"God" Coming to Tampa May 3

UPDATE: According to the Associated Press, North Korean officials have invited Eric Clapton to rock the Communist state, a diplomat at the country's embassy in London said Tuesday. Clapton had been officially invited to Pyongyang — the first such invitation to a Western rock star to the isolated nation.

The Financial Times reported that Clapton had agreed in principle and suggested 2009 for the gig.

In perhaps the coolest twist to the story: Kim Jong Chol, the Swiss-educated son of national leader Kim Jong Il, is reportedly a huge Clapton fan.

Okay, back to the local item...

The first week in May just got concert-clogged, as Clapton has announced a May 3 stop at Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa. The 62-year-old dubbed "God" by guitar geeks arrives two days before Kanye West (5/5) and then Radiohead (5/6) at the same joint. I'll no doubt review all three.

I'm actually more excited about EC's opening act, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, the tent-revival master of "the sacred steel." I saw Randolph live in D.C. and it remains a life-affirming experience.

Tickets go on sale Saturday March 1 at 10 a.m. The prices ain't cheap: $125, $85, $70, $49.50; $29.50 for lawn seats. To get your Clapton seats, call Ticketmaster at (813) 287-884 or go to ticketmaster.com.

I've seen Clapton a few times, and it's always been an efficient but satisfying show. If he plays "Forever Man" and "Pretending," all will be right in the world.

Comments

[Marissa]

Whoa! Cool beans!
When I was freshly 21, I briefly dated a guy who looked like Eric Clapton. Ironically, his name was Eric. He taught me how to fling a beer bottle from a moving car. Not a skill to put on a resume. Yeah, good times.

Anyway, I would LOVE to see Robert Randolph and the Family Band. One of my ringtones is of them --"ain't nothin' wrong with that"

[jane]

Efficient but satisfying is a great way to describe a Clapton show. Saw him once at, believe it or not, Tropicana Field.

Plethora of riches at the Amp in May -- might as well get a suite at the Hard Rock and make an event of it!

[Tonka61]

Can't wait for this...

[Ron]

Robert Randolph and the family band is one of the greatest jam bands few people have heard of. I love Clapton but RRFB seals the deal for me. I must to to this show!!

[Art]

In my opinion, from his very beginning playing with the Yardbirds (in which he played next to Jimmy Page, can you imagine?) and then the BluesBreakers, to his days with Cream (the single most talented Rock and Roll group ever assembled IMO--not the most successful or greatest loved, just the most talented with Clapton, Jeff Beck [Bass], and Ginger Baker [Drums]),D&B&F, Derek and the Dominoes, and then solo, Clapton, despite his one time problem with drugs, is, IMO, the greatest all around Blues and Rock Guitarist of all time--yes, better than Hendrix for many reasons IMO. He's FAR better than Duane Allman (see Wikipedia under Clapton and follow the links to see Rolling Stone's entire Top 100 list), but then Rolling Stone didn't even give Earl Klugh or Stanley Jordan a spot in the top 100... Huh?? Both belong in the top 5! I think Eric Clapton along with his unprecedented staying power as a guitarist, has proven himself successful wherever he goes, and on whatever he works. He's probably the most underrated and unappreciated musician in the last 50 years. IMO, there's never been anyone better at what he does. Of course, there are some Spanish and Jazz Guitartists who are phenomenal (and put most Rock guitarists to shame), but their style doesn't have that kind of popularity in the U.S.. When it comes to pure Rock and Roll and/or Blues Rock, give me Clapton over anyone, even B.B. King (Rolling Stone's top pick).

[Spears]

Eric Clapton is the reason I stopped going to concerts. Expensive seats, bad seats, awful acoustics, and no stage presence by Clapton. I could have just played a CD of his, and saved myself the aggravation and cost.

It would take about 10 years before I'd see another concert after this fiasco.

[Mike]

Art-Jack Bruce played bass for Cream. Jeff Beck was also Yardbirds alumni... No need to insult Duane Allman!! Clapton loved his playing - see Derek and the Dominos. No real way to tell what kind of impact Duane would have had if he lived to 62. That being said, saw Clapton in Orlando last tour and was blown away. The man doesn't miss a note. Jimi and Eric are by far the most influential guitarists ever. I wouldn't miss this for the world. R.Randolph is no slouch himself. Great opening act. Some consider him the Hendrix of the pedal steel. Glad to see some decent acts coming around again - especially to the amphitheatre. They attract way too much Toby Keith-esque music to that place.

[Tonka61]

Clapton and Page were never in the Yardbirds at the same time. The only time the Yardbirds had a two guitarist attack was for a short period of time with Beck and Page. They may have played alongside each other during sessions, but they were never in the band together.

[Seth]

Better than Duane? Not even close.

[Al]

Time to mangle some Clapton:

"Sean's Waaaaaitin....ba bbummmmm da daaaaaa daaaa daaaa"

[DG]

I was up in NYC for the last Clapton/Winwood concerts. Clapton did perform "Forever Man"...It was actually the first time I've ever seen him play it and I've seen him nearly 10 times since 1991. The song sounded fantastic.