News

Eric Clapton To Mark 150 Solo Concerts At London’s Royal Albert Hall

2 May 09

Eric Clapton will soon be embarking on a 14-date tour of Ireland and the U.K. with shows in Dublin, Manchester, Liverpool and an 11-night residency at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The tour runs from 11 May to 31 May 2009. On 19 May 2009, Eric Clapton will perform his 150th solo concert at the "Albert". On that same day, his new 2 CD / 2 DVD sets with Steve Winwood, "Live From Madison Square Garden" will be released worldwide.

From 1987 to 1996, Eric performed annual winter residencies at the venue, which peaked with 24 shows in February / March 1991 with four different band lineups, including a full orchestra. Eric’s 100th solo show took place there on 28 February 1994. It served as a benefit for Children in Crisis. Now, he returns to the Royal Albert Hall from time-to-time as part of his regular touring regimen. By the end of his 2009 residency, Eric’s total will be 158 solo shows performed at the Royal Albert Hall since 6 January 1987.

Eric Clapton first graced the Albert’s stage on 7 December 1964 while a member of The Yardbirds. The next appearance was 26 November 1968 and it became the stuff of legend – the two "farewell" concerts by the Cream. These shows can still be experienced on the DVD, "Cream Farewell". Thirty-seven years later, EC, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce reunited on the same stage for 4 special concerts which were documented in the CD / DVD release, Cream: Royal Albert Hall London May 2, 3, 5, 6, 2005.

Eric has also performed at a number of charity concerts at the venue, including the Prince’s Trust (1983 and 1988), the ARMS Concert (1983), Music for Montserrat (1997), the Concert for George (2002), and several Teenage Cancer Trust benefits. Many of these have been released on DVD.

If you add in the benefits and concerts by other bands EC was in (like The Yardbirds, Delaney & Bonnie & Friends and Cream) it will tally up at May’s end to an incredible 176 shows at the Albert Hall since December 1964!

Complete List of Eric Clapton’s Solo Gigs at the Royal Albert Hall

1987: January 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 (6 shows)

1988: January 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31 and February 2, 3, 4 (9 shows)

1989: January 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30 and February 1, 2, 3 (12 shows)
Four Piece: January 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26
Eight Piece: January 28, 29, 30 and Feb 1, 2, 3

1990: Jan 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31 & Feb 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 (18 shows)
Four Piece: January 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24
Thirteen Piece: January 26, 27, 28, 30, 31 and February 1
Blues Band: February 3, 4, 5
Orchestra: February 8, 9, 10

1991: Feb. 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28 & March 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 (24 shows)
Four Piece: February 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11
Nine Piece: February 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19
Blues Band: February 23, 24, 25, 27, 28 and March 1
Orchestra: March 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9

1992: February 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28 (12 shows)

1993: February 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27 and March 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 (12 shows)

1994: February 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28 and March 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 (12 shows)
February 28th marked EC’s 100th solo show at the RAH – it was a benefit for Children in Crisis

1995: February 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28 and March 1, 3, 4, 5 (12 shows)

1996: February 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28 and March 1, 2, 3 (12 shows)

2001: February 3, 4, 6, 9, 10 (5 shows, 6 booked)
February 7 cancelled due to illness

2004: May 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11 (6 shows)

2006: May 16, 17, 19, 22, 23, 25, 26 (7 shows)

2009: May 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 31 (11 shows)
May 19th will EC’s 150th solo show at the RAH
May 29th will mark EC’s 175th appearance at the RAH since 1964

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