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Eric Clapton Cancels Rock Hall Gig Due to Illness

Eric ClaptonEric Clapton has been forced to pull out of this week's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concerts at Madison Square Garden. According to his publicist, the 64-year-old guitarist, who recently had an operation to remove his gallstones, will instead be recuperating.

Clapton's appearance this Friday at the second show of a two-night celebration in New York honoring the hall's 25th anniversary was expected to be one of the highlights of the extravaganza. Via his official Website, Clapton said he was "very sorry to disappoint the fans and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame."

Spokespeople for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame said Monday that they wish Clapton all the best and have announced that guitarist Jeff Beck will fill in for his part of the show. Clapton, who had been expected to share the bill with U2, Aretha Franklin, Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne and Annie Lennox, says he remains committed to his 2010 concert schedule.

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tim Hunter

Eric clapton really does some good live in concerts.
He is truly a great entertainer in the music industry.
if you go see his concerts you will always get your moneys worth an more.

January 10 2010 at 12:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dr.John Stoetzel

Eric Clapton is the consummate musician. Anyone whom is a musician, recognizes Eric's amazing versatility and impactful longevity to music. Most of Clapton's fans, aren't musicians, but have admired and enjoyed his wonderful catalog of musical genius. Clapton is truly in a league of his own. Legend, please get better soon!
This is coming from a Jeff Beck fan. Jeff is also in league of his own. Although, his productivity and versatility pale in comparision to Eric Clapton's. Thus, Jeff Beck's impact, then and now on music, is obviously not in the same stratosphere as Clapton's. Yet, he is a brillantly unique and exceptional guitarist. Those of you who are not familiar with Jeff Beck, your truly in for a guitar god treat!

November 04 2009 at 1:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dogbal

Why is there a Rock N Roll Hall of Fame? Great artists are known for there talent and become legends. I hope Eric gets better and keeps playing live. A great guitarist. As for all the other comments, just appreciate your favorites and try to introduce the great artists from the past to the youth of today. My 11 year old son would rather listen to Clapton then the crap being produced today.

October 29 2009 at 2:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
diamondjimb

Clapton is huge;but Duane Allman had no peers!

October 28 2009 at 10:34 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Aprile

NO one comes close to Clapton!

October 28 2009 at 9:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lemmingsfollowyourleader

You get well soon ...Jeff will fill in fine...see you both at the next E>C>guitar festival

October 28 2009 at 8:57 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
greg

crapton cant tune Becks guitar...ive seen them both live(within the past 2 yrs) and, hands down, Jeff Beck was WAAAYY superior than ole blowhand, i mean slowhand...how did crapton get the title of great guitarist? crappy tone, bad songs, sloppy playing, i dont get it...people who like him are probably the same who think Kurt Cobain was a musical genious...

October 28 2009 at 8:48 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kelly

without Eric Clapton there probably would have been no Yard Birds without the Yard Birds there would have been no Led Zepplin. With oout Led Zepplin there would most likely have been no countless number of spin offs. The importance of Blues based Rock would have been greatly diminished.

Rush owes its existence to Cream who in effect created that hyperextended form of the endless Jam that goes on for 15 to 20 minutes. Eric Clapton is the corner stone of these forms of rock. We owe him a great deal of admiration. He is the guitar player all guitar players want to be. God Speed Eric!!

October 28 2009 at 8:22 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TeleDawg

Claps couldn't carry Beck's guitar!!

October 28 2009 at 8:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
J.L Webb

If GOD plays he learned from Clapton

October 28 2009 at 8:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply