Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck Announce North American Concerts

The guitar gods have spoken: The pairing of Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck is coming to a few select venues in 2010, the first time the two have toured together. Live Daily reports that along with two previously announced shows at London's O2 Arena on Feb. 13 and 14, the duo will hit Madison Square Garden on Feb. 18. From there, they'll head north to Canada for shows in Toronto and Montreal on Feb. 21 and 22.

These last two dates offer a bit of déjà vu: The two first teamed up for a co-headlining appearance on Feb. 21 and 22 of this year at Saitama, Japan's Super Arena and the resulting effort seems to have sparked the genesis of these new dates. "I've always considered Jeff Beck to be one of the finest guitar players around," Clapton said in a statement. "He's a friend, a great guy, and a truly gifted musician. We had such a fun time in Japan that it seemed natural to play together again."

The Japan shows featured two one-hour sets from each musician and a 30-minute set with Beck joining Eric Clapton and his band.

Clapton and Beck's history dates back to the 1960s, when Beck stepped in for Clapton as the full-time guitarist in the Yardbirds. More recently, Clapton has tapped Beck to participate in his short-lived 'Crossroads Guitar Festival' in both 2004 and 2007. At the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame shows this past October, Beck filled in for Clapton after the latter bowed out due to gallstone surgery.