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Eric Clapton Headlined Special Charity Concert On 25 July

27 Jul 15

On 25 July, Eric Clapton headlined a special fundraising event for legendary cricketer and tireless philanthropist Sir Ian “Beefy” Botham  at the Wormsley Estate, Stokenchurch, High Wycombe in honour of the sportsman’s 60th Birthday. The concert was preceded by a T20 Cricket Game with Sir Ian Botham’s XI taking on Sir Viv Richards’s XI. Celebrities who played in the match included Andrew Strauss, Darren Gough, Piers Morgan, Matthew Hoggard, Simon Jones, Glen McGrath, Shane Warne, Peter Reid and Stuart McGill. The afternoon cricket was covered by Sky Television.

A signed guitar donated by Eric raised an additional £26,000. Beefy’s Charity Foundation was the beneficiary of all funds raised.

Strapped For Cash performed a set of covers plus their own song, Over and Out, before Eric took the stage around 7:10pm for a one hour electric set. Platinum and Gold ticket holders – about 450 persons – viewed the concert from the estate’s intimate Opera House, while punters with Silver tickets viewed from the lawn surrounding the building, aided by large screens.

More than a few fans made the trek to Buckinghampshire for this special event. Concert highlights were Gin House (after a false start by Andy Fairweather Low who joked he had a “senior moment”), Crossroads, Little Queen of Spades and Cocaine according to those who were there.

The evening ended with Sir Ian being presented with a birthday cake, accompanied by two youngsters his charity has aided. Eric and band serenaded the sportsman with a few bars of “Happy Birthday Ian” to conclude the day.

Were you there? Send your review to info@whereseric.com for publication in the Eric Clapton Tour Archive. Read reviews already submitted here. 

Eric Clapton & His Band Set Lis
Beefy’s 60th Birthday Bash – 25 July 2015
01. Somebody Knocking
02. Key To The Highway
03. Tell The Truth
04. Hoochie Coochie Man
05. Lay Down Sally
06. Ginhouse
07. Wonderful Tonight
08. Crossroads
09. Little Queen Of Spades
10. Cocaine
(The band also performed a snippet of “Happy Birthday Ian” when the cake was brought out for Beefy)

Band Lineup:
Eric Clapton – guitar, vocals
Andy Fairweather Low – guitar, vocals
Chris Stainton – piano, keyboards
Dave Bronze – bass
Henry Spinetti – drums
Michelle John – backing vocals
Sharon White – backing vocals

Support: Strapped For Cash