The Tragic Story Behind Eric Clapton's Song "Tears In Heaven"

#1 Italian Model Meets Man

Italian model Lory del Santo met as English man who was visiting Milan back in 1985. She didn't know it at the time, but that man was a famous musician who was on tour in Europe. The two began dating, fell in love, and eventually, they got married.

#2 She Is Pregnant

Fate was shining on Lory when she found out she was expecting a child, as it was her one big dream in life. But unlike the stories in fairy tales, the musician was not happy to hear her exciting news. He was just not ready to begin a family. After arguing over the situation, the couple split up. Lory realized that her husband needed time to understand that he was going to be a father since life on the road touring was what he was used to. As she gave birth to her son Conor, the father came to her side and the family reunited in August of 1986.

#3 One Happy Family

The baby brought lots of joy to the couple's lives and made them stronger. They moved to the English countryside and began living happily as a family. But the father was away most of the time and was having problems.

#4 He Turned To Drinking

The father was feeling strange. He had a funny feeling that he was not connecting with his son Conor and was not feeling that familial bond he was supposed to have. Unable to relate the child, the father turned to alcohol to cover up his feelings. H then decided that he was not doing the proper thing around his family and committed himself to a rehabilitation center to get help with his drinking problem.

#5 They Split Up

The man and his wife slowly drifted apart once more, and the eventually just stopped speaking or seeing one another. After many months, Lory moved with Conor back to Italy to resume her life. The father later began contacting his wife and son on occasion, but very sporadically. The two finally moved to New York so she could find work as a model.

#6 Conor Loved And Missed His Dad

Little Conor loved his father, and listened to his music every day, and sang along to every single song he heard. Lory explained to him that his father was busy on the road making money and music. Then, Conor received a huge surprise when his father came for him and brought him on an outing, where they visited the circus. Their very first time alone together as father and son.

#7 Decided That Day They Could Be A Family Oce Again

From then on the father wanted to be in the life of his son much more, to help care for him. They had already planned to go to the zoo the next day. Conor was so ecstatic that he couldn't sleep properly. He was simply too excited about the time with his father, and the life they would explore together in the years to come.

#8 Tragedy Strikes The Family

The day after the trip to the circus, little Conor was so excited to be going to the zoo that he was acting hyper, and began playing a game of hide-and-seek with his Nanny in their apartment, which was near the top of a big New York City skyscraper. There was a janitor in the apartment that morning, who was cleaning the windows, which was some task since the outer walls of the apartment were entirely made of glass.

#9 Conor Fell To His Death

Conor thought the opened window was closed and ran for it, trying to hide on the inside ledge as he always had. Disaster struck, as Conor plunged 49 stories from his apartment, landing on the roof of an adjacent building. Lory came running as soon as she heard the screams from the nanny and the janitor, and in a panic the called the father to come over before calling the police or rescue.

#10 The Singer Was Left With Nothing But His Music

Just as the family was about to reunite for one final attempt, little Conor was torn from their lives. That father is none other than legendary singer, songwriter, and performer, Eric Clapton. In true Clapton fashion, he dealt with his pain the only way he knew how. He wrote one of the most touching and heartbreaking songs in the history of music.One that has made all of us tear up for different personal reasons over the years.

#11 Tears In Heaven

The couple could have had a happy life together but fate was not kind to them. What remains are beautiful memories likes these. Their story is tragic and shows how transient life can be. For that reason alone, we need to stop and enjoy our loved ones and those who are special in our lives.

Share this moving story behind the hit, "Tears In Heaven".