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Eric Clapton Reveals Five-Date 2023 North American Tour

by Tina Benitez-Eves March 27, 2023, 11:12 am

• Eric Clapton
• The Yardbirds
• Van Morrison

Days before his 78th birthday on March 30, Eric Clapton has revealed a five-date tour. He says the shows will be his only dates in North America in 2023.

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Featuring special guest Jimmie Vaughan, Clapton’s short run of shows is set to kick off on September 8 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Additional stops will be made in Ontario, Canada; Missouri, and Minnesota before wrapping up in Denver, Colorado, on September 16.

Clapton’s current band joining him on tour features Sonny Emory, Chris Stainton, Doyle Bramhall II, Paul Carrack, and Nathan East, with backing vocalists Katie Kissoon and Sharon White.

In 2022, Clapton released his 21st album, and first-holiday release, Happy Xmas . He also dropped a number of singles since the pandemic, including his most recent, “ Pompous Fool ,” which he said was inspired by former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s retirement announcement.

Clapton, who has been outspoken against the Covid vaccine and the policies surrounding the pandemic lockdown, and Van Morrison collaborated on another anti-lockdown song “Stand & Deliver” in the midst of the pandemic in 2020. By 2021, Clapton also released the song “ This Has Gotta Stop ,” which was followed by “ Heart of a Child ,” a song he co-wrote with vaccine skeptic Robin Monotti.

NEW SHOW DATES ANNOUNCED! 9/8/23 – Pittsburgh, PA 9/10/23 – Toronto, ON 9/12/23 – St. Louis, MO 9/14/23 – St. Paul, MN 9/16/23 – Denver, CO Tickets go on sale this Friday, 3/31 at 10am local pic.twitter.com/Lf9ybYIM4n — Eric Clapton (@EricClapton) March 27, 2023

The guitarist said that he suffered severe reactions to the AstraZeneca vaccine, which left his hands and feet numb for weeks, making him question whether he would ever be able to play guitar again.

On his previous tour in 2022, Clapton tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after his second concert at Royal Albert Hall in London and was forced to cancel several dates on his European Tour.

In April, Clapton will also perform six nights at Budokan in Tokyo, followed by two Jeff Beck   tribute concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London on May 22 and 23. The tribute show will also feature guests including Johnny Depp, Rod Stewart, Billy Gibbons , and Gary Clark Jr., among others.

Clapton, who was replaced by Beck in The Yardbirds in 1965, paid tribute to Beck in the wake of his death, posting a photo of the late guitarist with the caption “Always and ever.” 

A percentage of the proceeds from the two concerts will be donated to Folly Wildlife Rescue located in Tunbridge Wells in Kent, England.

Eric Clapton North American Tour 2023 Sept. 8 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena Sept. 10 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena Sept. 12 – St. Louis, MO @ Enterprise Center Sept. 14 – St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center Sept. 16 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena

Photo: Frank Hoensch/Redferns

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Eric Clapton Announces 2021 American Tour Dates

By Andy Greene

Andy Greene

Eric Clapton is returning to the road in September for an eight-city run of North American shows. It kicks off September 13th at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, and wraps up September 26th at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida. According to a press release, these will be his only North American dates for the year. Tickets go on sale this Friday on Ticketmaster.com, and will also be available on Vivid Seats .

His band will include guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, organist Paul Carrack, bassist Nathan East, drummers Sonny Emory and Steve Gadd, keyboardist Chris Stainton , and backup singers Sharon White and Katie Kissoon. Jimmie Vaughan will serve as the opening act.

Clapton has not performed in public since the start of the pandemic. But he did stir up quite a bit of controversy by collaborating with Van Morrison on his anti-lockdown song “Stand and Deliver.” “Do you want to be a free man,” he sang on the widely panned song. “Or do you want to be a slave?”

Clapton caused an even greater uproar in May when he released a public letter blaming the AstraZeneca vaccine for severe numbness in his hands in the days that made him fear he’d never be able to play guitar again. “I continue to tread the path of passive rebellion and try to toe the line in order to be able to actively love my family,” he wrote, “but it’s hard to bite my tongue with what I now know.”

As many doctors and medical experts pointed out, it’s impossible to say whether or not the vaccine caused his symptoms, and Clapton said he was suffering from peripheral neuropathy before he even received the shot.

Eric Clapton 2021 North American Tour Dates

September 13th – Fort Worth, TX @ Dickies Arena September 15th – Austin, TX @ Frank Erwin Center September 17th – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center September 18th – New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center September 21st – Nashville, TN @ Bridgestone Arena September 23rd – Atlanta, GA @ Gas South Arena September 25th – Tampa, FL @ Amalie Arena September 26th – Hollywood, FL @ Seminole Hard Rock

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Eric Clapton Kicks Off 2023 Tour with Tribute to Robbie Robertson

via Paolo Giorgio / YouTube

Eric Clapton, the iconic guitar virtuoso, kicked off his highly anticipated 2023 U.S. tour with a heartfelt tribute to Robbie Robertson, a legendary figure in the world of rock music. Clapton’s opening performance at Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena featured two iconic songs by The Band, a group closely associated with Robertson’s musical genius.

A Musical Salute

Clapton’s tour debut began with a rendition of “The Shape I’m In,” a track from The Band’s 1970 album, “Stage Fright.” This was swiftly followed by another classic, “It Makes No Difference,” from The Band’s 1975 album, “Northern Lights – Southern Cross.” Following these soulful performances, Clapton delivered a simple yet profound statement: “Robbie Robertson.”

Remembering Robbie Robertson

Robbie Robertson, celebrated as both a guitarist and the primary songwriter for The Band, passed away in August at the age of 80 after battling an undisclosed illness. His contributions to the world of music have left an indelible mark on countless artists, including Eric Clapton.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Guitar Center (@guitarcenter)

Clapton’s admiration for Robertson and The Band’s influence on his musical journey is a well-documented part of rock history. During his induction speech for The Band into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, Clapton shared the profound impact they had on his career. In a revealing moment, he recalled a pivotal juncture when Cream, the band he was part of, was on the verge of breaking up. Clapton contemplated joining forces with Robertson and The Band, a decision that could have altered the course of rock music.

“I went and told Jack [Bruce] and Ginger [Baker] that I couldn’t go on anymore, there was something else happening… I really sort of went there to ask if I could join the Band, only I didn’t have the guts to say it, I didn’t have the nerve. I just sort of sat there and watched these guys work… From that day, I spent the rest of my career, until ‘The Last Waltz’ anyway, trying to imitate what they had.”

A Musical Connection

Eric Clapton’s tribute to Robbie Robertson and The Band serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring impact of their music. The connection between these iconic musicians continues to resonate with audiences, highlighting the profound influence that rock legends like Robertson have had on shaping the sound of a generation.

Watch the tribute performance below:

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The series of five concerts will be Clapton’s only North American shows in 2023.

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Eric Clapton is set to hit the road later this year for his 2023 North American tour featuring special guest Jimmy Vaughan.

• READ MORE: U2’s The Edge hopes they can be “the vanguard” of the guitar resurgence 

Clapton will kick off his tour this 8 September in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with shows in Toronto, Canada, St. Louis, Missouri, St. Paul, Minnesota and Denver, Colorado lined up. The series of five concerts will be Clapton’s only North American shows in 2023, according to a press release shared with Ultimate Classic Rock .

Tickets are set to go on sale this 31 March, with more information available on Clapton’s website .

NEW SHOW DATES ANNOUNCED! 9/8/23 – Pittsburgh, PA 9/10/23 – Toronto, ON 9/12/23 – St. Louis, MO 9/14/23 – St. Paul, MN 9/16/23 – Denver, CO Tickets go on sale this Friday, 3/31 at 10am local pic.twitter.com/Lf9ybYIM4n — Eric Clapton (@EricClapton) March 27, 2023

Clapton is set to kick off a run of shows in Japan and the UK prior to his North American tour. Following a six-night stint at the famed Budokan indoor arena in Tokyo starting 15 April, Clapton will play two shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 22 and 23 May as part of a tribute concert to the late Jeff Beck .

The Jeff Beck tribute concerts are set to feature Rod Stewart, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons, and Johnny Depp among others, with proceeds from the concerts going to the Folly Wildlife Rescue based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

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Iconic guitarist Eric Clapton seems to have created a new annual tradition for himself.

After playing just seven concerts last fall, the 78-year-old announced he’ll conduct a short tour once again this September .

From Sept. 8-16, the man who brought the world “Layla,” “Sunshine Of Your Love” and “Wonderful Tonight” will play five concerts in Pittsburgh , Toronto , St. Louis , Saint Paul and Denver along with special guest Jimmie Vaughan.

At each show, Clapton will alternate between sections where he plays with a full band, followed by an acoustic solo set and then, he’ll close the night with a full band.

And if you need tickets to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee live today, you can pick them up now .

Although inventory isn’t available on Ticketmaster until Friday, March 31, fans who want to ensure they have tickets ahead of time can purchase on sites like Vivid Seats before tickets are officially on sale.

Vivid Seats is a secondary market ticketing platform, and prices may be higher or lower than face value, depending on demand.

They have a 100% buyer guarantee that states your transaction will be safe and secure and will be delivered before the event.

Eric Clapton 2023 tour schedule

A complete calendar including all tour dates, venues and links to buy tickets can be found below.

Eric Clapton special guest

Jimmie Vaughan is a guitar legend in his own right as well.

Originally from Austin, TX, Vaughan is known for operatic blues rock that he’s been playing since the late ’60s when his band opened for Jimi Hendrix.

In the seven decades since, he’s released 18 albums with The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Vaughan Brothers (with the late Stevie Ray Vaughan) and as a solo artist.

You can hear his back catalog here .

Eric Clapton set list

Based on last year’s short tour, here’s what fans can likely expect ol’ Slowhand to play when he comes to a city near you.

01.) “Tearing Us Apart” 02.) “Key to the Highway” (Charles Segar cover) 03.) “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man” (Willie Dixon cover) 04.) “River of Tears” 05.) “I Shot the Sheriff” (The Wailers cover)

06.) “Country Boy” (Muddy Waters cover) 07.) “After Midnight” (J.J. Cale cover) 08.) “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” (Jimmy Cox cover) 09.) “Layla” 10.) “Tears in Heaven”

11.) “Badge”

12.) “Wonderful Tonight” 13.) “Cross Road Blues” (Robert Johnson cover) 14.) “The Sky Is Crying” (Elmore James cover) 15.) “Cocaine” (J.J. Cale cover) Encore:

16.) “High Time We Went” (Joe Cocker cover)

The songs listed above are courtesy of Set List FM .

Eric Clapton band members

Although we’re not entirely sure who will be joining Clapton on the road this year, here’s who he played with last year according to Where’s Eric :

Nathan East – bass / vocals Sonny Emory – drums Doyle Bramhall – guitar / vocals Chris Stainton – keyboards Paul Carrack – organ / keyboards / vocals Katie Kissoon – vocals Sharon White – vocals

Classic rockers on tour in 2023

Rock and roll never dies.

Need proof?

Check out just five of the stars in their 70s and 80s on the road this year.

•  Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band

•  Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band

•  Dead and Company with John Mayer

•  Billy Joel with Stevie Nicks

• Robert Plant with Alison Krauss

There’s still more. You can find them in our list of the 22 biggest classic rockers on tour in 2023 here .

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Eric Clapton tour dates 2024

Eric Clapton is currently touring across 2 countries and has 11 upcoming concerts.

Their next tour date is at Utilita Arena Newcastle in Newcastle Upon Tyne, after that they'll be at M&s Bank Arena in Liverpool.

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Upcoming concerts (11) See nearest concert

Utilita Arena Newcastle

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Recent tour reviews

Eric Clapton was awesome! My wife and I are big concert goers and this was one of the best we have seen. His voice is spot on, and he is the best slow guitarist of all times and you can feel the emotion it in his music. We would pay to see him again.

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EC is fantastic, especially live. I’ve followed him for 50 years & seen him so many times that I’ve probably paid for one of his Ferraris or at least the 4 wheels & several Armani suits! At £200 a ticket, plus travel to London & the cost of accommodation, I decided I couldn’t afford or justify the outlay this time. I’m sad that only wealthy people can afford the prices & the less well off lose out. Hope everyone had a great time, the set list was amazing!

I was raised on the songs of Eric Clapton as he is my Dad's favorite musician. The first real song (not a children's song) that I knew all the words to was Wonderful. I knew it forwards and backwards by age 2. My favorite song at age 6 was a toss up between PROMISES and LAY DOWN SALLY.

In Sept 2017 I surprised my Dad and took him to see Eric play at MSG. The show was just a couple weeks from both of our birthdays. I never thought I'd get to see him play live and I'm so grateful that I did. Watching Eric Clapton play was the greatest birthday gift I could think of. He is so natural and calm that it seems he's not even trying. Like the guitar is part of his body. If I could re-live that night, I would. Probably a couple times a month. At the end of the concert, my Dad and I hugged as we literally wiped tears of joys from our eyes. It was a magical night of music and we were so fortunate to be able to enjoy it together. Clapton is truly a master and I will see him again, every chance I have, no matter the cost.

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Eric Clapton

Guitar legend Eric Clapton has announced a limited series of concert dates across North America in September 2023. Clapton’s first Twin Cities concert in 14 years is scheduled for September 14 at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul. Special guest will be Jimmie Vaughan . Eric Clapton’s band for these shows will include Doyle Bramhall II, Paul Carrack, Nathan East, Sonny Emory, and Chris Stainton with Sharon White and Katie Kissoon on backing vocals.

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Dine before the show at  Flynt & Kyndle , where an inviting atmosphere meets socially-inspired gourmet food and crafted cocktails. This seated VIP dining experience will delight you and your guests. The three-course meal is served tableside and includes an appetizer, crafted salads, and a selection of rotisserie meats and sides for sharing. Beverages and tax not included.  Make a reservation .

The Reserve , our upscale lounge on the Bremer Bank Suite Level, boasts an eclectic, chef-driven menu and an array of cocktail options. This lounge is open to all guests with suite level tickets or reservations.  Make a reservation .

The  Michelob Golden Light Taphouse  is   located at section 120 (gate 4) and opens at 6:30 p.m. The sports-themed restaurant features signature specialty wings, sandwiches and sharables, plus a full service bar.

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Ultimate Classic Rock

How Eric Clapton Opened His Heart and Made a Masterpiece

Posted: November 9, 2023 | Last updated: November 9, 2023

Eric Clapton ‘s best album wasn’t credited to him, and he wasn’t even in a real band. In a long career that stretches from the Yardbirds and a series of short-lived supergroups through solo albums and collaborations with some of the blues heroes who influenced him, the guitarist made his best work on a one-off record that pretty much amounted to a jam session among friends.

Derek and the Dominos were formed by Clapton and keyboardist Bobby Whitlock, both of whom recently got off the road with Delaney & Bonnie and Friends. Following the crash and burn of Cream and Blind Faith , and the release of his first solo album, Clapton retreated from the spotlight, filling the guitarist gig on his pals’ tour. The group’s rotating membership also included drummer Jim Gordon and bassist Carl Radle, the rhythm section that would shape Derek and the Dominos’ core quartet.

From the start, the concept behind Derek and the Dominos was a figurative mask for Clapton to wear. All he wanted to do was play guitar, maybe sing a little and just be part of a band. No egos. No clashes. No spotlights were turned on just one person. But something else powered those sessions that even Clapton probably hadn’t anticipated.

Sometime in 1969, he had fallen deeply in love with Pattie Boyd, who happened to be married to one of his closest friends, George Harrison . And he fought his feelings in two ways: with heroin and by writing songs about his infatuation. The best of them, “Layla,” would become the sprawling centerpiece of Derek and the Dominos’ only studio album, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs .

Still, the project’s ace in the hole wasn’t even there at the start. Guitarist Duane Allman was recording the Allman Brothers Band ‘s second album at the same studio (Miami’s Criteria) and with the same producer (Tom Dowd) that Derek and the Dominos were using. One thing led to another, and soon the young guitarist was invited by Clapton to jump on board, and Allman ended up playing on 11 of Layla ‘s 14 songs, including the title track’s celebrated weeping slide solo.

The sessions ran from late August through early October 1970. Clapton and Whitlock wrote nine of the songs, either separately, together or with other songwriters. The remaining tracks included covers of cuts as vintage as Chuck Willis’ ’50s R&B lament “It’s Too Late” and as recent as Jimi Hendrix ‘s “Little Wing.”

Listen to Derek and the Dominos’ ‘Layla’

Through it all, Clapton poured out his heart. The album’s best songs – “Bell Bottom Blues,” “Nobody Loves You When You’re Down and Out,” “Why Does Love Got to Be So Sad,” “Have You Ever Loved a Woman” and “Layla” – tell the story of a despairing man at the end of his rope. Clapton never sang with such soul, pain and urgency before or after. In a way, Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is a concept album about unrequited passion. Other factors helped pull such a performance from him, but there’s no denying the effect his love for Boyd had on the sessions. There’s real hurt and confusion here. Few albums in rock history bear the scars that this one does.

Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs is Clapton’s masterpiece, even though it wasn’t recognized as such at the time. The album stalled at No. 16 in the U.S. and didn’t chart at all in Clapton’s native U.K. Part of the problem had to do with some confusion as to just who Derek and the Dominos were. Clapton had integrated himself so perfectly into the group situation he desired that he practically buried any real chance for the record’s commercial success. In 1972, “Layla” was reissued as a single – its first attempt stopped short of the Top 50 – and made it to the Top 10. In the years since its release, the LP’s legend has grown, but back on Nov. 9, 1970, when it was released, it was casually dismissed as just another Clapton side group.

Clapton, Whitlock, Gordon and Radle toured the U.S. for a few weeks at the end of 1970; Allman joined them onstage for three shows. (They later pulled together a live record from the run.) Plans were set to record another Derek and the Dominos album in 1971, but the band got so wrapped up in drugs, booze and – once again – egos, that Clapton called it quits.

He went home and lost himself in a heroin addiction that took him years to shake. He made one public appearance in 1971, at Harrison’s Concert for Bangladesh , where he passed out onstage. It would be another two years before he started to get clean and began work on his second solo album, 1974’s triumphant 461 Ocean Boulevard .

He finally got Layla too, hooking up with Boyd in 1974 and eventually marrying her five years later. Radle played with Clapton until he died in 1980 . Whitlock wouldn’t perform with Clapton again until 2003. Gordon had a breakdown in 1983 and murdered his mom (he’s currently in a mental facility). And Allman died in a motorcycle accident in 1971.

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Three lucky audiences on Eric Clapton’s 1974 tour saw him joined on stage by half of The Who.

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Eric Clapton was a busy man in the summer of 1974. In the US touring his new 461 Ocean Boulevard album since mid-June, the schedule took him on August 1 to Atlanta, and a gig at the Omni Coliseum that became widely celebrated and much-bootlegged among Slowhand aficionados.

That was partly because of what happened on stage that night. 24 hours later in Greensboro, North Carolina, it happened again, and another two nights down road in West Palm Beach: Clapton was joined on stage by Pete Townshend and Keith Moon.

Clapton plays Cream

Clapton’s band featured George Terry as second guitarist, his Derek and the Dominos colleague Carl Radle on bass, Dick Sims on keyboards, Jamie Oldaker on drums, and the backing vocals of Yvonne Elliman. Starting the set with “Smile,” Clapton featured such songs as “Let It Grow,” “Willie and the Hand Jive,” and the Cream favorite “Badge.”

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But as the Atlanta show came to a conclusion, who should appear from the wings but half of The Who . Townshend jammed with Clapton on “Layla” and Moon sang along with Chuck Berry ’s “Little Queenie,” performed in a medley with “Baby Don’t You Do It.” Pete then proceeded to smash a plastic ukulele over Eric’s head.

Listen to uDiscover Music’s Eric Clapton Best Of playlist.

The following night in Greensboro (ticket price: $7.50), Townshend appeared earlier in the set for “Hand Jive” and “Get Ready,” returning with Moon for an encore that included “Little Queenie” as well as “Layla” and “Badge.” The Clapton, Townshend & Moon combination would happen once more, on August 4, when the tour headed into a break of several weeks with a gig at the West Palm Beach International Raceway. Townshend, Moon, and even Joe Walsh were on hand to join in the festivities, including a version of The Who’s ”Can’t Explain.”

None of those shows have been officially released, but we can give you a taste above of Eric’s 1974 tour as it sounded at his Long Beach Arena show about two weeks before that Atlanta escapade.

Buy or stream Eric Clapton live in 1974 and 1975 on E.C. Was Here.

21 Comments

August 1, 2014 at 9:33 pm

I was at that concert in Atlanta backstage,and on stage…I had been in the dressing room showing Eric and Carl Radle Alembic guitars from my friend Melvin Cohen’s store,Reliable Music. . Some details..They showed up 1/2 way thru the show in a big limousine…Keith Moon was totally drunk..(and whatever). Pete was chugging Jack Daniels right out of the bottle..and smoking a cigar….Clapton was kinda shocked to see their condition….Keith Moon wanted to try and play…he got behind the drum set,but proceeded to fall over and knock down half the drums…they escorted him off,and Jamie Oldecker got back on the drums ….But later, he actually fell 10 feet off the back of the stage onto the concrete floor…got up…brushed off…no damage ! One tough guy ! We sold an Alembic bass to Carl Radle,but Clapton did not like the Alembic guitar…great to meet him anyway..I also played Clapton’s “Blackie”Strat backstage..he had a female guitar tech..We also made it to Greensborop the next night…not as exciting..but great show too.. (where can you get that bootleg audio ? )

Rusty Barkley

August 1, 2014 at 11:18 pm

I was at the show in Greensboro, Poco opened. I’m not sure about the dates,I was under the impression it was Clapton’s 29th birthday. Who knows?

December 6, 2014 at 5:31 pm

I have seen that Alembic bass II sold Carl. It is now owned by a guitar collector in Arkansas.

I’m envious that you got to meet and spend time with these gents. I had the opportunity to be one friends with Dick Sims before he passed and I’ve also become friends with Jamie. Great stories they both have told me.

Thanks for the post !

mike navalinski

December 7, 2014 at 8:10 pm

June 10, 2015 at 9:28 am

I was at the Fl. concert. Mudfest as I remember. Strangely, I don’t remember Townsend. Joe Walsh opened and played a full set, and I do remember Keith Moon running around with a tambourine.Clapton was doing his farmer thing with overalls on.Good show.

Dan Hiveley

January 13, 2016 at 4:53 pm

I was at the Palm Beach International raceway show August 4 1974. I took a bus there from Tampa watching it rain all the way there. The 15 mile road that led to the raceway was jammed with cars parked off to the side of the road. A complete mess. The rain had turned the dirt track into a sea of mud that we all stood up to our shins in for the whole evening. The show was suppose to start at 4pm. but didn’t get going till 8. The opening act was Ross which I remember being great but never heard of again. Joe Walsh did a great Barnstorm era set starting around 10pm. Clapton didn’t hit the stage till midnight and played most if not all his 461 album as well as a bunch of Derrick and the Dominoes stuff. For the encore Townsend and Moon from the WHO came out and played Layla. One of the greatest shows I’ve ever been to. Being 17 years old at the time I feel blessed to have withstood and witnessed this great part of Rock history.

November 22, 2020 at 12:21 am

You’re not allowed to leave the ‘h’ out of TOWNSHEND.

March 31, 2016 at 10:13 pm

The reason you don’t remember Townsend is because he wasn’t there in West Palm. Clapton opened with I can’t explain Moonie doing the falsetto bits . You’re absolutely right about the mud and the traffic. The cops deliberately created the traffic jams . Crazy. What a great show. EC closed the show with Smile . I’ll never forget it. What a treat. Worth the slog through the mud

No, MuddyFan, TOWNSHEND, and you know it.

August 1, 2016 at 5:05 pm

As I recall, in Greensboro, Moon came out pre-show and did some air guitar during Pinball Wizard being played on the PA – Townsend came out later – easy to spot in his “Who Came First” attire – white Esso jumpsuit.

Robert Frazer

August 1, 2016 at 7:34 pm

Actually Townsend WAS at the West Palm show. I know because I was a stage hand on that show sitting in the wings SL. The wind blew the Handley roof into the SL PA stack and they had to reconfigure the PA with what they had left. Moon came out initially with a white wedding dress on and they chased him around the stage and ripped it off. Townsend came out for Layla at the end, and they both chased a huge frog around the stage. The mosquitoes were as big as hummingbirds because this place was out in a swamp. Fun gig.

November 22, 2020 at 12:20 am

There is no Townsend, only TOWNSHEND! C ya!

August 3, 2016 at 11:39 pm

I attended the West Palm Beach “mudfest” as well. Mahogany Rush opened, followed by Walsh who was ttouring behind “The Smoker You Get………..” LP. Pete Townsend was on stage for the “Layla” encore. I’m not certain about Moon. Wasn’t Keith Relf on stage for “Layla”?

Larry Ridge

August 5, 2016 at 6:35 pm

I was on the stage for the Palm Beach concert I can affirm that Keith Moon was on stage in a wedding dress. 100% they closed with Layla, which Clapton always did at the time. The fence at the bottom the hill the stage was perched on came down when Layla started. Mudfest and traffic jame for sure for sure! The reason I was backstage was because I broke my wrist jumpin a fence so I didn’t have to slog thru the mud at the gate. he medical people took me backstage and I never left. I seem to remember a lot of bands being there that day, but the names escape me and I lost all my ticket stubs.

Alan L. Burge

August 1, 2017 at 7:38 pm

My wife and I were at the Atlanta show and Zan described it perfectly. I still have a copy of the next-day’s newspaper article about it.

Chuck Shepherd

August 2, 2017 at 9:49 am

Saw this show in Greensboro Friday August 2nd 1974,festival seating for $7.00. My first Clapton concert.

August 2, 2017 at 11:21 pm

Some great stories here. I first saw Eric one year later in 1975 at The Fabulous Forum and Keith Moon was there. Didn’t play but he ran across the stage during a song, knocking over most of Eric’s guitars. He was not amused. Saw him again 2 days later at the Swing in San Berdoo. No Moon, Santana opened both shows and joined Eric for the encores. This September I will see Eric at the Forum again. My 20th time seeing Eric. Not counting seeing him come on with the Stones a couple of times and Live Aid back in 85 in Philly.

March 1, 2018 at 11:18 pm

Anyone remember if Keith Moon was wearing a White with red and blue stripes Colorado Springs jersey for one of these shows? Thanks.

February 28, 2019 at 9:45 pm

I was also at the show in Greensboro. Poco didn’t open, though. It was some RSO band I’d never heard of and haven’t heard of since. Poco did open for the Stills/Young Band in Gboro a year or two later. We’d waited in line for the doors to open, and with festival seating we were very close to the stage. One of the loudest concerts I’ve attended, but maybe that’s because it was my first and I was up front. Before the bands came out there was speculation that Townshend and Moon might appear. After the opening act and intermission, Legs Larry Smith came out, followed by Moon, with a broom, I think. Photos of the show are floating around on the internet. Seeing Clapton set my musical sights in a new direction that would lead to a deep love of the blues in all forms.

December 7, 2021 at 3:14 pm

Hugh MACRAE , David Jones and I were at the Greensboro NC show. Great show and then the two WHO clowns came out for the encore. Townsend doing his 360 arm action gave them away to the crowd. It was as good as it gets!

Rick Siegfried

August 3, 2022 at 10:08 pm

I was at the Long Beach show. It would have been nice for Pete and Keith had shown up for this show! Despite the no-show of half The Who, the show was awesome! And I was very pleased when the show was officially released!

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Eric Clapton: The Definitive 24 Nights

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Product description.

In 1990, Eric Clapton performed 18 nights at one of his favorite venues - the famous Royal Albert Hall in London. During the 18 run of shows Clapton performed with three different line-ups: a rock band, a blues band, and an orchestra. Eric returned to the same venue in 1991 with the same three line-ups and played a further 24 shows. The huge undertaking of rehearsing for performances of three distinctly different genres was made even more challenging by the line-up for the rock shows varying from 4, 9 or 13 band members. Clapton has always played with superlative musicians, and these shows were no exception. The bands included Johnnie Johnson, Jimmie Vaughan, Chuck Leavell, Nathan East, Greg Phillinganes, Steve Ferrone, Ray Cooper, and Jerry Portnoy. Additionally, legendary special guests joined Clapton on stage: Phil Collins in the rock ensemble; Robert Cray, Buddy Guy and Albert Collins for the blues shows. The Orchestral performances were arranged and conducted by Michael Kamen the highly regarded and successful composer who had worked with Clapton previously (Lethal Weapon, Edge Of Darkness). The set list included the epic 30 minute “Concerto For Guitar” that Kamen composed especially for Clapton – released now for the first time. Many of the performances in both years were filmed and recorded. The huge volume of audio and film material from the archive has been painstakingly restored and upgraded by Clapton’s team of Simon Climie (audio production and mixing), producer Peter Worsley (Slowhand at 70 and The Lady In The Balcony), and director David Barnard (The Lady In The Balcony). This remarkable series of shows will finally be given the release that they deserve. A full concert of each genre (Rock, Blues, Orchestral) has been assembled from the hours of material available and will be released on audio (CD, LP, digital) and with an accompanying film on Blu-ray and DVD. The Clapton classics performed with the rock band include “White Room”, “Lay Down Sally”, “Wonderful Tonight”, “Pretending”, and “Layla”. The Orchestral show features a stunning version of “Layla”, plus stand-out highlights of “Bell Bottom Blues”, “Edge Of Darkness”, and “Sunshine of Your Love”. Great covers of “Cocaine”, “I Shot The Sheriff” and “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” are also featured. The 14-song Blues set includes standards such as “Sweet Home Chicago”, “Have You Ever Loved A Woman”, and “Key To The Highway”. The limited-edition “Definitive 24 Nights” deluxe box sets include 47 songs and almost 6 hours of music on 6 CDs or 8 LPs and 3 Blu-ray’s. The Rock, Blues and Orchestral shows will also be released as stand-alone concerts on LP and CD. The CD formats also come with the film of the show on DVD.

Product details

• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 1.34 x 12.91 x 12.91 inches; 5.92 Ounces
• Media Format ‏ : ‎ Box set
• Release date ‏ : ‎ June 23, 2023
• Actors ‏ : ‎ Eric Clapton
• Studio ‏ : ‎ Reprise
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C1ZXRJNM
• Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 9
• #3,198 in Pop (CDs & Vinyl)

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January - March

In addition to recording sessions for a new solo album at Surrey Sound Studios, Eric played on guest sessions for Ronnie Lane, Gary Brooker and Stephen Bishop

Eric's  double live album, Just One Night was released. It was recorded at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan in December 1979

Eric kicked off his tour for the year with a concert at New Theatre in Oxford. Eric had 14 UK dates and a short Scandinavian Tour in September

July - August

Eric recorded his next album, Another Ticket , at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas.  Eric also played on tracks for Gary Brooker, who is part of his band

Eric's  five-date Ireland / UK Tour to promote Another Ticket opened at R.D.S. Simmonscourt in Dublin. Following a one-night only concert at London’s Rainbow Theatre in February, the tour moved on to the US at the beginning of March for a four-month run. The remaining 49 concerts were canceled on 14 March due to Eric's  hospitalization for a perforated ulcer

17 February

Eric's  7th solo studio album, Another Ticket was                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         released and became a Top 3 album in the US

9 September

Eric made an appearance at the Secret Policeman's Other Ball at the Theatre Royal in Covent Garden, London. He performed with Jeff Beck and Sting which raised funds for Amnesty International

Eric returned to the road with an 8-date Scandinavian Tour that started at the Messuhalli in Helsinki, Finland

27 November

Eric started an 8-date tour of Japan with a concert at the Niigata Kenmin Hall in Niigata

Eric started a 17-date US Tour at the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Eric ended his short US Tour with a concert at the Sportatorium in Miami, Florida. Muddy Waters, one of his musical idols, joined him on stage for “Blow Wind Blow,” which was Water’s final public appearance

September – November

Eric recorded his next studio album, Money & Cigarettes at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas

Eric started his North American Tour at the Paramount Theater in Seattle, Washington promoting his new album, Money & Cigarettes . The tour headed to Europe and the UK before returning to the US in the summer

EC, backed by Chas & Dave was a special guest for the Save The Children Benefit Concert at the New Victoria Theatre in London

Eric was awarded the Nordoff Robbins Silver Clef Award for outstanding contribution to UK music

Eric played on sessions for Roger Waters’ upcoming album, The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking , which was released the following spring

20 September

Eric celebrated his 20th Anniversary as a musician with two benefit concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Night one was in aid of The Ronnie Lane Appeal for A.R.M.S and night 2 was in aid of the Prince’s Trust.  Eric's all-star band featured Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Steve Winwood, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones, Andy Fairweather Low and more

November - December

Eric was part of an all-star band assembled to raise funds for Ronnie Lane’s multiple sclerosis charity, ARMS. The ARMS Tour played 9 dates in Dallas, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. The band included Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Joe Cocker, Jan Hammer, Bill Wyman, Charlie Watts, Kenney Jones, Andy Fairweather Low and more

Eric started a European Tour at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland. The tour included concerts in Milan, Belgrade, Athens and Jerusalem, where it ended on 6 February

March - April

Eric recorded tracks for his new album, Behind The Sun , at AIR Studios in Montserrat, West Indies. The tracks were produced by Phil Collins

Roger Waters’ Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking Tour started in Stockholm, Sweden. Eric was in the band and played on all the dates in Europe, the UK, US and Canada through 31 July

Eric guested with Bob Dylan at Wembley Stadium in London for 7 songs during Dylan’s stadium tour

Eric played on “Freedom” for the soundtrack of Water at George Harrison’s Friar Park Studios. Eric, along with George Harrison, Ray Cooper, Jon Lord, Mike Moran, Chris Stainton and Ringo Starr also appeared in the film as the Singing Rebel's Band

Eric recorded final tracks for his next album, Behind The Sun , at Lion Share Studios and Amigo Studios in Los Angeles

13 November

Eric started an Australian tour at the Hordern Pavilion in Sydney. It wrapped on the 28th with a concert at the Entertainment Centre in Perth

29 November

Australia-only single, “You Don't Know Like I Know / Knock On Wood” was released. The A-side was a duet with Phil Collins recorded during Eric's  spring recording sessions at AIR Studios in Montserrat

Eric played a one-off concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum on the way home from his Australian Tour

11 February

Eric filmed the music video for “Forever Man” off his album, Behind The Sun

27 February

Eric's  Behind The Sun 1985 Tour opened at the Edinburgh Playhouse in Scotland. The tour visited the UK, Europe, US, and Japan before ending on 6 November at the Palasport in Padua, Ita

Eric's  Behind The Sun Tour stopped at the Hartford Civic Center in Hartford, Connecticut. The concert was filmed for home video release

Eric's  9th solo studio album, Behind The Sun , was released

Eric and Michael Kamen recorded the soundtrack for the BBC television series, Edge of Darkness

Eric was one of dozens of artists taking part in the worldwide benefit concert, Live Aid. He performed 3 songs and joined in the All-Star Finale at John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Lionel Richie joined Eric for the encore at Seattle Center Coliseum. Afterwards, Eric went to Bear Creek Recording Studios in Woodinville, Washington to add guitar overdubs to “Tonight Will Be Alright” for Richie’s forthcoming album, Dancing On The Ceiling

Eric filmed Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session for Carl Perkins at Limehouse Television Studios in London. Other featured guests were George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Dave Edmunds, Roseanne Cash and others

April - May

Eric recorded his 10th studio album, August , at Sunset Sound Recording Studios in Los Angeles

Eric was one of the artists that took part in the Prince's Trust 10th Birthday Party Concert at Wembley Arena in London

Eric's six date Clapton Collins Phillinganes East tour opened at the Kalvoyafestivalen on Kalvoya Island, Sandvika, Norway

Eric played with Otis Rush at the Montreux Jazz Festival. The concert was filmed and released in 2008 on CD and DVD as Otis Rush And Friends: Live at Montreux 1986

Clapton Collins Phillinganes East tour stopped at Le Casino in Montreux Switzerland and was broadcast on radio. Also filmed, it was released on DVD in 2006 as Eric Clapton: Live at Montreux 1986

August - September

Eric was a guest on recording sessions for Bob Geldof, the Bee Gees, Bob Dylan, and Tina Turner. He also recorded tracks for The Color Of Money soundtrack which featured the song “It’s In The Way Use It.” He also jammed with the Prince in London and played a charity concert with Stan Webb’s Chicken Shack

Eric filmed the video for “Tearing Us Apart,” his duet with Tina Turner, at Ronnie Scott’s in London

Eric took part in the filming of Chuck Berry’s 60th Birthday Concert at the Fox Theater in St. Louis, Missouri. It was released on CD, home video and later DVD as Hail Hail Rock ‘N’ Roll

20 November

Eric played the first of four US club dates with the Clapton Collins Phillinganes East lineup. The first two shows took place at the Metro in Boston, followed by two nights at the Ritz in New York City on 23 and 24 November

24 November

Eric's 10th solo studio album, August was released

Eric, along with David Sanborn and Michael Kamen recorded the soundtrack for the first Lethal Weapon film over a 9 day period at the Town House Studios in London. They composed the soundtracks for all of the films in the blockbuster series

Eric started his 1987 tour in support of his 10th studio album, August at the Apollo Theatre in Manchester. The tour took up much of the year with dates across the UK, Europe, US, Australia and Japan

The first solo Eric concert took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The 6-show run started an annual tradition which continued until 1996

24 February

Eric received The Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, a lifetime achievement award, given by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI)2

In Montserrat, Eric played a guest session for Sting at AIR Studios. Along with Elton John, Ringo Starr and Jeff Lynne, he played guest sessions for George Harrison’s new album, Cloud Nine at Friar Park Studios in Henley on Thames

Eric, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Phil Collins, Paul Butterfield, Dr. John, Etta James and more were BB King’s musical guests for the filming of the television special, A Blues Session: BB King and Friends . It was later released on home video

Eric took part in two nights of benefit concerts for the Prince’s Trust at Wembley Arena in London. They were filmed and later released as The Prince’s Trust Concert 1987

BBC Radio One began the broadcast of the six-part series, Behind The Mask - The Story of Eric Clapton

Eric, Mark Knopfler and Buddy Guy filmed a set before a live audience at Ronnie Scott’s in London for ITV's upcoming episode on the South Bank Show

Eric opened the UK leg of his 25th Anniversary Tour at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham. The tour visited the US, Canada and Japan before it ended on 5 November in Osaka, Japan

First night of Eric's 2nd annual residency took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London with concerts through the 4th of February. The 9 show run was part of his 25th Anniversary Tour

Eric's award-winning Crossroads box set was released. It featured his work with the Yardbirds, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Delaney & Bonnie & Friends, Derek and the Dominos, and his solo career. It received a gold record in the US on the 22nd of June

Eric began recording the Homeboy soundtrack. The sessions took place at both the Town House Studios and Olympic Studios in London

Eric played on sessions recording a variety of instrumentals for the Peace In Our Time soundtrack at Olympic Studios in London

Eric took part in two nights of benefit concerts for the Prince’s Trust at Wembley Arena in London

Eric made a guest appearance with Dire Straits during the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium in London

Eric made a surprise guest appearance with his former Cream bandmate, Jack Bruce, at The Bottom Line in New York

Eric's 25th Anniversary Tour opened in Nagoya, Japan at Rainbow Hall. Elton John and Mark Knopfler were in his band for the final weeks of the tour

The opening night of Eric's UK Tour took place at City Hall in Sheffield, South Yorkshire

20 January 

Opening night of Eric's 3rd annual residency took place at the Royal Albert Hall. There were 12 performances with 2 different band lineups through 3 February

22 February

Eric's box set Crossroads won Grammy Awards for Best Historical Album and Best Album Notes

March – April

Eric recorded his new album, Journeyman , and the soundtrack for Lethal Weapon 2 at Power Station Studios in New York.  He did guest sessions for Zucchero Fornaciari, Cyndi Lauper, and “Border Song” for an Elton John / Bernie Taupin tribute album

Eric attended the first International Rock Awards at the Lexington Armory in New York City and took home the award for "Best Guitarist"

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Eric Clapton’s Spring 2022 UK / European Tour

In the fall of 2019, Eric Clapton announced a highly anticipated Summer 2020 European Tour. In March 2020, those dates were rescheduled to Spring 2021. As the pandemic continued, the concerts were moved a second time to Spring 2022. Due to overwhelming demand, additional shows were added to Eric’s itinerary.

Fans who purchased tickets for the original 2020 European dates were advised to retain them as they would be honored at the rescheduled concerts, now taking place this spring. Bookings for the two rescheduled Royal Albert Hall gigs from 2021 also remain valid.

Now, Eric is looking forward to getting back out on the road to perform for his UK and European fans. The tour starts with two nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 7 and 8 May and continues through 17 June when it wraps in Helsinki.

The concerts in St. Petersburg and Moscow have been canceled.

Tickets purchased for rescheduled shows will be honored on the 2022 concert date

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