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2009 UK Tour - October 27, 2008

Eric Clapton has plans to perform in Dublin, Liverpool and Manchester in May 2009 before returning to a venue he has said is "like playing in my front room" - London's Royal Albert Hall.

All U.K. concerts go on sale to the general public on 27 October. Platinum Seats Pre sales begin 23 October for select venues - visit http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk for full details.

All information is subject to change. Concerts are sometimes not listed on official ticket-seller or venue websites until 24 hours before the sale is scheduled to begin. More information can be found at http://www.ecaccess.cc

Source : news.google.co.uk

JJ Cale and Eric Clapton Win Grammy for Road to Escondido - February 11, 2008

Eric Clapton can add another Grammy to his collection. 2006's The Road to Escondido from Eric Clapton and J.J. Cale received a Grammy at last night's award ceremony for Best Contemporary Blues Album (vocal or instrmental). Also noteworhy was guitarist Brad Paisley's win in the Best Country Instrumental Performance category for "Throttleneck," which is from Paisley's 5th Gear album (Paisley also performed "Ticks" during the telecast).

From Tom Watson's Modern Guitars review of The Road to Escondido: Reviews of the J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton album, The Road to Escondido, make me laugh. They read like a botanist walking through a field of flowers - heavy on facts and light on scents. The important context of Escondido isn't the Cale-Clapton music connection unless you're an historian. If you're a sympathetic listener, the important context isn't music at all, it's place.

Source : www.modernguitars.com

Eric Clapton heads north - show announced for Harewood House in June - February 1, 2008

Guitar legend Eric Clapton has announced a special north of England show for this summer, performing in the grounds of Harewood House, near Leeds on Sunday 29th June.

As the only three time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and 18-time Grammy award winning artist, Clapton ranks as one of the most successful touring musicians of all time. His musical journey spans some five decades including stints with such seminal bands as The Yardbirds, Cream, Blind Faith, and Derek and the Dominos, culminating with a hugely successful solo career.

Supporting Clapton with be 'special guest' Robert Randolph & The Family Band.

Source : www.efestivals.co.uk

Clapton and Police play Park gigs - January 29, 2008

Eric Clapton and The Police are to headline this year's Hard Rock Calling festival in London's Hyde Park.

Clapton will lead the first night of the two-day event and will be joined by special guests John Mayer and ex-girlfriend Sheryl Crow.

The Police will top the line-up on the second night, with KT Tunstall and Starsailor also on the bill.

The gigs are on 28-29 June with tickets on sale on 1 February. It is part of Hard Rock's Ambassadors of Rock Tour.

'Amazing'

The concert will mark Clapton's first headlining gig at Hyde Park for more than a decade.

"We are very excited about this year's Hard Rock Calling event as we have two amazing headline acts, following on the tradition from the past two years which saw Roger Waters, The Who, Peter Gabriel and Aerosmith perform," said Toby Leighton-Pope from organisers Live Nation.

Tickets for the gigs cost £50 for the Saturday, £65 for Sunday or £110 for the weekend.

Source : www.bbc.co.uk/news

Slowhand on South Bank Show - October 18, 2007

Eric Clapton is to appear on The South Bank Show, for the first time in twenty years, this December.

Interviewed once again by South Bank Show host Melvyn Bragg, Clapton chats at length about conquering his addiction with alcohol which was at it's peak at the time of their first meeting.

The filmed interview also sees Clapton talk frankly about his family, the death of his son, the intensity of his relationships with other great guitarists and with women, his influences and his most moving songs - and how he has now finally found peace.

The show which airs on ITV1 on December 2, will also include rare and exclusive performance footage

Other highlights on The South Bank Show this Christmas include an interview with Annie Lennox behind the scenes as she prepares for a peace concert. The show airs on December 16.

Source : www.uncut.co.uk

Guitar Heroics Captured On Clapton's 'Crossroads' DVD - October 2, 2007

Eric Clapton's second Crossroads Guitar Festival will be immortalized on DVD Nov. 20 via Rhino, Billboard.com has learned. The double-DVD set features 38 tracks from the July 28, 2007, show outside Chicago, with performances from Clapton, Jeff Beck, Sheryl Crow, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Steve Winwood and Willie Nelson, among many others.

Among the highlights of "Crossroads" are a rare on-stage collaboration between former Blind Faith mates Clapton and Winwood, Clapton dusting off material from Derek and the Dominos plus covering George Harrison's "Isn't It a Pity" and an uncommon live appearance from the Band's Robbie Robertson with Clapton on Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love."

The package wraps with Buddy Guy's "Sweet Home Chicago," featuring guest turns from Clapton, Robert Cray, John Mayer, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmie Vaughan and Johnny Winter.

Clapton is gearing up for the Oct. 9 release of his autobiography, atply titled "Clapton -- The Autobiography," and the two-CD retrospective "Complete Clapton" (Warner Bros.). The artist will appear during release week on NBC's "Today," CNN's "Larry King Live" and NPR's "All Things Considered."

Here is the track list for "Crossroads Guitar Festival 2007":

Source : www.billboard.com

Book Description
The legendary musician who defined rock in the 1960s and continues to astonish and delight a wide spectrum of music lovers tells, for the first time, the story of his personal and professional journeys in this pungent, witty, and painfully honest autobiography.

Synopsis
Eric Clapton is far more than a rock star. Like Dylan and McCartney he is an icon and a living legend. He has sold tens of millions of records, played sell-out concerts all over the world and been central to the significant musical developments of his era. His guitar playing has seen him hailed as 'God'. Tracks such as 'Layla', 'Sunshine Of Your Love', 'Wonderful Tonight' and 'Tears In Heaven' have become anthems for generations of music fans. Now for the first time, Eric tells the story of his personal and professional journeys in this pungent, witty and painfully honest autobiography. But the rock star lifestyle has had a darker side too. In more than forty years at the forefront of his profession he has twice survived near fatal addictions to drugs and alcohol, the death of his own young son, the deaths of friends such as Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon, the break-up of marriage and the disintegration of relationships with a succession of beautiful women. Eric was born an illegitimate child to a Canadian airman in 1945 and raised by his grandparents. Until the age of 9 he believed his absentee mother to be his sister. When the truth was revealed he felt a sense of abandonment and i

From the Inside Flap
Eric Clapton is far more than a rock star. Like Dylan and McCartney he is an icon and a living legend. He has sold tens of millions of records, played sell-out concerts all over the world and been central to every significant musical development of his era. His guitar playing has seen him hailed as ‘God’. Tracks such as ‘Layla’, ‘Sunshine of Your Love’, ‘Wonderful Tonight’ and ‘Tears in Heaven’ have become anthems for generations of music fans. Now for the first time, Eric tells the story of his personal and professional journeys in this pungent, witty and painfully honest autobiography.

Eric was born illegitimate in 1945 and raised by his grandparents. He never knew his father and until the age of nine believed his absentee mother to be his sister. In his teens his solace was the guitar and he soon became a cult hero in the club circuits of Britain. With the foundation of the world’s first super group Cream in 1996 he became a world superstar.

But the rockcstar lifestyle has had a darker side. In more than forty years at the forefront of his profession he has twice survived near fatal addictions to drugs and alcohol, the deaths of close friends such as Jimi Hendrix and John Lennon, the death of his four-year-old son, the break-up of marriage and the disintegration of countless relationships with a succession of beautiful women.

These are the memoirs of a survivor, someone who has reached the pinnacle of success, who has had it all, but whose demons have never left him. .At the age of 60 Eric is cured of alcoholism and is in a long term relationship with three young daughters. He is now ready to tell his story as it is, hiding nothing, with a directness and searing honesty that will make this book one of the most compelling memoirs of our time.

About the Author
Eric Clapton was born in 1945. At the age of eighteen, he joined the Yardbirds and in 1966, he formed Cream with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce. Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominos followed before Eric embarked on his solo career which has spanned three decades to date. He has produced dozens of bestselling albums selling tens of millions of copies. He is married with three daughters and lives with his family in Surrey.

Complete Clapton
IN STORES 9TH OCTOBER 2007

Clapton's Daughter Launches Solo Career - November 16, 2006

Legendary guitarist ERIC CLAPTON's daughter RUTH is launching a solo singing career. The 21-year-old is the result of a brief relationship Clapton had with her mother YVONNE KELLY while he recorded on the Caribbean island of Montserrat in the 1980s. Ruth has already supported her father, providing backing vocals for him at concerts at New York's Madison Square Garden, and is now setting off alone. Her first gig is at a nightclub in Doncaster, England. She says, "I've sung backing vocals at a few of my dad's gigs, but this is a bit different. For a start I'll be doing my own songs, so I'll be putting myself out there really, and that would scare anyone. "In Doncaster, I'll be able to see everyone's face in the audience."

Source : www.contactmusic.com

The Road To Esondido Available Nov. 7th 2006 - September 21, 2006

After years of admiring each other’s musical masterworks and Clapton covers of Cale songs such as “After Midnight” and “Cocaine,” guitar greats J.J. Cale and Eric Clapton have teamed up for the first time to create an original album together, The Road To Escondido. The 14-track CD was produced and recorded by the duo in August 2005 in California. The resulting music defies being labeled into any one category, but instead finds influence across the spectrum of blues, rock, country and folk. A hybrid sound that is unique musically, while still bearing the signature styles of Cale and Clapton recognized by fans around the world. The songs are warm and rich, with deep flowing rhythms, yet use an economy of words to express much.

In a true collaboration, Cale and Clapton jointly produced and recorded the album, each playing and singing on the tracks. Cale wrote 11 of the songs, Clapton wrote “Three Little Girls,” John Mayer wrote “Hard To Thrill” and the duo cover the blues classic “Sporting Life Blues.” J.J. Cale’s touring band accompanies them on the album as well as guest musicians including, Taj Mahal, John Mayer, Derek Trucks, Doyle Bramhall II, Albert Lee, Nathan East, Willie Weeks and Steve Jordan. Particularly special is the involvement of Billy Preston, who donated his classic keyboard talents throughout the album. The album is dedicated to Preston and Clapton’s late friend Brian Roylance.

"Eric and I have known each other for a long time and it was a great experience to finally make a record together – he’s a great musician and it was a pleasure to work so closely on this project with him,” said J.J. Cale.

"This was the realization of what may have been my last ambition, to work with the man whose music has inspired me for as long as I can remember, there are not enough words for me to describe what he represents to me, musically and personally, and anyway I wouldn't want to embarrass him by going overboard, for he is a truly humble man.....I think it's enough to say that we had fun, made a great record, and I for one already want to make another,” said Eric Clapton.
Clapton has often said that he has tried to achieve the J.J. Cale sound and has credited Cale with singular influence over his style as a solo artist. Mojo Magazine asked Clapton in 2000 which other musician he would most like to be, his response was quick: “I don't model myself on him but I like J.J. Cale, his philosophy, writing skills, musicianship. He's a fine, superior musician, one of the masters of the last three decades of music."

J.J. Cale is known for being reclusive. He lets his music speak for itself and by his own choice has not become famous in the conventional terms of the word. Instead, preferring to shun the spotlight for a more simple existence based on his musical creations. Ironically, doing just that, and focusing on his music, has turned him into a guitar legend over the past four decades. The depth of his influence can be felt in artists such as Clapton and Mark Knopfler, but the sheer breadth of his appeal is made clear by the diverse group of artists who have covered his songs from Johnny Cash, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Allman Brothers to Bryan Ferry, Deep Purple, Santana and more recently jam bands like Widespread Panic.

Cale grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and cites Chet Atkins, Les Paul and Chuck Berry as some of his earliest influences. He is often quoted as saying, “In trying to imitate them, I missed it. And I came up with my own kinda thing.” And so, Cale began playing the local Tulsa club scene in the early 1950’s surrounded by other natives such as David Gates (Bread) and Leon Russell. After moving to Los Angeles in the mid-60’s, he recorded the song “After Midnight.”

Already an accomplished guitarist with bands such as the Yardbirds, Cream and Blind Faith, Clapton ventured to a solo career with the release of his 1970 self-titled Eric Clapton album. Mutual friend Delaney Bramlett had given Clapton a copy of Cale’s song “After Midnight.” Clapton decided to cover the song and it was the first single from the album. The song became a chart-topping success. Clapton was quick to offer praise for Cale’s work while promoting the album. Cale had been told of the cover but has said that he didn’t pay much attention until the song came on the radio in Tulsa.

Years later, in April 1976, Cale was performing at London’s Hammersmith Odeon in support of his Troubadour album release. Clapton sat in on the performance and later during that trip surprised Cale in the studio with a version of “Cocaine” that would appear on his 1977 Slowhand release. Again becoming a chart-topping success.

In the years to follow, the two would occasionally cross paths, but would largely carry on with their respective musical careers. Until 2004 when Clapton was organizing a Dallas-based guitar festival called Crossroads. The 3-day festival featured the world’s most elite guitarists. Clapton invited Cale to perform at the festival and Cale agreed to attend. In turn, Cale invited Clapton on-stage for the set and Clapton gladly joined, unannounced, for the entire set as a member of Cale’s band. The set was a highlight of the performances from the festival.

Crossroads gave Clapton an opportunity to ask Cale to consider producing an upcoming album for him. If Clapton had been seeking to replicate the trademark Cale sound, having him as producer on an album would surely achieve that unique musical quality. As the two worked on the project, creative ideas took flight and they decided to take the project further formulating a true co-produced album. The Road To Escondido marks the first full-length album the two have created together.

Cale’s entire 40-plus year career has produced only 13 albums. But most critics agree that each effort is well worth the wait. Lauded by his peers and completely unfazed by musical fads, J.J. Cale is an American icon, a craftsman like no other.

Clapton’s career, also spanning more than 40 years, has resulted in 18 Grammy Awards and the distinct honor of being the only triple inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Source : www.ecaccess.cc

Eric Clapton's Russian Gig Cancelled - July 30, 2006

Rock star Eric Clapton has been forced to cancel a planned gig in Moscow's Red Square, after Russian authorities refused to grant him a permit.

The Wonderful Tonight singer had been possession of an official permit allowing him to perform at the famous venue next Thursday, but in a shock decision officials decided to withdraw it on Friday.

The musician's publicist Kristen Foster says, "Eric Clapton is extremely sorry to disappoint his Russian fans but the circumstances if the cancellation are beyond his control.".

Source : www.starpulse.com

Clapton Headlines Pro-Hunt Concert - April 30, 2006

ERIC CLAPTON has agreed to headline a controversial seven-hour concert supporting the Countryside Alliance in its fight to lift the ban on fox hunting in the UK.

The Tears In Heaven hit-maker, who is a keen game shooter, will join fellow rockers BRYAN FERRY, PINK FLOYD's ROGER WATERS and NICK MASON, ROGER DALTREY of THE WHO and GENESIS guitarist MIKE RUTHERFORD at the gig at Highclere Castle in Berkshire this summer (06).
Clapton's spokesperson confirmed last night (29APR06), "Eric supports the Countryside Alliance. He doesn't hunt himself, but does enjoy rural pursuits such as fishing and shooting.

"He supports the Alliance's pursuit to scrap the ban on the basis that he doesn't agree with the state's interference with people's private pursuits. "The ban on fox hunting was imposed by the British government in February (06), and the concert is expected to face opposition from animal rights activists. (AS/WNSMA/SC).

Source : www.pr-inside.com

Cream plan reunion shows - February 15, 2006

Legendary rock trio Cream, which reunited last year for a handful of concerts in London and New York after a bitter break-up in 1968, has scheduled more shows, bassist and singer Jack Bruce said.

But don't expect a world tour. Rather, Bruce told Reuters that he, guitarist Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker will set up camp in select cities for multiple dates, just as they did last year.

"What we feel is that it's so special, and also so emotionally draining that it's not something we could do every day," he said. "We will play more, but where and when I'm not at liberty to say."

He declined to say when an official announcement might be made, joking that he would "get chopped" if he said anything.

Bruce, 62, was speaking hours before Cream was due to receive a lifetime achievement Grammy during a ceremony also honouring rocker David Bowie, country singer Merle Haggard, opera diva Jessye Norman, folk group the Weavers, late bluesman Robert Johnson and recently deceased comedian Richard Pryor.

Bruce, flying in from his farm in Britain, was set to be the group's sole representative. He said Clapton, 60, had other commitments, while it was impractical for Baker, 66, to leave his farm in South Africa.

All three did show up in Los Angeles 13 years ago when Cream was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, burying their differences long enough to play three songs, including their hit Sunshine of Your Love, for a black-tie crowd.

Then they went their separate ways until last year, when they reunited for four lucrative shows at London's Royal Albert Hall, the scene of their farewell concert on November 26, 1968, and then three at New York's Madison Square Garden.

In its first iteration, the band lasted a little over two years, brewing a potent mix of blues and psychedelia that paved the way for hard rock. But Baker and Bruce fought bitterly, leaving Clapton to play the thankless role of peacemaker.

Cream cultivated the tensions, churning out four albums, and rock-radio staples such as Sunshine of Your Love and White Room.

But the group's demise was inevitable.

Bruce said he is less explosive in his old age, and the band knows better how to handle problems, but there remains an underlying, brotherly tension with Baker.

On the other hand, he described Clapton as "the most beautiful, kindest, most understanding guy that I've come across.".

Source : smh.com.au

"Back Home" wins a Grammy - February 10, 2006

At the 48th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on 8 February 2006, Clapton's most recent studio album, "Back Home" was awarded a Grammy for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical. The album's engineers are Alan Douglas and Mick Guzauski.

Source : grammy.com / whereseric.com

David Bowie and Eric Clapton to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at Grammys - January 11, 2006

Rock legends David Bowie and the Eric Clapton-fronted Cream are to be honoured for their contributions to music with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys next month (FEB06).

Bowie and the proto-heavy metal trio will be formally recognised on 7 February (06), while the award is due to be presented the following evening during the live Grammy telecast.

The rockers will share their accolade with country icon Merle Haggard and late comedy innovator Richard Pryor, as well as deceased blues legend Robert Johnson, opera vocalist Jessye Norman and pre-eminent folk quartet the Weavers.

Mariah Carey, Kanye West and newcomer John Legend lead the nominations at the 2006 Grammys with eight apiece.

Source : starpulse.com