Eric Clapton

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When:

Wed 4 Mar ’09, 7:30pm

Where: Vector Arena, 42-80 Mahuhu Crescent, Auckland

Ticket Information:

Bronze: $99.90
Silver: $199.90
Gold: $299.90
Platinum: $399.90
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Eric Clapton

The return of a legend . . . for the first time in nearly 20 years, Eric Clapton will return to Auckland in March 2009 for what promises to be the show of the year.

“With every nuanced solo, accompanied by a flick of his head as he dived into the music, he was a legend of rock showing indeed why he so richly deserves the epithet.” - The Age

“ . . . when Clapton steps up on his Strat it was clear why he has been so revered all these years. There’s something in that sweet, sweet tone that millions of admirers have tired to mimic and few have matched.” - Brisbane Courier Mail

There are few who would contest Eric Clapton reputation is one of the world’s finest guitarists, often revered as the ‘musician’s musician’. An extraordinary career spanning over fifty years, seemingly countless releases, and accolades too numerous to list.

Setting out in the sixties with The Yardbirds, evolving through John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith, Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, and Derek and The Dominos. Eventually in 1970 Clapton’s career began a new solo chapter.

Over the years Clapton has contributed to the albums of many fellow artists such as Bob Dylan, B.B. King, Elton John, Sting, Joe Cocker, Roger Waters, Steven Stills, Aretha Franklin, Rolling Stones, Plastic Ono Band, and most famously, the solo on George Harrison’s While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

Now in his 60’s ‘Slowhand’ Clapton doesn’t appear to be showing signs of retirement. His recent list of achievements include releasing a best-selling autobiography Clapton, The Autobiography, a 2-disc release Complete Clapton ‘an ultimate career retrospective’, and a 27 date tour performing for thousands of fans at shows in U.S., Canada, and Europe, finishing up with two performances at Monaco's Sporting Summer Festival. Earlier this year, Clapton and J.J. Cale won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album (Vocal or Instrumental) for The Road To Escondido, taking his tally to 18 Grammys, plus one Lifetime Achievement Award along with Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce for the work of Cream.

Clapton is also honoured as being the only triple inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of both the Yardbirds and Cream, and as a solo artist.

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Content Editor 4 years ago

Hi guys,
Thanks for all your great entries!
This time the winners are:
- Kim
- Benie
- waitinbyyurside
- Crabtree
- Kurto
Happy reading :)
Gina
Linda Hammond 4 years ago

I have seen some artists play live but nobody and I mean nobody can compare to the genius Of Eric Clapton. The sound at the concert is the same as if you were listening to your music at home on your cd, you can hear every note, and every lyric to his music.Clapton established himself as a guitar legend long ago,his song writing he mastered alsot with his songs like Wonderful Tonight and Slowhand .I have every album he has released to date.When you get music that kids today listen to maybe for the first time and admire and want to play and learn on there Guitar (my nephews)it speaks volumes of why his music will always be around.Even though in earlier days he had a Herion Habit he rose above that and is today one of great masters of music.
sophietricker 4 years ago

He will always be a little part of every musician's influence whether they like it or not, his success and varied musical and lyrical talent means his music will live on forever. If I won a copy of this book, I would give it to my dad who wouldn't know what had hit him!
Jane Vermeer 4 years ago

Eric Clapton is one of the greatest guitarists of all time. He is an innovator in a wide variety of genres including blues-rock (with John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers and The Yardbirds) and psychedelic rock (with Cream). Additionally, his chart success is not limited to the blues: Delta blues (Me and Mr. Johnson), pop ("Change the World") and reggae (Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff"). And who can forget the hit love song "Layla," which he played with the band Derek and the Dominos. All in all a truly remarkable and versatile artist of all times - and still going strong.
K telford 4 years ago

Eric Clapton has musical talent beyond many musicians of today. I grew up listening to it because of my father. It was Claptons music that got me into learning to play instruments and keep me out of trouble and now 'Stairway to Heaven', 'Motherless Child' and 'Layla' are my favourite to play. All of his songs have amazign compositions and soul that provides meaning and inspiration to many people and especially me as it was Claptons songs that were played at a friend's and my great grandfather's funerals so everytime I hear those songs it reminds me a little of them.
Caitlin Nicol 4 years ago

Eric Clapton is a musical genius and a survivor who has undoubtably influenced many artists with his iconic sound. His music is so relaxing and bluesy.
mtbm 4 years ago

A bit of a rebel, but very gentle sort of music at the same time - so my parents could appreciate it as well.
Jules101 4 years ago

I have always had a great admiration for the man & his music and when my dearest friend & her husband gave birth to a little girl in the mid 80's I sugested that they call her Layla (after the great song!) they did & I am the very proud godmother of a beautiful young woman, Layla, who is now in her mid 20's.
J M 4 years ago

I think what I like most about him besides his music and how he is an antithetical cock rock guitarist is the acknowledgment he has given to the older blues greats(king, johnson, hooker, etc) that have been the foundattion of his music.
Trevor Shepherd 4 years ago

Born in the middle of the fifties,I grew up with "Eric Clapton" music, I play Eric Clapton music on my guitar, I play Eric Capton music on my car stereo, on my house stereo, on every and any body else's stereo. Eric's songs will always remind me of those times throughout my life, good and bad.
Louise Tupou 4 years ago

Eric Clapton got me through the death of my husband with his words that have a very great healing of the soul tone to them.
Tehoro 4 years ago

He is one of my idol and legend of all time. My father passed on 2 years and 5 months ago. When i listen to Tears In Heaven, i miss my dad so much. Eric, your songs inspired us all in our heart, even some others songs as well. Thank you so much Eric Clapton. Some young children loves your songs and you too.
Emily 4 years ago

Eric Clapton is an utter legend and his music is amazing. It is great to sing along to especially in the car and you never tire of hearing it. :D
TheMarketingGuy 4 years ago

Clapton has always broken new ground. As a 16 yr old prodigy with John Mayall, then the first super group with Cream, then Derek and the Dominoes. He also dealt with his demons and came back in yet another new guise with the soft reggae of the early 70s - I shot the Sherriff. And then again going back to the blues. His Albert Hall seasons again broke new ground with a rock band, a blues band and playing with an orchestra.
And through it all he has had to deal with tragedy - his son's death and then Stevie Ray Vaughn. But still he goes on.
And now his work with the Crossroads organisation for rehab.
A tireless and generous man.
sandradee 4 years ago

What does Eric Clapton mean to me? He's one helluva sexy songster whose songs will be classics till I die.
lilycat 4 years ago

I do not need a parent to introduce me to Eric Clapton, because I am old enough to have been around with him in our youth together, and we have been together ever since if you know what I mean ! I suppose its like my parents listening to Frank Sinatra till they die, we will never be tired of our old friends.
waitinbyurside 4 years ago

my father, ridiculously passionate about music, managed to convinced my mother to name me Layla, so I guess you could say Eric Clapton has been part of my life from the very start... I grew up on his music with it often being the first thing I heard when waking in the morning... my fathers love of music was passed onto me and to this day everytime I head home my Dad and I have have our music time when we sit in front of the stero four hours playing each other our current favourite artists or songs... granted everytime he'll slip in a Clapton classic just for the good old days... I had my eye on the autobiography for him for xmas but got him the gift of music instead, a ukulele! i guarantee you we would both fight over it if we manage to snag a copy...
Olivia Duncan 4 years ago

A guitar legend! Layla still makes me crazy every time I hear it, would be amazing to hear it live.
Kurto 4 years ago

When I first started playing guitar my father told me about this guy, 'Eric Clapton' who was one of his favourite artists. I thought he was kinda old and uninteresting. That was until dad got me some Clapton videos and CD's. Even a poster he put on my wall, good grief!! lol (he means well, kinda embarasing) I kept it up to please him.
I now play lead guitar in a speed/tech metal band so it is vastly different from my dads era. But I could see the passion in his eyes when he talked to me about him. So I use Eric as a role model for my playing, hoping to be as proficient.
Dad would be speechless if I was lucky enough to win it for him.
Ricky Lamar 4 years ago

I have always placed Eric Clapton as one of the top guitar players along with Eddie Van Halen and Kirk Hammet but unlike them he is also a superb lyricist.
Benie 4 years ago

I remembered seeing him in the Martin Scorsese classic 'The Last Waltz"
There was a moment when his guitar strap broke right at the start of his intro, Robbie Robertson picked up the notes without missing a beat and together they played one of the most memorable 'guitar duets' I've seen.
Been a fan ever since.
Marcy 4 years ago

'Tears in Heaven', has been the only song that has made me cry-everytime I hear it. No other songster has been able to do that.
iforgotmyusername 4 years ago

I would give the autobiography to my Father-in-law. God, Jesus, Eric Clapton. He doesn't go to church and he doesn't read the Bible but he did buy an electric guitar.
Terryo 4 years ago

Eric Clapton has sung rock'n roll and ballads, he's versatile and he's a legend. 'Layla' has got to be one of the best rock tributes for the love of a woman ever written, and 'Would you know my name' is the most heart-wrenching tribute to a lost child. I would love to read about Eric Clapton's life, his falling in love with George Harrison's wife, the death of his child and his friendship's in the music world. I'm a biography nut, I've read more biographies than I've had hot dinners. This would be a great read.
huyen tran 4 years ago

Talking about Eric Clapton, i think about his immortal song, 'Tears in heaven'. I was moved and burst into tears when i heard it at the first time. I seemed to feel every words of the song and sympathized with it. It's just because i lost my love ones. Every time i listen to the song again and again, it gives me sad feelings and recalls me past memories. However it also gives me strength to keep going and face the present and future. Thanks for his masterpiece.
bren 4 years ago

He is timeless and perfection. I would love to read his autobiography. To get a glimps of what makes this man ticks .
joanne halliday 4 years ago

he seems so unpretentious and a down to earth kind of guy for such a huge talent, so many other muso's say he was one of their influences and idols, that speaks for itself, what a legend!
Sonya Carroll 4 years ago

To me His music reaches into my heart.................i would be honored to read his autobiography to get the in depth off his true feelings and the grief that came with the death of his son (Conner)
"Tears in Heaven" is the most beautiful song
Sam Woodroffe 4 years ago

To me, Eric Clapton means happiness - my Dads happiness, that is. Eric Clapton is by a country mile my Dads favourite artist, his music has seen my Dad through some horrific times (the loss of his sister - "Tears In Heaven" was played at her funeral, a motorcycle accident that put him in a coma - we played him Eric Clapton every day)... and it has seen him through the happiest moments of his life too! I would absolutely LOVE to win this book for my Dad, what a fabulous Christmas Present :)
Yvette35 4 years ago

Why Eric Clapton? Quite simply, because he moves me – rips my heart. I hear Clapton and from my now jaded greyness, I become part of something bigger than me. I hear Clapton and I am transported, sucked into a vacuum – a private emotional space. The outside world becomes secondary to how I feel inside as I become totally entwined in his music. I grew up with Clapton in the 60s and 70s. In fact, I still have ‘Cream’ on a magnetic cassette (though I don’t have a player any more!). Clapton’s music conjures up so many memories – great memories for me. As for ‘Layla,’ I hear it and it’s like I’m breathing different air. Sure I love his contemporary stuff, but as well, Clapton’s music is the magic carpet that teleports me back to my youth with all it’s magical intensity. I would be ecstatic to attend his show, but I probably won’t . However, I would still love to read his autobiography as he really has had a huge affect on my musical taste over the l
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