Slowhand Stops Strumming: Eric Clapton Confirms Retirement After 50 Years Of Touring

After 50 years of touring on the road, legendary musician Eric Clapton is ready to retire. In an interview with Uncut magazine, Clapton said that he touring has become “unbearable.”

“The road has become unbearable. It’s become unapproachable, because it takes so long to get anywhere. It’s hostile – everywhere: getting in and out of airports, traveling on planes and in cars.”

This is not the first time Clapton hinted retiring. In 2013, he told Rolling Stone that he would stop touring when he is 70. The guitarist is now 69 years old and he said that he is looking at retirement.

“What I’ll allow myself to do, within reason, is carry on recording in the studio. I don’t want to go off the boil to the point where I’m embarrassing myself.”

He also said that he may stop playing the guitar completely if it physically hurts too much. “I have ailments,” he said.

The British musician also said that he has lost his love for touring as most countries are now “a different version of America.”

Eric Clapton started his music career with the blues rock and roll band The Yardbirds in 1963. He was able to create his signature style, which made him one of the most talked about guitarists in the British music scene. Back then, he was known for his guitar solos and would sometimes break strings. While replacing strings on stage, the audience would do slow handclaps until the strings were replaced. He was also nicknamed “Slowhand” by music manager Giorgio Gomelsky.

After his stint with The Yardbirds, Clapton joined John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, but quit a few months later. His next band was Cream, where he was able to develop his singing and songwriting. By 1967, Clapton was known as Britain’s top guitarist.

Throughout his career, Clapton joined other bands, such as Blind Faith and Derek and the Dominos before embarking on a solo career.

On the interview with Uncut, Clapton also talked about his views on reuniting with Cream. “I haven’t spoken to Jack or Ginger for quite a time.” He said that the last time he spoke to them was at their show in Madison Square Garden in 2005.

“After that I was pretty convinced that we had gone as far as we could without someone getting killed. At this time in my life I don’t want blood on my hands! I don’t want to be part of some kind of tragic confrontation.”

Eric Clapton is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. One as a member of Cream, another as a member of The Yardbirds, and the last one as a solo artist. He has been referred to as one of the most influential and important guitarists of all time.

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