Eric Clapton Takes the Stage with Joe Bonamassa at the RAH

by Staff.

What could be better for contemporary blues-rock artist Joe Bonamassa than selling out London's Royal Albert Hall? Being joined on stage by the man whose name is so closely associated with both the history of the venue and the blues-rock genre, Eric Clapton, who made a guest appearance at last night's sold-out Bonamassa show to perform "Further On Up The Road." Bonamassa described the experience as, "Twenty years of professional sweat and toil all culminating into one moment." Clapton, who first took the stage at the RAH on December 7, 1964, with the Yardbirds, will again hold court in the venue for 11 performances May 16 - 31, with May 19 marking his 150th solo concert at the RAH. In June, Clapton tours the United States for 14 shows in a reunion with Blind Faith keyboardist Steve Winwood.

Last night's RAH concert was part of Bonamassa's United Kingdom, Europe and U.S. tour in support of his February 24, 2009, release, The Ballad of John Henry, which debuted in the number one spot on Billboard's Blues Chart (as did Bonamassa's previous studio release, Sloe Gin). He's now on the European leg of the tour, which wraps on August 1 at the Notodden Blues Festival in Norway, after which he returns to the U.S. for a number of dates in August, October and November before heading back to Europe on October 23 for a show at the Olympia in Paris.

Listen to samples from Joe Bonamassa's album The Ballad Of John Henry

While a guest appearance by three-time Rock And Roll Hall of Famer Eric Clapton during a soldout RAH concert qualifiies as a milestone in 31-year-old (he turns 32 on May 8) Bonamassa's career, it's but one of a series of events signalling the growing recognition of his talent. He was featured on the cover of the April, 2009, edition of Guitar Player, recently won “Best Blues Guitarist" in that magazine's readers’ choice polls for the third consecutive year, and in 2008 was honored with the issuing of the “Inspired By Joe Bonamassa Aged Les Paul Goldtop” from Gibson Custom.

Related Links
Eric Clapton's 2009 Tour Itinerary
Joe Bonamassa's 2009 Tour Itinerary
Joe Bonamassa Talks about Sloe Gin (2007)
Joe Bonamassa Interview (2006)

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