2008 to 2011: Eric Clapton Band History and Lineups
In a 29 March 2007 interview with the Associated Press, Eric Clapton said that after the second Crossroads Guitar Festival (28 July 2007), “I’m going to disappear for a year or two and have some fun.” As usual, Eric’s self-imposed “time off” didn’t last very long.
Before 2008 was a month old, Eric Clapton was rehearsing with Steve Winwood for a series of high-profile shows that took place in New York City. The three Madison Square Garden concerts on 25, 26 and 28 February garnered outstanding reviews. The shows were filmed and were released on DVD in May 2009. March 2008 found Clapton working in the studio with Robbie Robertson on tracks for an unnamed project that was later shelved. Eric then embarked on a 27 date tour that visited the U.S., Canada and Europe in May, June, and August. While in the U.S., Clapton even stopped by for a guest appearance at one of Sheryl Crow’s concerts in Florida. Between the U.S. / Canada leg and the launch of the European tour, Clapton tinkered with his band lineup a bit with a change in the rhythm section.
So far, Eric Clapton is showing no signs of slowing down. In February 2009, he toured Japan, followed by New Zealand and Australia in March. Then, it was back home to England for a 11-night residency at London’s Royal Albert Hall in May along with dates in Dublin, Liverpool and Manchester. The band lineup for these two tours were signficantly different. Finally, there was a 14 date tour of the U.S. with Steve Winwood (10 to 30 June).
Eric was on the road once again in 2010. A series of 6 "together and apart" shows took place with Jeff Beck in February in London, New York, Toronto and Montreal followed by an 11-date solo tour where the support act was Roger Daltrey (The Who). In June, Eric toured a number of European cities with Steve Winwood, hosted his third Crossroads Guitar Festival on the 26th. EC wrapped his touring activities for the year with four US dates that ended in early July.
EC's 2011 solo concerts kick off on 11 February in Abu Dhabi. Five nights with Steve Winwood at London's Royal Albert Hall happen in May / June. Click here for a complete list of announced concert dates for 2011.
WINWOOD / CLAPTON BAND (February 2008)
Eric Clapton (guitar / vocals), Steve Winwood (piano / hammond organ / guitar / vocals), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Willie Weeks (bass), Ian Thomas (drums)
2008 SUMMER TOURING BAND (Eastern U.S. / Canada)
Eric Clapton (guitar / vocals), Doyle Bramhall II (guitar / backing vocals), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Pino Palladino (bass), Ian Thomas (drums), Sharon White (backing vocals), Michelle John (backing vocals)
2008 SUMMER TOURING BAND (Europe)
Eric Clapton (guitar / vocals), Doyle Bramhall II (guitar / backing vocals), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Willie Weeks(bass), Abe Laboriel, Jr. (drums), Sharon White (backing vocals), Michelle John (backing vocals)
2009 TOURING BAND I (Japan / New Zealand / Australia)
Eric Clapton (guitar / vocals), Doyle Bramhall II (guitar / backing vocals), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Willie Weeks (bass), Abe Laboriel, Jr. (drums), Sharon White (backing vocals), Michelle John (backing vocals)
2009 TOURING BAND II (Ireland / England)
Eric Clapton (guitar / vocals), Andy Fairweather Low (guitar / backing vocals), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Tim Carmon (keyboards), Willie Weeks (bass), Steve Gadd (drums), Sharon White (backing vocals), Michelle John (backing vocals)
2009 WINWOOD / CLAPTON BAND (U.S.)
Eric Clapton (guitar / vocals), Steve Winwood (piano / hammond organ / guitar / vocals), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Willie Weeks (bass), Abe Laboriel, Jr. (drums), Sharon White (backing vocals), Michelle John (backing vocals)
2010 TOURING BAND (England / North America)
Eric Clapton (guitar / vocals), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Walt Richmond (keyboards), Willie Weeks (bass), Steve Gadd (drums), Sharon White (backing vocals), Michelle John (backing vocals)
2010 WINWOOD / CLAPTON BAND (England / Europe)
Eric Clapton (guitar / vocals), Steve Winwood (piano / hammond organ / guitar / vocals), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Willie Weeks (bass), Steve Gadd (drums), Sharon White (backing vocals), Michelle John (backing vocals)
2011 TOURING BAND
Eric Clapton (guitar / vocals), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Willie Weeks (bass), Steve Gadd (drums), Sharon White (backing vocals), Michelle John (backing vocals)
