Eric Clapton has introduced a pair of all-star tribute concerts for onetime rival Jeff Beck, to be held Could 22-23 on the Royal Albert Corridor in London.
Already confirmed visitors stars embrace Jeff Beck Group singer Rod Stewart, Billy Gibbons, former Allman Brothers Band member Derek Trucks, John McLaughlin, Joss Stone, Gary Clark Jr., Doyle Bramhall, Robert Randolph, Imelda Could and Johnny Depp – the latter of whom collaborated on Beck’s last album, 18. The reveals have been introduced along side Beck’s widow, Sandra. Extra particulars are still to come.
Beck died in January after contracting bacterial meningitis. He was 78.
He and Clapton constructed their legends as members of the Yardbirds and each appeared on 1965’s Having a Rave Up – however they have been by no means a part of the lineup on the similar time. Clapton performed guitar within the band from 1963-65 earlier than leaving for John Mayall‘s extra structured Bluesbreakers, whereas Beck was a member of the Yardbirds in 1965-66.
“I do know he did not like the truth that I took over from him within the Yardbirds and we did nice,” Beck advised Classic Rock in 2021. “The final buzz of the band was that they thought they have been completed when Eric left. At my debut with the Yardbirds on the Marquee, I confirmed them what was what and I acquired a standing ovation, in order that was the tip of that.”
In fact, mutual respect was there all alongside. “I at all times tuned in to Jeff, all by way of my life,” Clapton later told author David Fricke. He took the stage in February to play a standard Irish traveler’s lament referred to as “Sam Corridor” after Beck died.
Their first billed onstage efficiency collectively would not occur till 1981’s Secret Policeman’s Other Ball, an Amnesty Worldwide profit live performance held in London. Beck and Clapton additionally performed the Motion into Analysis for A number of Sclerosis profit for ailing Small Faces co-founder Ronnie Lane in 1983.
Extra lately, they did a sequence of shared dates in 2010, together with stops on the O2 Area and Madison Sq. Backyard, amongst others. Beck and Clapton performed collectively once more in 2017, the identical 12 months Beck was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.
Any rivalry that was as soon as there had lengthy since dissipated. Every time, nonetheless, they stayed effectively away from their Yardbirds repertoire. “He got here to play on a few numbers I did at Ronnie Scott’s final 12 months and it was actually good enjoyable,” Beck advised Rolling Stone in 2017. “There was no type of ‘I am higher than you’ factor happening.” As for returning to songs from their early band? “Eric does not just like the Yardbirds,” Beck argued.
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