I almost spilled my coffee this morning when I read in the Bangkok Post that Eric Clapton is coming to Bangkok on 16 February, 2011. He will be playing at the Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani. This is a big venue on the outskirts of Bangkok.
Eric Clapton started out as one of the original British Bluesmen that emulated the style of Black American Blues guitarists. Early videos of Clapton show that Clapton was instrumental in developing the blues based rock genre. Early videos of Clapton playing with BB King and other Blues legends show Clapton demonstrating more complex lead formation and greater use of varying guitar effects. He was one of the original crossover musicians to bridge the gap between traditional blues and blues based rock and roll. I personally think the acoustic version of Bell Bottom Blues highlights Clapton’s musicianship better than his electric guitar work. See for example Bell Bottom Blues unplugged . One of the greatest ballads in recent history is Tears in Heaven and shows the depth of Clapton’s artistry. For those of you who do not know the story behind this ballad, well, look it up and you will understand the sweet haunting feeling that this song creates.
Eric Clapton is also one of the few musicians not to shy away from Asian tours. If musicians do tour Asia, it is in the following order. Japan is a must go and almost every Asian tour stops there. Seoul and Hong Kong are occasionally visited. Indonesia and Malaysia and Singapore are still higher than Thailand and Thailand is one of the least popular places for name bands to come and tour.
This could be because audiences just do not turn out in Thailand for Western performers. My friends and I saw Deep Purple earlier this year and the auditorium contained about 5,000 people, a mix of Thais and foreigners. Most Thais listen to Thai music. Thai rock bands are numerous.
Eric Clapton probably likes Thailand and that is the reason that he appears in Thailand more frequently. He is probably rich enough not to have to worry about making his tours as profitable as possible.
Clapton in concert Bangkok 16 February 2011: http://www.thaiticketmajor.com/concert/eric-clapton-2011-eng.php
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
if the concert was on a friday or saturday night i would be there…but because i live in the north of thailand i am unable to get time off to sse the concert.i would have to take two days off work to be able to see him during the wee…..eric clapton is a legend and would it would be great to see hime live in bangkok. i will buy his latest album / dvd the next time i am in bangkok
if the concert was on a friday or saturday night i would be there…but because i live in the north of thailand i am unable to get time off to sse the concert.i would have to take two days off work to be able to see him during the wee…..eric clapton is a legend and would it would be great to see hime live in bangkok. i will buy his latest album / dvd the next time i am in bangkok ..