CLASSIC CLAPTON -The Sage Gateshead...

CLASSIC CLAPTON will be making a welcome return to The Sage Gateshead in March.

The band will be performing at The Sage Gateshead on Friday 29 March. Doors open 7.30pm, band on stage 8pm. Tickets priced £12.50 are available from the box office, Tel: (0191) 443 4661 and also on-line at www.thesagegateshead.org The band has a huge following on Tyneside and has not appeared at The Sage Gateshead since 2008. Their last appearance quickly sold out so demand should be high. Fans are advised to book early!

They will perform all of EC's classic songs including Wonderful Tonight, Tears in Heaven, Crossroads, I Shot The Sheriff, Cocaine, Lay Down Sally and of course Layla! There will even be an “UNPLUGGED” segment.

NEARLY 2 HOURS OF CLASSIC CLAPTON

The band was formed in 1985 in Newcastle long before the term “tribute band” was invented and named themselves ''After Midnight'' after Eric Clapton’s first solo hit. In the past 27 years they have become one of the best-loved bands in the North East.

In guitar/vocalist Mike Hall, the band possesses a front man who not only looks like Eric, he sings and plays guitar like him too! In 1999, he won a national look-alike competition held at Madam Tussauds. Mike has met EC twice, and even received a message of encouragement from the guitar maestro (written on a Concorde menu).

TYNE TEES TELEVISION were so impressed that they made a programme about them, called 'COVER THEIR TRACKS'. It was shown in August 2000 and received rave reviews, leading to national recognition. Recently Mike was filmed by Japanese TV for a documentary about Slowhand's classic song Layla. The programme was shown on BS Fuji TV Japan on 3rd January 2013.

In 2001 they embarked on their first extensive tour of UK Theatres. They called the tribute show "CLASSIC CLAPTON". Since then, they have continued to perform throughout the UK & Ireland including concerts at The Royal Festival Hall, London and a triumphant appearance at Glastonbury Festival in 2002. In the past few years they have performed numerous concerts in Europe including Spain, Estonia and Holland.

In 2009 they appeared at St Andrews Auditorium in Mumbai. A 10,000 mile round-trip for 1 gig, but it was a great experience. In December 2010 they made their first ever appearance at Newcastle City Hall. 800 people travelled from throughout the UK to help the band celebrate their 25^th Anniversary. Video footage of the concert can be seen on the band’s website.

CLASSIC CLAPTON comprises 4 excellent musicians:- Mike Hall (lead vocals/guitar) & Paul Warren (keyboards/ backing vocals). Since their last appearance in 2008 they have been re-joined by Danny Davison (drums) and Dave Robson (bass guitar /backing vocals). Dave is a former member of chart band Geordie. In fact he was with them at the time Brian Johnson left to join AC/DC. Dave & Danny were both original members of CLASSIC CLAPTON.

CLASSIC CLAPTON have released three albums. Firstly “THE MUSIC OF ERIC CLAPTON” contains brilliant cover-versions of 17 Clapton Classics. Their second is a live double CD ''CLASSIC CLAPTON Unplugged'' recorded at Belfast Waterfront Hall. In 2005 they released their third album “CLASSIC CREAM” – featuring 20 songs made famous by the sixties supergroup. All three albums will be available at The Sage Gateshead.

Eric Clapton has been a major international star since the mid 1960's, when he revolutionised electric guitar playing, with his virtuoso performances in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. He has won an incredible 19 Grammies and is the only triple inductee into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of The Yardbirds, Cream and as a solo artist). Clapton has just announced the release of his first studio album since 2010 – entitled “Old Sock”. (nice title). The record is a collection of some of Clapton's favourite songs throughout his life and long career. The numbers span a wide range of styles. The album also contains two original songs plus collaborations with Paul McCartney, JJ Cale & Chaka Khan. The official release date for the record is March 12.

Eric Clapton’s recent tours unfortunately have visited only a limited number of large UK venues. If fans want to hear all of his hits performed in more intimate surroundings, they really should attend a CLASSIC CLAPTON concert. The whole of Clapton's illustrious career will be covered including Cream, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, The Yardbirds, Blind Faith, Derek & The Dominos and the solo years.

Please visit our web-site:- www.classic-clapton.com