Venue: Royal Albert Hall
City: London
Country: United Kingdom
Eric Clapton – guitar, vocals
Chris Stainton – piano, keyboards
Paul Carrack – organ, keyboards, vocals
Nathan East – bass
Steve Gadd – drums
Michelle John – backing vocals
Sharon White – backing vocals
Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders
The 2015 residency at the Royal Albert Hall was in celebration of Eric Clapton’s 70th birthday on 30 March 2015. The concerts also mark the fifty years since he first played the venue on 7 December 1964 with The Yardbirds.
On this evening, Eric dedicated “Tears In Heaven” to his Auntie Sylvia who was in attendance.
The concert was filmed and recorded for potential release.
01. SOMEBODY KNOCKING
02. KEY TO THE HIGHWAY
03. PRETENDING
04. HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN
05. YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL – Paul Carrack (vocals)
06. CAN’T FIND MY WAY HOME – Nathan East (vocals)
07. I SHOT THE SHERIFF
08. DRIFTIN
09. NOBODY KNOWS YOU WHEN YOU’RE DOWN AND OUT
10. TEARS IN HEAVEN
11. LAYLA
12. LET IT RAIN
13. WONDERFUL TONIGHT
14. CROSSROADS
15. LITTLE QUEEN OF SPADES
16. COCAINE
17. HIGH TIME WE WENT (ENCORE) – Paul Carrack (vocals), with guest Andy Fairweather Low
Review by Georges Vonfelt
Just coming out of the show and only one word exceptional. I have seen Eric many many times on stage but never so happy and playing on the top of the top, What a I Shot The Sheriff! I hope that the retirement is not real. Who plays on this level? No one; Eric plays as if he was mid-20s and not 70. Incredible
Review by Hiroshi M.
My second and last night this time. Will this ever be my last seeing Eric performing at the RAH? I hope not.
The solo on Sheriff provided the audience with another breathtaking moment, as it always did on every other night. Let It Rain was certainly better than the previous evening with Eric’s more dexterous fingering on the fretboard.
That said, as a whole, the show ended as an above average achievement, less in the out-of-this-world elements that were exhibited in plenty last night. But it was still great, there should be no major complaint, no need to make a fuss for all those who attended the show for sure.
In order to attempt a more balanced view, I quote my Japanese friend who is an RAH veteran (he attended five shows, 17th-23rd, as well as both MSG shows) — unlike yours truly, he commented that the 20th was average and this was the second best RAH night to the 18th among those he had attended to the date. As is always the case, everyone has a different opinion on a different night.
Ultimately, however, the sixth night will be remembered for the brave couple of a gentleman and a lady (both middle aged) who dashed forward to the front once Eric launched into the solo on Cocaine, dancing dynamically and showered with the praise and cheers from all around, without doubt the biggest highlight for many. They draw more attention than Eric playing the solo! As Andy Warhol once stated, everyone will be world-famous for fifteen, er, two minutes.