News
EC’s Band For 2016 Tokyo Concerts
1 Feb 16
American Traditional Musician and multi-instrumentalist Dirk Powell joins Eric Clapton’s band for 2016 Japan concerts.
EC heads to Japan’s most famous venue, the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, for five nights in April. His band for the dates will be Dave Bronze (bass), Paul Carrack (keyboards / backing vocals), Andy Fairweather Low (guitar / backing vocals), Henry Spinetti (drums), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Michelle John (backing vocals), Sharon White (backing vocals) and multi-instrumentalist Dirk Powell. With the exception of Powell, all are veterans of previous Eric Clapton band line-ups.
These are the only concert dates announced for 2016.
About EC’s Band:
Dave Bronze
Dave first started working with EC in the 80s at one-off and charity gigs in England, a practice that continues to the present day. He joined EC in the studio for From The Cradle and toured with EC in 1994, 1995 and 1996. He’s also an in-demand session player and producer. Dave has worked extensively with Robin Trower and Andy Fairweather Low and adds Duane Eddy, Jeff Beck, Phil Collins, Bo Diddley, Leo Sayer, Eric Bibb, Steve Winwood, Belinda Carlisle, Stuart Copeland, Paul Carrack, Brian Ferry and more to his extensive list of credits.
Paul Carrack
Paul joined Eric’s touring lineup in March 2013. Paul is the voice of many of the landmark British pop songs of the past 40 years like “How Long,” “Tempted,” “The Living Years,” and “Don’t Shed A Tear.” He’s been a member of the chart-topping bands Ace, Squeeze, Roxy Music and Mike + The Mechanics. Paul also enjoys an active solo touring and recording career. His most recent solo album, Soul Shadows, was released 15 January 2016. Paul’s out on the road in the UK supporting it before he visits Tokyo in April with EC.
Andy Fairweather Low
Andy first came to prominence in the late 60s as the lead singer / guitarist of Amen Corner. His band Fair Weather had a hit with “Natural Born Sinner” before Andy turned to a successful solo career in 1971. Andy first worked with EC during the 1983 ARMS Tour and Roger Water’s “Pros & Cons Of Hitchhiking” project. He became a steady member of Eric’s lineup from 1992 to 2004. Since, he has joined Eric in the studio, appeared at numerous charity endeavors alongside EC as well as concert tours in 2009 and 2014. Andy has also worked with The Who, Pete Townshend, George Harrison Roy Wood, Leo Sayer, Gerry Rafferty, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Bill Wyman and many others. Andy is currently touring the UK with his band, the Low Riders.
Michelle John
Michelle joined Eric’s band in 2004. Her list of credits is lengthy, having worked with Nick Carter, Lulu, Richard Ashcroft, Samantha Mumba, Bryan Ferry, Annie Lennox, Will Young and more. Michelle released a solo EP, Little Me, in 20_. She’s also active with the UK’s Unity Radio Project and the artist showcase, Oh No She Didn’t, Oh Yes She Did. Most recently, Michelle was on tour with Will Young was a featured artist on his hit, “Thank You”, and the accompanying music video.
Dirk Powell
Multi-instrumentalist Dirk Powell is one of the preeminent American Traditional musicians of his generation. He joins EC’s band for the first time in 2016. He’s recorded and performed with artists as diverse as Loretta Lynn, Sting, Jack White, Levon Helm, Jewel, T-Bone Burnett and Linda Ronstadt. Dirk founded the Cajun group Balfa Toujours with his wife Christine Balfa and also performs with his own Dirk Powell Band.
Henry Spinetti
Over the course of his decades-long career, Henry has worked wide variety of artists including Tina Turner, Neil Sedaka, Joan Armatrading, Gary Brooker, Roger Chapman, George Harrison, Pete Townshend, Gerry Rafferty and Paul McCartney. Henry was part of EC’s “all British” band between December 1979 and September 1982. Since then, he’s continued to record and perform with EC, including charity gigs like The Concert For George. He’s also part of No Stiletto Shoes, a band which features Andy Fairweather Low on guitar, Dave Bronze on bass and Gary Brooker on vocals and keyboards.
Chris Stainton
In 2016, Chris celebrates an amazing 37 years working with Eric on the road and in the studio. He first joined Eric’s band in 1979 and has had only two brief breaks since then. Over his lengthy career, Chris has also worked extensively with Joe Cocker and many other musicians, including Pete Townshend, Ringo Starr, Bryan Ferry, Peter Frampton, David Gilmour, and Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings. In September 2015, Chris joined the Tedeschi Trucks Band, Leon Russell, Rita Coolidge, and others at the Lockn’ Festival recreate a large part of the Mad Dogs & Englishmen album as a tribute to Joe Cocker.
Sharon White
Sharon joined Eric’s band in 2004, and along with Michelle John, has been a fixture on backing vocals ever since. Sharon has also worked with a diverse group of artists including Westlife, Ringo Starr, Zucchero, Herbie Hancock, Natasha Beddingfield, Corinne Bailey Rae, Bryan Ferry and Annie Lennox. She released the single, Sensual, to iTunes and other digital services and is currently working on a solo album.
Eric Clapton & His Band
April 2016 Concert Dates
13 April – Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan
15 April – Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan
16 April – Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan
18 April – Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan
19 April – Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan
The concerts were announced in November 2015. Tickets went on sale on 5 December. Tickets from Udo Artists, Inc.