While once a road warrior, Eric Clapton has slowed down his tour game in recent years. He’s promised before that retirement is near, but while these newly announced shows have not been named final just yet, they are certainly few of the last. Slowhand will celebrate his 50 years of music with two nights at Madison Square Garden in New York (March 19-20) and two nights at The Forum in Los Angeles (March 25-26), with special guests Jimmie Vaughn and Gary Clark Jr..
His band will consist of Walt Richmond, Steve Gadd, Nathan East, Chris Stainton, Sharon White and Michelle John. East coast pre-sale begins Thursday, December 1 at 12PM, with west coast dates starting Saturday, December 3 at 10AM.
Last year, Clapton celebrated his 70th birthday with a slew of shows at the esteemed New York venue. In the program, he included a handwritten note that read: “I swear this is it, no more…..I know I’ve been threatening retirement for the last fifty years, but I didn’t think I’d ever really want to stop. I love what I do and always have done, but over the last few decades I’ve found what I was always really looking for, a loving family who love me just the way I am, which means I can relax and rest when I need to, and more and more I treasure the beauty of that….” The letter continued, “Hopefully, I might be able to remember and breathe some life into this old stuff…. in truth believe me, with these great guys to play with, I’ll be having the time of my life!”
For more information, head to Eric Clapton’s website. See you at the shows!
[H/T JamBase]