News

Eric Clapton Entertains 60,000 At Tsunami Relief Concert In Cardiff, Wales

23 Jan 05

Eric Clapton, backed by Jools Holland and his Orchestra, was the headliner at the Tsunami Relief Concert on 22 January 2005. The concert, organized in only twenty days, took place at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Attended by over 60,000 persons, who braved the 1º C indoor temperature, the day-long event raised £1.24 million to assist with the ongoing relief efforts.

Before Jools Holland took the stage, the crowd saw a short video of Sharon Osbourne. In it, she thanked Eric for all his work for Tsunami Relief by participating in the concert and by giving "the best song in the world – "Tears In Heaven" – and allowing us to use your song…so Eric, much respect to you." It was announced that the all-star charity single will be released shortly with funds going to Save The Children.

Jools Holland performed two numbers before being joined by Eric for six songs to close the hours-long show. Eric and Jools did their best to get the crowd moving and warmed up with an all-blues set that featured some surprises. The songs performed were:

Reconsider Baby
Little Queen of Spades
Willie & The Hand Jive
Every Day I Have The Blues
Love Her With A Feeling
Shake Rattle & Roll (All Star Encore)

"Willie & The Hand Jive" – from Eric’s classic 1974 album "461 Ocean Boulevard" – was a treat despite no guitar solo from Eric, instead it featured an outstanding saxophone solo. "Every Day I Have The Blues" – which featured two great solos from Eric – was played at lightning pace. Without skipping a beat, the band went directly into "Love Her With A Feeling". After a brief break, Eric, Jools Holland and his musicians returned to the stage accompanied by Embrace and GLC for the encore.

Manic Street Preachers, Keane, Charlotte Church, Badly Drawn Boy, Feeder, Lemar, Lulu, Craig David, and Snow Patrol were just a few of the other artists who donated their talent to the event. The concert was the UK’s biggest charity concert since Live Aid in July 1985.

For more information about the UK relief effort and to donate, please visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/howtodonate.shtml