way.
+zigzagbigbag We all develop memories differently. If more people realized this a lot of family heartache would cease to exist. She may have blocked out the phone call along with the trauma of the fall, he may not be able to reconcile that he just happened to show up and actually would have had no idea who was being attended to in front of the building and so must tell himself he knew in order to punish himself in some way for his son's death, to lessen the burden on the child's mother, perhaps. Clapton's a narcissist, too, and they tend to view the world as no one else does despite evidence to the contrary of what they believe being provided to them.
The stories are not different...The mother in shock called eric...and obviously didn't remember. ..ur mind shuts down in horrific circumstances. ..The mother rem eric showing up...so that's the mothers version...eric was not there. .so can rem the dreaded phone call from lori
+zigzagbigbag Eric Clapton's Son Killed in a 49-Story FallPublished: March 21, 1991 The police story says a friend called him. I believe the police story, Besides the housekeeper, the boy's mother, Lori Del Santo, an Italian television actress, was in the duplex with a maid and a friend, the police said. Mr. Clapton, a founder of the rock groups Cream and Derek and the Dominos, was in New York on vacation. He does not live with Ms. Del Santo but went to the apartment after being called by a friend, the police said.
Eric was at the hotel when the accident happened. The boys mother called him and told what happened, understandably hysterical. Eric was in NY city doing a tour and his hotel wasnt that far away from the Manhatten condominium. Eric immediately left the hotel and arrived at scene of the accident minutes later. The police asked him a few questions, then Eric went upstairs to talk to the boys mother.
If you had a vague idea of Conor's mother's pain, Clapton's pain would be tickling. I absolutely do not want to belittle Clapton's suffering, I swear, I'm just saying that this story, from the Lory point of view, is an infinitely greater tragedy, for many reasons. She also lost herself that day. Although before and after suffering great pains, she struggles to talk about this fact, and never says his name. The loss of the most beloved person can create unthinkable consequences...
Why are some of the remarks on here so spiteful? Eric loved his son and his apology for any lacks he had in his parenting are in his beautiful song. Show some humanity, haters.
Eric spoke with feelings and truth about the death of Conor....I've seen many interviews and comments that he has made about Conor, and Eric has always been a private person....NOT to take anything away from his fans....BUT, I believe that when it comes to Conor, he would rather just leave things unsaid....His song, Tears in Heaven say it ALL....AND the rest of his life as a husband and father Will remain where he wants them to be....I Love YOU Eric....AND I respect, ALL that is sacred to YOU......
Clapton is incredibly down to Earth- it's like a normal guy has just been pulled into a tv interview. He's tough too. Not many people would be able to calmly talk about their son's death without shedding a tear.
this is not something that you or i have any words in...Their pain is inside them...leave them alone...they were not negligent...leave them alone...with their love for him
I could never have known what this feeling could be until I became a dad 19.5 months ago. I didn't give a fuck about mortality and now I think about it all the time. How can I make sure that my son, my beautiful little boy lives beyond my death! I can't live in a world without you Remy, and this kind of event would be the end of my life too, there's no way I could survive that loss!
that was the shock of his son's death time for him at that moment he was moving slow motion his mind could not wrap around the fact that his son was gone...how sad and horrible very very sad I'm so sorry Eric...
I hope Eric has come to the realization that his reaction was completely normal. Besides the fear that Eric felt, as he passed by his son's accident scene, his reaction also encompassed the first stage of grief: DENIAL. In other words, "If I don't see what has happened, it can't be true". That is how humans numb their mind from the horrific pain. I feel sad for Eric because he seems to feel so guilty for walking past his son's accident scene. In reality that is the more normal reaction than running to it. No one wants to see and believe that something so awful has happened to their little child. My god; the poor guy went to mortuary after, and held his dead child. Most people wouldn't even be able to do that. The mom was not able to go, just like most people would not be able to. But, Eric did what a lot of people would not be able to do. He went to the mortuary to see and hold his son. Prayers for peace in Eric's heart.
I have always been a fan of the pop scene particularly the 60's.I know very little of the lives the stars lead however as a mother and grand mother I have grieved all these years for the lost of what must have been a much loved son of Eric Clapton and Ms Del Santo.The young man would have been in his late 20's today. My heart goes out to them after all these years.
I'm more upset that under law, apartments / high rises, didn't require window shields, or protective bars, it's disgusting, the rents they charge, and donot put it back for people's safety! ! Even having balconys, that anyone cld flip over if they looked over to hard or were even drunk, people need to think!! N no janitor shld hv had an open window while children in home! It takes 1 second for a child to fall or any person, the bars shld hv been law, period!!!
You know how expensive it would be to install those precautions on all high rises? The more sensible solution is to not have an open window when you have a kid that could fall out of it
The self loathing of not seeing him is by far nothing compared to how psychologically crippling it would have been if he had. An impossible but right choice.
Eric cannot blame himself for this tragedy . We handle things differently . If I got that kind of call, I'm sure I would be in total shock , and denial. Eric was more than likely in shock . May your heart heal . Your son knows that you loved him . RIP Conor
my son was killed when he was 5 I did run to him as his mom I must be there because im his mom I shouldn't have been there in accidents like these are messy and I will forever be haunted by what I saw lean on Jesus Eric stay strong the pain never goes away but it does get better. ps every time I hear tears in heaven I cry
+crazlola1 Yes it does get better. For me I guess it gets more tolerable. I lost my son to a drunk driver. Only those of us who have lost a child can truly understand.
i can relate...my 25 year old son died after falling asleep from a fall out a 16th story window while visiting a friend in chicago...i was able to view the body and cremate him but i was too much in grief the next day to visit the building and go up to the room from where he fell...that haunted my dreams for years and i felt i failed him somehow by not doing that...
Eric, you were (still are) a great father, my heart cries for you and Lory of the lost of him. If Conor were alive today he would’ve been 32 years old. Rest In Paradise Conor Clapton (1986-1991)
I can understand why he feels shame, but there are simply things one does not want to ever see. Their own dead child being probably tops on that list. So do you choose to live with the shame of walking past, or live with the sight of seeing the result of falling 49 stories on your child. And you don't have really time to think about it. I'd choose to always have the picture of my son alive over seeing them in what must have been an awful death sight.
AdventuresOfTheKanFam yes such a small boyfalling all those stories would have been a big mess that he would be unrecognisable. Can't stop crying about this. I think with all the parents here that have lost their children we need to start a support group.luv from Denmark
There is no shame in walking past. As a mother, I can truly understand how truly unbearable losing a child is or would be. Off hand I cannot think of anything worse than that. Who are we to judge? My heart is with you Eric. Your son did not die. A soul is immortal.
Good day everyone, accidents happen anytime, and you cannot predict it when it is going to haopen, I am Leo Abrasaldo from the Philippines, my daughter also died last April 21, 2014, due to drowning accident, it only happened for only 5 or more minutes and my daughter was gone forever, I blame myself for the loss because I was there when it happened, I understand the feelings of Eric, Now I understand , that we are not perfect, but Im sure Im a good father of YANING, she know it Im sure...
Im so sorry. There's a documentary called "In an instant" that talks about how fast something that tragic happens. It makes losing someone unexpectedly really hard, accepting that reality.
leo abrasaldo That is so sad and such a horrible loss, and I am so very sorry you had to go through that. She knew how much you loved her, and will forever be in your heart.
NOT YOUR FAULT ERIC. GUILT IS PART OF THE GRIEVING PROCESS. IT WILL PASS I KNOW. I LOST MY FIRST SON TOO. AND YOU DO BELONG IN HEAVEN MY DEAR SWEET MAN. LUV FROM DENMARK
I am so sorry for Eric, it must be horrible to know that you just lost your son. My cousin also died 20 years ago because of a stupid accident, we got a call at 3 am and at first noone didnt really realize that she died... she was only three...it is sad when people who arent just careful become the reason of a child`s dead.
loosing a child it tragic. specially in an accident like this. is so painful. specially so young. the pain and memory of the child stays with you for ever! I lost my daughter in 2006. She had Rett Symdrome. >like Alzheimer's in older people. she was 24ys old. and like others. Not a day goes by , i think of her . Thanks to so many song writers/singers. their songs help.. My thought are with every one who looses a child to accidents, or other causes.. I pray for children all the time.
It is absolutely beautiful to see how many people have kind and friendly words to say about this. It cheers me up so much to read how nice everybody's comments are under this video. We're one and we should stick together, because together we are stronger! Thanks to everybody who commented on this, for you just made my day, if not more!
Eric Clapton is a favorite musician of mine. I heard the news of his boy on Armed Forces Radio while in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War... It was very sad, I wouldn't have wished that on anyone. I was deeply sorry he lost his son.
tragic beyond belief. poor bloke had a disturbing background himself. music was his saviour. he and Connor didn't deserve this fate. no reasoning needed. just bad luck. xx
I read an interview with Lory where she said Eric walked in 5min after their son fell out the window and she screamed "He's dead" and he didn't believe it until he saw the open window and she said his face turned to stone. Here he said she called him and told him. So confused...
I distinctly remember hearing 'Tears From Heaven' as an 11 year-old in 1991. When my dad explained what the song was about, my 11 year-old heart sank and I have thought about it from time-to-time throughout my entire life.
For some strange reason I woke up singing this song this morning; in response, I held my own four-year-old son for a _very_ long time, grateful to GOD that he is still here with me.
Rest up Conor.
Me 2
TheBlinked1 Me too... I came here for the sane reason... I also have a son four years old... and I can until one become father... it is impossible to understand the true meaning of this song...
TheBlinked1 I was 11 as well and remember my mom explaining it to me, she loved this song. she passed November 2016 and I now think of her when I hear this song.
TheBlinked1 I just found out last night what the song was about so sad and heart breaking it would have been Conors birthday yesterday
Here here. I have a 1 year old daughter and my heart sink thinking about anything happening to her. There is footage of Eric carrying Conor when he would be around 1 year old, and it breaks my heart to know the future of that poor little boy.
I wouldn't have wanted to see the body either, I don't think anyone would have wanted him to see his baby like that. tragic that he carries guilt for something that no parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle should ever see 😔
Martin Ward. I think it is so sad that people in certain cultures (US for one) have been “programmed” to see the dead. For some, it is the only way to say goodbye.
My grandfather to whom I was very close died when I was 6 yo. My parents wouldn’t take me to the funeral home as I wanted to go. As a result I think I learned a healthier way to say goodbye and it didn’t involve looking at a corpse.
Sixty years later I am still the same. I am grateful to my parents for the decision they made because it shaped me for the rest of my life. I consciously make memories each time I am with loved ones and cherish those memories. I don’t take anything for granted.
Eric Clapton was no stranger to fame's downside and even if he wanted to rush to Conor's side, based on Clapton's experience with fame, he KNEW, (be it his higher consciousness taking over or w/e,) the scene wld have become 10 x more chaotic bc the focus wld shift from not just a child had fallen but A FAMOUS PERSON'S CHILD had fallen and THAT wld attract 10 x more ppl, many who were NY tourists with cameras, paparazzi wld have been alerted and all those types of factors wld slow down the 1st responders access to Conor as well. The swelling crowd, noise interfering with VITAL communications at the scene. It's a perfect example of ONE of the down sides to fame. Clapton gave his son the anonymity the little guy really needed. Even if there was a 1% chance he could have survived, its best the crowd stay as small as possible. Clapton going on past the crowd and on up to the apt, kept the Paps from trying to get some horrid "money shot" of Eric Clapton at the scene in deep despair, or a bad pic of Conor simply BECAUSE of who's son he was.. I think walking past and not attracting attention was a very loving yet heart breaking choice that Clapton had to make even if it was done intuitively.
Think about it, even when non- famous civilians try to run up to a tragic scene that our kids or loved ones might be in, the first thing cops do is hold family members back, and they do that for good reasons. Our grief and disbelief can putt us in shock, or our wanting to cradle a loved one gets in the way of first responders trying to make a miracle happen.
I imagine the ride up in the elevator was nauseatingly slow and being up where he had fallen from was torture as well. Clapton made the right choice... Or his auto-pilot subconscious did it for him.
Mello Yellow i don’t understand...
Clapton walked past where? His son was lying atop a 4-story building.
@@svenfigueroa312 Hi, I know exactly what you mean. In the videos @1.30 Clapton describes a terrible feeling that he wld never be able to forgive himself for because he did not run to Conor, seeing the crowd, paramedics and all... As if, had he run up and told a paramedic that he was the father of the child that had fallen the paramedics wld have made a way or given Clapton passage up to the top of the roof (of the side building) where Conor had fallen to. As u noted it was atop another smaller blding with already cumbersome access for those 1st responders tending to the child. Clapton mentions walking straight past the gathered crowd and on up to the apt instead of stopping. I agree with you and I don't know why Eric Clapton says he will never forgive himself for not going to Conor. I dont think he really had a choice.
I could not. All of our psyches are not wired to be able to face certain traumatic scenes. He may not have survived himself if he went to see the body.
Don't punish yourself Eric. It was shock and grief. Everybody copes with trauma differently and has different coping mechanisms. Eric's was denial, walking passed, knowing his son was dead. It's your mind protecting you, if he had seen Conor's body he would never get that horrific scene out of his head and he would know it was 'real.' He wasn't being selfish, shock affects people in different ways. His mind was trying to process the horrific situation. Would any parent want to see their young child after they had fell 49 floors?
+michelle88960 so true
So true, i am comnected with the persecuted throughout the world and the things i see leave such sad memories in my heart and life. I dont think i would want to see my only sons body laying there crushed like that as much as my heavenly Father i believe didnt gloat and watch his only Son on the cross sufferring.
I worked with undertakers, and I would advise not to look at your loved one fallen from that height. The image would have been so terrible, and forever stuck in your mind. Usually I say look at the body when you lost someone, stay for a while, say goodbye, it often helps you cope, but not in cases like that.
Agree. No need to punish himself
Blood Sacrifice fool. He went number one after that . Did you notice his emotional state at any given moment? Fools . Illuminatis As Above & So Below. Connor was a stairway to hell for Eric.
The hardest thing my wife and I went thru was the death of our son. Killed senselessly by a young man who chose to drink and drive. He left behind 3 young children. You never get over it. At best it grows more tolerable. My heart goes out to everyone who has lost a child. Only those who have can truly understand the heartache. He has been gone since Jan. of 2003 we are doing fine. Still.......................
+Sheila Purcell I'm really sorry for your loss.
Sheila Purcell I’m so sorry to hear that, but I hope you didn’t crucify what was probably a decent person but made a bad decision to drink and drive in court. Your son wasn’t the only life lost that night, whoever made that absolutely terrible decision also lost their life that night. Though they’re still here living it. Probably still in jail.
God Bless You and your family
The US doesn't have the guts to truly get a grip on drunk driving. The penalties need to be so severe that getting just one DUI requires mandatory jail time. This country tolerates it. Makes me sick.
@@TheChattanoogaBandit fuck you
I think it's better that he didn't see his baby that way.
He knew he was gone, and seeing him would have been worse.
Rest in peace, Conor. 💗 🙏🏼💗
"Why didn't I run? Why didn't I go to see him? And the truth is, I couldn't, I was so freightened." I imagine myself in that poor man's shoes, and I supposed I'd have done the exact same thing, because to react, to acknowledge the event, somehow makes it "real". Such a tragic loss, Both for Eric and Lori. My heart goes out to both of them.
Whoa, buddy. That's a tough one. Forgive yourself.
God could never control his fall...
flurng Yeah, he did the right thing, it was NOT something he would have wanted to see, you surely don't want that memory of your child as the final one. Horrible, just horrible. I can't imagine it.
9
Maybe he didn't want that image seared into his memory for the rest of his life.
I saw a friend of mine who wasted away from cancer. He looked like something that was dug up out of the graveyard. I wish I would have never went. I'd like to remember him the way he used to be. Now I have that image to carry around with me; not pretty.
Despite all the negative stuff you hear about Eric Clapton, he's an open book, and speaks straight from the heart. That takes bravery.
He is brutally honest.You have to say that for the man
I think that it was for the best that he didn't see his son dead on the ground... because he would of had that image sketched in his mind forever !! Besides, his son was no longer there, and he knew that, he was already gone... to heaven
exactly.... I, as a medivac pilot, see a lot of dead people. I went on a flight where multiple people were reported to be killed in a car crash. I almost shut down the aircraft and got out to see what was going on. I am glad that I did not. One of the children had lost his head.... I am soooooooo glad that I don't have that image in my head and they were not even my family... So god bless him that he did not go to see the scene of his son, from 50+ story fall. He's very lucky he didn't.
I have less feelings about what Eric thought, than what may have gone through the boys mind, after his mother may have been angry that Eric had not turned up to see his son, and then his mom may have thrown him out of the window..... and the kids thoughts as he hurtled to
@@RogerThat1945 The fact that I am not a native English speaker prevents me from fully understanding what you have written.
Conor's mother did not throw anyone out of the window and did not get angry with Eric Clapton for not stopping to watch the lifeless body of the child. She was in the apartment, desperate.
.....right.
That poor boy. To think of the fear and pain that he experienced in those last few seconds and he probably didn't even understand what was happening. I couldn't imagine loosing one of my boys. :'(
I have a son and can't stand the thought of what a vegitated mess I would be. However, I believe Conor did not feal fear or any impact pain whatsoever, bc spiritually his Guardian Angels removed his core being, his soul and consciousness from his body mere nano seconds after his foot left the balcony. Guardian Angels and a combination of other loving spirits and soul ties, that he will already know and recognize simply because he has soul ties with them even at his young age. All were soon there to receive, calm and comfort him and help him understand he's safe and transitioning from this dimension to the next. He may have felt some confusion, but as well a great comfort of the Lord by way of a euphoria at the same time that is very soul soothing and trusting. Based on my spiritual belief and other teachings from ppl like Nurses and Hospice workers who observe ppl dying and passing from one dimension to another, Ive come to understand that as soon as their situation is physically unsurvivable the Guardian Angels and those other loving soul ties are there to receive a person's souĺ as it comes out of the body and the body dies. In that order.
On the earthly physical side, Conor's autonomic nervous system, or a 6th sense kind of function likely knew the impact was coming b4 Conor was aware and it chose to make him pass out to protect itself from overwhelming fear. Simultaneously to this body making all these adjustments and decisions, Heavenly forces were tending to his soul and deep core consciousness was being comforted and his soul was taken out of his body before it hit the ground. Either way, imo, his conciousness didn't experience what his body did. Even if a Coroners report showed he (or another) might of had a heart attack and peed themself, that doesnt mean they were aware they were about to hit ground and felt scared to death fear on the way down. That's just physical bodily functions taking place. Many bodily things might present as evidence of this or that... but that stuff is his earthly vessel without his soul and consciousness attention being in tune or aware of it. I just know in my heart he didn't suffer in pain or fright. He was not a punishment. He was a gift, if only for a short while.
Mello Yellow fuckin hell mate
@@melloyellow5598 I don't think he felt pain if so it wasn't much he died on imapact so it would've only been a second or two of pain if that. But fear , yes of course he was frightened while falling who wouldn't be ? I know i would and little kids don't understand and get scared easily.
@@melloyellow5598 absolutely
It's just not fair! I wouldn't trade my 3 year old son for all the wealth in the world.. Keep them safe and keep them loved always!
Seeing how far down he had fallen made my stomach ache, i can't begin to imagine how scared Conor was as he was falling for those brief moments. RIP
At least he didnt have to suffer. It was a swift death upon impact.
I know all children are beautiful, but what an exceptionally angelic face this boy had. Well all be reunited with our loved ones, one day.
Amen sister. we must go on and be strong for them in their place and until we are reunited
Eric should never berate himself for walking by. People cope in different ways. Doesn't mean you don't love...RIP Connor and one day perhaps Dad will forgive himself.
And guilt is a natural reaction that one cant be talked out of. People fixate on the worst most negative self implicating thought when grieving.
Agreed, especially when you include factor's like shock into it. The truth is, no one can say for certain how they'd react in any situation, until that situation actually occurs. It's easy to hate yourself when you think of the "should of's" with the benefit of hindsight, but the momentary reality is an entirely, different force altogether.
Mr. Clapton,
I feel and know your pain all too well, unfortunately I lost my son this year. I too quit drinking and drugs when he was 6 months old to allow him to have a Dad he could be proud of and not embarrassed to have. Now I do not wish this to happen to another human being. And my broken heart goes out to you and his mother.
jackjackattack .....and my heart goes out to you also sir....in your loss, blessings.
The part where he said he could not run or go to his son makes me so sad but who could? he new what he was going to see dont blame ur self eric ...
I 100% agree with you man
I know many would think his not running to the scene was wrong, but I get it. When my dad collapsed in the next room years ago, I could not go in there, instead calling my mother, who had courage I could only hope for. I too, still feel ashamed.
Some things in life are best left unseen. Don't feel ashamed, it's like I said in another post, people cope with trauma/tragedy differently. When my dad died I refused to go and see him at the funeral parlour, but I was persuaded to go. I really didn't want to see him dead. I went and it made me worse, the funeral people had done a poor job on making him look 'at peace' they hadn't closed his eyes properly. That last image is the one I carry to this day. Sometimes it's best to remember loved ones as they were. I'm not trying to put anybody off saying goodbye to their loved ones at a funeral parlour. This was just my own experience, and there are some good funeral directors out there. Unfortunately my dads wasn't.
I'm sorry to hear that Michelle but your Dad new you love him.
so agree Michelle - I feel exactly the same
I also lost my son, John he was born five years earlier than Connor. We were very close and played the guitar together. I told him of this story.
stanley james oh dear the below comment was meant for you dear. I also lost my first son. Guilt is the most difficult to get over Blessings Light and Love from Denmark
I'm so sorry for you mate which was very bad for you my heart is with you I did remember it you're the best my heart is with you from Simon Rothery
Eric Clapton lost what precious little time Conor had on this earth by not really being present in the child's life. Even he would admit this.
Love your children.
There is NOTHING more important.
RIP Beautiful Little Conor
On the other hand, the mother had decided not to send him to school that day because his father was in town, and Conor was so happy to see him that he was very agitated, so enthusiastic that...
Grief does strange things to us. Eric was in shock, I can understand why he behaved in such a way. It was a tragic accident, I dont know if I could have coped with my child's death. I remember when my beloved niece died and my sister in law ran out her house and refused to take the phone call. I think she thought if she did not hear the words she could pretend it was not true. To bury your child must be the worst thing a mum and dad have to face.
Poor man, he shouldn't beat himself for walking by and not stopping. He was in shock and scared of what he would see, I think anyone can understand that and NOBODY should be judged for how they react in a time of such extreme horror.
Right. Extremely painful and a shock.
So Sweet, If crying would bring him back. He would be here. God Bless All of Yous
This song always held a special place in my heart. On Jan. 28 1992 my mother passed away. As always I would run to music and that day I turned on the TV to listen to music and the first song I heard was Tears in heaven.
im thinking and sending a prayer for you and your mother today, Kelly. I hope you're doing well and carrying on, and am glad I was able to share in experiencing some solace of comfort in music with you. I was running to music as well, and that incredible song randomly appeared to me right when I needed it. Take care
Such a tragedy, that no one should have to bear. Eric's success in life and being in the public spotlight, lead him down paths that many like him have never returned from! He had the strength and support and will to beat his addiction, and the true love in his heart to write "Tears in Heaven" to allow Conor to be more than adequately memorialized and live in immortality! He is with our Lord and Savior now! No more tears! Best wishes Eric, and Conor's Mom and their families. Now and forever, Peace be with you.
Dan Jones I also ĺost my first son. The guilt no matter what the circumstances were is always the hardest hurdle to get through. Cannot believe some of these cruel comments 😢❤✌
Dan Jones I must have forgotten to press the button. I also lost my first son. The guilt was the worst. I was taken through the tunnel in a WHITE ROOM AND HEALED. I HAD TO THROW A BIG BOX OUT THE WINDOW LABELED "GUILT" THE FACT THAT ERIC'S SON JUMPED OUT THE WINDOW ..I GOT SO HARRASSED BY. IT IS RATHER IRONIC IN A DREADFULL Way. luv from Denmark sorry got stuck on caps.
Dear Mr. Clapton: My son was a guitarist and played a lot of Jimmie Hendrix- he died at age 23 back in September 25, 2011- my brother and sister-in-law raised him. And my oldest sister's daughter died age 14 back in March, 2007. And my older brother's daughter died she was maybe 18, 19 or 20. Our children were suicidal and we are still grieving and mourning to this very day. My oldest brother's grandson died in his crib too (he was just a new born baby.) My brothers are musicians and have their own band. So God Bless you and you family.
I love this song cause I dedicated to my son I lost in 2011 RIP Dashawn Gilbert. Miss n Never Forgotten!!
brenda gilbert think we should start a support group.I lost my first son too in an accident..😢😢😢💔✌
This is a horrible story and my heart goes out to him.
Rose Breen My heart goes out to him and also Conor's mother too.
@@musicgirl999 Especially for the mother... who has grown and loved him immensely in every day of his short life. Despite she was and is an extremely strong woman, who had already suffered a lot from life, the loss of Conor has profoundly and irremediably marked her life and career, her mind and every part of herself, and probably consequently also the lives of her subsequent sons...
@@ElleBbi especially for the mother? Wasn't it her fault?
I couldn't have done it either. Forgive yourself, as hard as it must be. Connor wouldn't want you to feel badly. Remember that. I'm so sorry for your loss.
It wasn't until years later that I saw a picture of Connor. What a beautiful boy. Angelic, really. The lad had great genes. One can only imagine what might have been. Mean ol' world we live in.
Life can be painful. Pain is am education in love.
Music soothes the soul.
We love you Eric. x
As a father of two sons (2.5 years and 2 month old) i really cant imagine the pain in situation like that. I know that i couldnt handle it and that it would tear me apart. I couldnt go on. I can feel the struggle he has with the fact, that he didnt go to see his son. No matter what hes doing or what someone is telling him, this struggle will always be with him for life.
Such a beautiful song for a beautiful little boy.
In tears watching this. I have a two year old son and he is my whole world.
different people have different responses. because eric's response was different than what most people would expect doesn't make it better or worse, just different.
Exactly what I said . When you get a cal like that , you are going to be in shock !
Jeffrey Prokopowicz I think this is just a classic case of denial, mentally just not able to process what has happend. I don't think that's strange at all, a shocking event like that is insanely hard to process. Whether your famous or not...
yes
Some Jerk posted this interview claiming Connor was tossed out the window. I it went into the public stream. I reported it to google. .hope they took it down. He then went on to call me a stupid stupid women and bragged about how many languages he spoke. Having also lost my first son in an accident this is a psychopath hacker who enjoys inflicting pain. If you see it please report abuse. Thank you.
This makes me cry....every time I hear this song....
Such a beautiful child, I pray that the memory of his angelic face outshines every aspect of his passing in his parents eyes.
Im born 1986 too same as the son of eric and im 32 now
Rest in peace, Connor. Eric, you were a great father. Don't blame yourself.
Beth D Oh Jesus, Google the true story about his parenting skills and you'll change your mind about Eric Clapton. He wanted nothing to do with that kid. Just cashed in on his own kid's death. Great father my ass.
Maybe thats why the kids mom may have thrown him out.
Beth D ummmm be he wasn’t by his own admission🙄
He wasn’t a good father, let’s be honest, which probably makes his torment worse-however no parent deserves this, I am sure despite his lack of parenting he did love his baby boy and I sympathise and hope he somehow finds peace. This is depressing even all these years later. RIP little man
The thing to blame for his sons death is the one thing I hate on this earth more then anything is gravity. I fucking hate the thing on this earth more then anything. So many lives are lost or injury occurs because of this force. It would save so many lives if we could weaken it to an extent where no injuries would occur and when we fall we would fall down slowly so we dont get injured
when your child dies a part of you dies also..my son was 10...i had 10 years with him...the pain gets easier to deal with over time ...but it's always there...
How sad for all concerned. Everytime I hear this beautifully poignant song, my heart aches for Eric and Loya. I lost my brother in an awful boating accident and know what a deep loss it created in my life, I can only imagine that losing your child would be a hundred times worse... it would be more than one can take. The only comfort is knowing that they will be reunited in heaven, and I am sure that little Connor will recognize his parents and be so excited to see them again.
May God Bless...
Bluest Eyes In Texas
We all grow and mature in different ways. This happened because no one thought the lack of a balcony attached to the apartment would ever prove danger to the little boy. What a hard lesson to learn. R.I.P. little angel. I hope there is a heaven and that Father and Son will be reunited! Lory must think about him everyday. May Mother and son be reunited also. Such a tragedy and still so fresh in my memory.
My dad played this song at my moms funeral. I was only 9. I have such a hard time listening to it.
😭
We all react in different ways to unexpected tragedies...I sure hope Eric somehow can find peace in his heart. I know he so loved his little boy but I know Conor is with The Lord and okay. It's very hard to deal with losing someone who you love so much, unexpectedly, I've had more than I can bear but I keep holding onto my faith that I will see them again. I am sorry for those who have lost their loved ones. I hope God comforts and brings you hope through every day...with respect I say this.
Rest in peace, Connor. Eric, you were a great father. Don't blame yourself.
i wish it never happened
This is a horrible story and my heart goes out to him.
What a tragedy and I understand perfectly why he couldn't go to him. God bless them all xxx
This song came out a year after my only son died of an incurable disease. It was torture. To know a healthy baby boy met such a horrific death, perhaps preventable, was unbearable to fathom. My husband had to play this song as a radio dj every night for a while. That poor child.
if you read this eric ' you were in shock, in denial ' thats why you walked by, anyone would! god bless you
God its just so sad that Conor would fall out the window. Such a beauitful boy reminds me of my Jason. A angel baby boy so sweet can't even imagine what i would do if i lost my son. God bless you little conor forever r.i.p. will never forget you life and story.
each time I hear Eric share about those few moments my tears won't stop. What a difficult thing to hear, cannot imagine being him or Lori. Conor is or would've been the same age as my son, older by a month. I remember when the news came about this accident it's was shocking, hard to imagine and it took time before Eric, slowhand, Clapton spoke about that day. R.I.P. beautiful Conor
You can not imagine what it's like to hear His Mom talking about it... She was there.
She is a very particular and special person, she has a character, a mask, a lot of 'layers' to protect her pain and a lot of love, even for Eric I think.
So very very sad thing to happen to any parent.. RIP little man.
+Yvonne Dette i agree.. RIP little man.
That is not very compassionate to say someone can't form love for their child because the child wasn't 'old enough'?! That's plain weird. A mother's love begins in the womb-Mother sees the soul in her baby, feels the soul of her baby. Dear God in Heaven, mother's love is infinite! So very sorry for your loss Ms. C..tears in Heaven indeed..but wait! There are no tears in Heaven!! Only joy, laughter, love and happiness--and children eagerly waiting to see the parents who love them and couldn't wait to see them again! Eric C. and Lory 'a child of infinite beauty' indeed!! What a lovely child Conor was! God bless and peace to all those who have lost a child..your broken hearts will be whole again.
Yes,I agree,you would never get that image out your head,best to remember Connor alive ❤❤❤
So heartbreaking!! With as much as you would want to run to your child in that situation. I completely understand why he did not. Fear of what your sweet baby looks like would be to much. I pray Conner didn't suffer. I can't imagine how scared he must have been.
This is heartbreaking still... Children are the light!
You can never underestimate the love between a father and his son.
This story is different than the one the mother tells. She said Clapton actually showed up at the apartment right after the accident. She said his face went to stone. He's claiming he heard with a phone call...odd. Very tragic story either way.
+zigzagbigbag
We all develop memories differently.
If more people realized this a lot of family heartache would cease to exist.
She may have blocked out the phone call along with the trauma of the fall, he may not be able to reconcile that he just happened to show up and actually would have had no idea who was being attended to in front of the building and so must tell himself he knew in order to punish himself in some way for his son's death, to lessen the burden on the child's mother, perhaps.
Clapton's a narcissist, too, and they tend to view the world as no one else does despite evidence to the contrary of what they believe being provided to them.
The stories are not different...The mother in shock called eric...and obviously didn't remember. ..ur mind shuts down in horrific circumstances. ..The mother rem eric showing up...so that's the mothers version...eric was not there. .so can rem the dreaded phone call from lori
+zigzagbigbag Eric Clapton's Son Killed in a 49-Story FallPublished: March 21, 1991
The police story says a friend called him. I believe the police story,
Besides the housekeeper, the boy's mother, Lori Del Santo, an Italian television actress, was in the duplex with a maid and a friend, the police said. Mr. Clapton, a founder of the rock groups Cream and Derek and the Dominos, was in New York on vacation. He does not live with Ms. Del Santo but went to the apartment after being called by a friend, the police said.
+Contact Info Rolling stone I mean www.nytimes.com/1991/03/21/nyregion/eric-clapton-s-son-killed-in-a-49-story-fall.html
Eric was at the hotel when the accident happened. The boys mother called him and told what happened, understandably hysterical. Eric was in NY city doing a tour and his hotel wasnt that far away from the Manhatten condominium. Eric immediately left the hotel and arrived at scene of the accident minutes later. The police asked him a few questions, then Eric went upstairs to talk to the boys mother.
Poor child, poor parents. This story has haunted me for years, I cannot imagine how they must feel.
words will never help.
No words can explain the hurt of Eric Clapton about his son.
If you had a vague idea of Conor's mother's pain, Clapton's pain would be tickling.
I absolutely do not want to belittle Clapton's suffering, I swear, I'm just saying that this story, from the Lory point of view, is an infinitely greater tragedy, for many reasons. She also lost herself that day. Although before and after suffering great pains, she struggles to talk about this fact, and never says his name. The loss of the most beloved person can create unthinkable consequences...
Why are some of the remarks on here so spiteful? Eric loved his son and his apology for any lacks he had in his parenting are in his beautiful song. Show some humanity, haters.
Ally Woo SOME PEOPLE ARE ASSHOLES.
Cancel culture wannabes
Eric spoke with feelings and truth about the death of Conor....I've seen many interviews and comments that he has made about Conor, and Eric has always been a private person....NOT to take anything away from his fans....BUT, I believe that when it comes to Conor, he would rather just leave things unsaid....His song, Tears in Heaven say it ALL....AND the rest of his life as a husband and father Will remain where he wants them to be....I Love YOU Eric....AND I respect, ALL that is sacred to YOU......
Dear Eric, I grieve for you still. Our prayers are with you.
When the grief is too much the mind shuts down in shock and you become numb and robotic. It's a protection mechanism. Don't be too hard on yourself...
Clapton is incredibly down to Earth- it's like a normal guy has just been pulled into a tv interview. He's tough too. Not many people would be able to calmly talk about their son's death without shedding a tear.
I remember when this happened. It is still so very sad. RIP Conor Clapton
"I REALLY did love this boy" thats a bizarre thing to say....
this is not something that you or i have any words in...Their pain is inside them...leave them alone...they were not negligent...leave them alone...with their love for him
I agree with you.
pandabear2820 PRECISELY!
I could never have known what this feeling could be until I became a dad 19.5 months ago. I didn't give a fuck about mortality and now I think about it all the time. How can I make sure that my son, my beautiful little boy lives beyond my death! I can't live in a world without you Remy, and this kind of event would be the end of my life too, there's no way I could survive that loss!
that was the shock of his son's death time for him at that moment he was moving slow motion his mind could not wrap around the fact that his son was gone...how sad and horrible very very sad I'm so sorry Eric...
I hope Eric has come to the realization that his reaction was completely normal. Besides the fear that Eric felt, as he passed by his son's accident scene, his reaction also encompassed the first stage of grief: DENIAL. In other words, "If I don't see what has happened, it can't be true". That is how humans numb their mind from the horrific pain. I feel sad for Eric because he seems to feel so guilty for walking past his son's accident scene. In reality that is the more normal reaction than running to it. No one wants to see and believe that something so awful has happened to their little child. My god; the poor guy went to mortuary after, and held his dead child. Most people wouldn't even be able to do that. The mom was not able to go, just like most people would not be able to. But, Eric did what a lot of people would not be able to do. He went to the mortuary to see and hold his son. Prayers for peace in Eric's heart.
you did the right thing. no one should ever have to go through what you did.
How should you have dealt with it,
you're still here.
I have always been a fan of the pop scene particularly the 60's.I know very little of the lives the stars lead however as a mother and grand mother I have grieved all these years for the lost of what must have been a much loved son of Eric Clapton and Ms Del Santo.The young man would have been in his late 20's today.
My heart goes out to them after all these years.
Sir, I Can't fathom that moment walking by the accident. I don't even have words, let alone judge you for your actions. I hope you find peace.
It has been 33 years since that day. Rest in peace, Conor - Fly high 🕊 🙏🏻
I'm more upset that under law, apartments / high rises, didn't require window shields, or protective bars, it's disgusting, the rents they charge, and donot put it back for people's safety! !
Even having balconys, that anyone cld flip over if they looked over to hard or were even drunk, people need to think!! N no janitor shld hv had an open window while children in home!
It takes 1 second for a child to fall or any person, the bars shld hv been law, period!!!
You know how expensive it would be to install those precautions on all high rises? The more sensible solution is to not have an open window when you have a kid that could fall out of it
The self loathing of not seeing him is by far nothing compared to how psychologically crippling it would have been if he had. An impossible but right choice.
Eric don't punish yourself for not going over there. This was just so sad to hear how his sweet boy passed.
Eric cannot blame himself for this tragedy . We handle things differently . If I got that kind of call, I'm sure I would be in total shock , and denial. Eric was more than likely in shock . May your heart heal . Your son knows that you loved him . RIP Conor
My heart just breaks for him.... I cannot imagine what he went through and still goes through....
Solo un genitore può sapere cosa si prova a perdere un bimbo così all'improvviso. Un forte abbraccio virtuale ad Eric e Lory.
This made me weep I hope he has managed to make peace as he should not be ashamed of being scared and not wanting to see his sons body :(
my son was killed when he was 5 I did run to him as his mom I must be there because im his mom I shouldn't have been there in accidents like these are messy and I will forever be haunted by what I saw lean on Jesus Eric stay strong the pain never goes away but it does get better. ps every time I hear tears in heaven I cry
+crazlola1 Yes it does get better. For me I guess it gets more tolerable. I lost my son to a drunk driver. Only those of us who have lost a child can truly understand.
i can relate...my 25 year old son died after falling asleep from a fall out a 16th story window while visiting a friend in chicago...i was able to view the body and cremate him but i was too much in grief the next day to visit the building and go up to the room from where he fell...that haunted my dreams for years and i felt i failed him somehow by not doing that...
Eric, you were (still are) a great father, my heart cries for you and Lory of the lost of him. If Conor were alive today he would’ve been 32 years old. Rest In Paradise Conor Clapton (1986-1991)
I can understand why he feels shame, but there are simply things one does not want to ever see. Their own dead child being probably tops on that list. So do you choose to live with the shame of walking past, or live with the sight of seeing the result of falling 49 stories on your child. And you don't have really time to think about it. I'd choose to always have the picture of my son alive over seeing them in what must have been an awful death sight.
AdventuresOfTheKanFam yes such a small boyfalling all those stories would have been a big mess that he would be unrecognisable. Can't stop crying about this. I think with all the parents here that have lost their children we need to start a support group.luv from Denmark
There is no shame in walking past. As a mother, I can truly understand how truly unbearable losing a child is or would be. Off hand I cannot think of anything worse than that. Who are we to judge? My heart is with you Eric. Your son did not die. A soul is immortal.
I had a child the same age as Connor, so i was affected badly by Eric's loss. I was and always will be a huge fan of him.
My son was 6 when I heard this story , I cried , so tragic , Rip Conner
Good day everyone, accidents happen anytime, and you cannot predict it when it is going to haopen, I am Leo Abrasaldo from the Philippines, my daughter also died last April 21, 2014, due to drowning accident, it only happened for only 5 or more minutes and my daughter was gone forever, I blame myself for the loss because I was there when it happened, I understand the feelings of Eric, Now I understand , that we are not perfect, but Im sure Im a good father of YANING, she know it Im sure...
So sorry for your loss.
Im so sorry. There's a documentary called "In an instant" that talks about how fast something that tragic happens. It makes losing someone unexpectedly really hard, accepting that reality.
leo abrasaldo I am also a Filipino and am I sorry for your loss
leo abrasaldo That is so sad and such a horrible loss, and I am so very sorry you had to go through that. She knew how much you loved her, and will forever be in your heart.
NOT YOUR FAULT ERIC. GUILT IS PART OF THE GRIEVING PROCESS. IT WILL PASS I KNOW. I LOST MY FIRST SON TOO. AND YOU DO BELONG IN HEAVEN MY DEAR SWEET MAN. LUV FROM DENMARK
Burying your kids is grief beyond comprehension.
What a sad and true song about his feelings.
I looked into this story after hearing that Tears in Heaven was about Clapton's son. And man, I feel so depressed now...
Same to me. I always loved this song without knowing the meaning. Now i know and make me cry
Very beautiful as well as sad...I couldn't imagine the hurt..
I am so sorry for Eric, it must be horrible to know that you just lost your son. My cousin also died 20 years ago because of a stupid accident, we got a call at 3 am and at first noone didnt really realize that she died... she was only three...it is sad when people who arent just careful become the reason of a child`s dead.
loosing a child it tragic. specially in an accident like this. is so painful. specially so young. the pain and memory of the child stays with you for ever! I lost my daughter in 2006. She had Rett Symdrome. >like Alzheimer's in older people. she was 24ys old. and like others. Not a day goes by , i think of her . Thanks to so many song writers/singers. their songs help.. My thought are with every one who looses a child to accidents, or other causes.. I pray for children all the time.
It is absolutely beautiful to see how many people have kind and friendly words to say about this. It cheers me up so much to read how nice everybody's comments are under this video. We're one and we should stick together, because together we are stronger! Thanks to everybody who commented on this, for you just made my day, if not more!
Eric - I might have done the same thing. We have a built in circuit breaker for pain, and yours just flipped. It's ok.
Eric Clapton is a favorite musician of mine. I heard the news of his boy on Armed Forces Radio while in Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War... It was very sad, I wouldn't have wished that on anyone. I was deeply sorry he lost his son.
So sad. I wouldn’t be able to go see him either. He shouldn’t beat himself up over it..
I remember it being reported and felt so sad for eric i mean its a nightmare poor guy rip we guy
tragic beyond belief. poor bloke had a disturbing background himself. music was his saviour. he and Connor didn't deserve this fate. no reasoning needed. just bad luck. xx
I read an interview with Lory where she said Eric walked in 5min after their son fell out the window and she screamed "He's dead" and he didn't believe it until he saw the open window and she said his face turned to stone. Here he said she called him and told him. So confused...
Perhaps there's more to this story than we are being told.
I am so sorry you had to endure this Eric. My heart breaks for you and Connor's mother. You will be with your sweet baby boy again one day
I couldn't handle it either.i don't think many could it all was so surreal at the time your not in control of your emotions at that stage.