Rock legends Eric Clapton, and Steve Winwood will unite once again this summer for a 14-city tour that follows the pair’s successful three-night New York City run last year.
The two former Blind Faith members hooked up for the three NYC shows last February after Winwood had joined Clapton during his summer 2007 set at Chicago’s Crossroads Guitar Festival, where the two performed a few tunes from Winwood’s old band Traffic.
The newly announced trek gets underway June 10 in East Rutherford, NJ, and runs through the end of the month, with venues scaled to arena-sized for most of the trip. Dates are included below
“I have wanted to play with Steve for a long time,” Clapton said in a press statement announcing the New York City shows from last year. “I consider him a friend and a truly gifted musician. Our set at the Crossroads Festival this summer was a real treat, so I expect these shows will be good fun for us and for the fans.”
Blind Faith, which initially placed the pair together, came about in 1969, after the breakup of Clapton’s group Cream, and while Winwood’s Traffic was on hiatus. The group, which also included bassist Ric Grech and Cream drummer Ginger Baker, released one self-titled album before splitting.
Last spring Winwood released “Nine Lives,” his first solo album since 2003′s “About Time.” The set debuted at No. 12 on The Billboard 200 chart, selling about 26,000 copies during its first week in stores.
Clapton’s latest album, “The Road to Escondido,” pairs him with his hero J.J. Cale. The 2006 release, which runs the spectrum of blues, rock, country and folk, is streaming at Clapton’s website.
June 2009
10 – East Rutherford, NJ – Izod Center
12 – Philadelphia, PA – Wachovia Center
13 – Washington, DC – Verizon Center
15 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
17 – Chicago, IL – United Center
18 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
20 – Omaha, NE – Qwest Center
21 – Denver, CO – Pepsi Center
23 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
24 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
26 – Glendale, AZ – Jobing.com Arena
27 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Arena
29 – Oakland, CA – Oracle Arena
30 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl