STEVE WINWOOD and ERIC CLAPTON
On Heels of Three Exclusive Shows at MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, Duo Announce A Special 14-City U.S. Tour This Spring

(New York, NY) – After their historic three-nights at Madison Square Garden, Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood announced today an exclusive 14-city U.S. tour beginning June 10, 2009.

After a stunning collaboration at the Chicago Crossroads Guitar Festival in July of 2007 and much speculation, Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton announced three eagerly anticipated concerts at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Those shows featured the artists performing together in a varied set list with Blind Faith classics and solo hits from each artist. Critics acclaimed the shows as historic and some of the best Clapton Winwood work ever. The tour promises more of the same collaborative musicianship that made these men legendary award-winning artists.

Both Winwood and Clapton have long and prestigious musical careers with countless honors and awards to their names. Their musical paths connected in 1969 with the formation of Blind Faith, a group that pioneered the fusion of rock and blues into tremendous studio and stage success. Despite critical and popular acclaim, the band was short-lived with only one album and a brief 1969 tour that debuted July 12 at Madison Square Garden and ended August 24th in Hawaii. Since that final show, Winwood and Clapton have remained friends, but have only performed together a few times over the years for an occasional song at a charity event. The 2008 Madison Square Garden shows were the first full Winwood-Clapton concerts in 40 years. Additionally, 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of Blind Faith and 40 years since they performed to over 100,000 people in Hyde Park, London.

Steve Winwood is currently signed to Columbia Records and released an album of new music, NINE LIVES in 2008. Eric Clapton’s compilation album Complete Clapton was released in 2008 on Reprise Records. The duo’s captivating performance at the 2007 Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago can be seen as part of a 2-disc DVD available now from Rhino Entertainment.

Ticket On-Sale Information
Check your local listings for tickets. Tickets can be purchased via ticketmaster.com.

2009 TOUR SCHEDULE:
June 10 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center
June 12 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center
June 13 Washington, DC Verizon Center
June 15 Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center
June 17 Chicago, IL United Center
June 18 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
June 20 Omaha, NE Qwest Center
June 21 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
June 23 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
June 24 Houston, TX Toyota Center
June 26 Glendale, AZ Jobing.com Arena
June 27 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Arena
June 29 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena
June 30 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl


For more information and press enquiries please contact:
Kristen Foster
212-373-6104 / Kristen.Foster@pmkhbh.com

EC arrived at 6th February in Japan.
The japanese TV "WOWOW" will broadcast Budokan show (25th Feb)on 15 March.

Hi Everyone.

Here's the report I promised for the 2008 New Years Eve Party at Woking.
Just a bit of background. this is a party put on by the " Guildford Sunday Group"
which is basically Guildford Alcoholics Anonymous. The Party takes place at the Woking Leisure Centre.
The Party is dry which makes for a superb atmosphere.( and very easy on the Wallet)

The band do two sets one before Midnight and the second set starting just after Midnight
This years band was called " The Fourth Edition" The line up was
Eric Clapton - Gtr and Vocals
Andy Fairwether Lowe - Gtr , Mandolin and vocals
Chris Stainton - Hammond
Dave Bronze - Bass and Vocals
Henry Spinetti - Drums
Gary Brooker - Piano and Vocals
Pete Townshend - Gtr and Vocals ( unable to attend due to illness although gear and gtr tech present)
Sharon? and Michelle?( Lady singers) - Backing Vocals

The first set was as Follows

Knock on Wood - E
Reconsider baby - G
Judge a book -G
Santa Clause is Back - A
Route 66 -A
Will The circle - C
Five Long Years - A
Wonderful Tonight - G ( Best version I have ever seen or heard)
Shake Rattle and Roll - E

The band then took a break, we had the Big Ben chimes on the Big Screen with the fireworks in London and then the Band returned just after Midnight.

the second set was as Follows

Midnight hour- E
Hoochie Coochie Man- A
Blueberry Hill - E
Sweet Souls Music - C
Putting on the Style - A
Gin House - E
Willie and the hand Jive -A
Whiter Shade of Pale - C
Cocaine - E

The Encore was
Old Black Joe - E

This was a great gig, the version of Wonderful Tonight was exceptional Claptons sound superb and a truly great lead break.
Clapton played a Clapton Strat all night, Andy F-L played a cream coloured Strat with what looked like just one Humbucker, I'll check this as I know his repairman and used a mandolin for putting on the Style.
Pete Townshend was set to appear and his gear was there. He would have used a small Fender amp which looked like a deluxe reverb.
Clapton had two tweed twins although they may have been Cornell amps hard to tell from where I was. The mix was great, very nice sound for a gym hall as well as the lighting which was excellent.
I have been to these parties many times and it never ceases to amaze me what a great atmosphere it is and how people have such a great time with not one drop of booze. Everyone takes picnics and just has a great time.
Clapton is at his most relaxed and his playing is effortless.the songs are clearly well known by the band but often Gary Brooker throws in a few ad libs which leaves the rest of the band confused as to where he's going which leaves a smiling happy Clapton just having a gig with his mates

Great fun , already looking forward to the event next year.

......we will not be playing Germany in 2009 at this time.

We thought you might be interested in the following show:

Eric Clapton

Liverpool Echo Arena 13th May 2009
Manchester Evening News Arena 14th May 2009
Royal Albert Hall London
16th May
17th May
19th May
20th May
22nd May
23rd May

BOOK TICKETS ON THIS SPECIAL PRE SALE FROM 23RD OCT 2008 9.00AM