Exclusive pictures: Eric Clapton hits 200 Royal Albert Hall shows
Music icon Eric Clapton has completed a run of 7 concerts at the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate his 70th birthday.
The May 2015 run saw Clapton surpass an unfathomable 200 Hall performances, with ‘Slowhand’ now boasting a staggering 205 appearances at London’s most iconic venue to date, including 178 headline shows.
He once likened performing at the Hall to “playing in my front room”, and after reaching his double century of shows it’s hardly surprising.
The legendary guitarist was in superb form as ever at the run of dates, with a full house welcoming him every night.
Clapton dedicated the concert on 15 May to his friend and mentor, blues legend B.B. King. Earlier that day he posted a Facebook tribute to his ‘dear friend’.
As if Clapton wasn’t celebrating enough milestones, the announcement of the run coincided with the 50th anniversary of his Hall debut, a Yardbirds concert on 7 December 1964.
For more on Clapton’s previous Hall appearances, including footage from Cream concerts and a tribute to George Harrison, see our feature on Eric Clapton’s most memorable Hall moments.
The guitarist was joined each night by Paul Carrack, Steve Gadd, Nathan East, Chris Stainton, Sharon White and Michelle John.
Fans were treated to a hit-packed set, featuring Clapton classics Wonderful Tonight, Layla and Tears in Heaven.
So it’s now ’205 not out’ at London’s most iconic venue for one of music’s all-time greats.
So congratulations, Eric, for becoming the first rock artist to hit this milestone. Here’s to the next 200!
All images: Christie Goodwin
www.christiegoodwin.com
Setlist
From Eric Clapton’s 200th Royal Albert Hall show, 15 May 2015 – dedicated to B.B. King:
Somebody’s Knocking (J.J. Cale cover)
Key to the Highway (Charles Segar cover)
Pretending
Hoochie Coochie Man (Willie Dixon cover)
You Are So Beautiful (Billy Preston cover)
Can’t Find My Way Home
I Shot the Sheriff (The Wailers cover)
Driftin’ Blues (Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers cover)
Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out (Jimmy Cox cover)
Tears in Heaven
Layla
Before You Accuse Me (Bo Diddley cover)
Little Queen of Spades (Robert Johnson cover)
Let It Rain
Wonderful Tonight
Cross Road Blues (Robert Johnson cover)
Cocaine (J.J. Cale cover)
High Time We Went with Andy Fairweather Low (Joe Cocker cover)