News
Eric Clapton’s World Tour Draws To A Close In Columbus
7 Apr 07
Eric Clapton’s eleven month world tour came to end on 6 April 2007 at the Schotenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio. One fan at “The Shot” said “It takes guts to forego the popular newer tunes and play songs that those in the audience under 35 probably wouldn’t know. It’s so cool the way he just walks out on stage with no fluff and just plays. The only interaction with the crowd is a thank you, or to acknowledge a solo from his outstanding band. To see ‘Little Wing’ performed live was the highlight for me. I wish he could have played another hour.”
Other early reports from the venue indicate that “Got To Get Better In A Little While,” “Motherless Children” and “Little Queen of Spades” were also crowd-pleasers.
The complete setlist from the final night was:
01. Tell The Truth
02. Key To The Highway
03. Got to Get Better in A Little While
04. Little Wing
05. Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad
Sit Down Set
06. Driftin’ (EC Solo)
07. Outside Woman Blues
08. Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out
09. Running On Faith
10. Motherless Children
11. Little Queen of Spades
12. Further On Up The Road
13. Wonderful Tonight
14. Layla
Encore
15. Cocaine
16. Crossroads (with Robert Cray)
By the final night of the tour, nine of the fourteen tracks from “Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs” were performed. Longtime fans were delighted that Eric chose to dust off these gems on the road.
Eric’s 2006 /2007 touring band featured Doyle Bramhall II (guitar), Derek Trucks (guitar), Chris Stainton (keyboards), Tim Carmon (keyboards), Willie Weeks (bass), Steve Jordan (drums), Michelle John (backing vocals), and Sharon White (backing vocals). Derek Trucks departed the band after the San Jose concert on 18 March 2007 to return to the Allman Brothers band where he plays alongside his uncle, Butch Trucks. The Kick Horns (Simon Clarke, Roddy Lorimer and Tim Sanders) were included on the 2006 European dates.
Overall, Eric and his band performed a total of 119 concerts in in 91 cities in 23 countries between 5 May 2006 and 6 April 2007.
Although the world tour is over, Eric won’t be idle. He has a special concert event in the works: the second Crossroads Guitar Festival on 28 July 2007. The talent roster will include B.B. King, Jeff Beck, Steve Winwood, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Buddy Guy, Willie Nelson and many others. Tickets for the all-day festival in Chicago, Illinois sold out in less than 30 minutes on 31 March. Following the July event, Eric told the AP he plans “to disappear for a year or two and have some fun”. You deserve it, Eric. Thanks for the terrific tour!