Great news for those who live near the Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, as Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, two guitar gods, have announced to play there two shows together, on February 21st and 22nd.

21 February / Saitama Super Arena - doors open 16:00 - 17:00 start
22 February / Saitama Super Arena - doors open 16:00 - 17:00 start

What is so remarkable is that this is the first time the duo have ever shared the bill for major arena shows. Of, course, over the years, they have performed together at album sessions, benefits and festivals including The Secret Policeman’s Ball for Amnesty International (1981) and the ARMS Concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 1983, Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festivals in 2004 and 2007 or at Ronnie Scott’s Club in London in November 2007, but never in such a concert. besides, they both will be on solo tours of Japan during February 2009. These two special concerts at the Saitama Super Arena will be their only joint appearances.

Described by Rolling Stone as “one of the most influential lead guitarists in rock, Jeff Beck has helped shape blues rock, psychedelia, and heavy metal“. The magazine ranked Beck 14th in a poll of ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time‘, while Clapton ranked Number Four. the 64 year–old Beck was awarded the Blues Artist of the Year Award, and has been nominated for 2009 induction into the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame as a solo artist.

Both musicians came from the same English background due to the British band called the Yardbirds which lists Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page among its famous alumni too. After the Yardbirds’ hit “For Your Love,” Clapton exited the band in 1965 because he wanted to protest against the band’s movement from blues to pop sound. Jeff Beck then took his place and for two years, he featured on most of their well-known classics like Heart Full of Soul and Shape of Things, before leaving the band in 1968. Jimmy Page formed a band in late 1968 called the new Yardbirds, also known by the name Led Zeppelin.
Closing the Yardbirds chapter, Clapton and Beck went on to create a promising career. Clapton was a member Cream, Blind Faith, Derek & The Dominoes and had a successful solo career, while Beck fronted the Jeff Beck Band and also enjoyed a noteworthy solo run. Now, more than 40 years after the original Yardbirds disbanded, the two will finally be together on a stage in Japan.

Anyway, if by some chance, you live in Japan or have a way of getting there, take note that tickets go on sale for the shows on 17 January at the price of 17,000 Yen / 15,000 Yen / 13,000 Yen / 10,000 Yen, according to www.whereseric.com

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 8th, 2009 at 3:52 pm and is filed under News.