Surge Music Gig Guide

CLASSIC CLAPTON the World's No1 Eric Clapton Tribute Band, featuring Clapton clone Mike Hall will be appearing at a venue near you soon! In 2005 they are undertaking a 20th Anniversary Tour throughout the UK.

The band was formed as After Midnight in 1985 in Newcastle upon Tyne, taking their name from one of EC’s hits. Their ability to re-create Clapton’s electrifying stage performances really caught the audience’s imagination. In guitar/vocalist Mike Hall, the band possesses a front man who not only looks like Eric, he sings and plays guitar like him too!

In 1999, Mike won a national look-alike competition held at Madam Tussauds in London. Mike has met Slowhand twice, and even received a message of encouragement from the guitar maestro (written on a Concorde menu).

TYNE TEES TELEVISION were so impressed, they made a programme about them, called 'COVER THEIR TRACKS'. They filmed the band's concert at Newcastle Opera House in front of 600 ecstatic fans. It was shown in August 2000 and received rave reviews, leading to national recognition.

In 2001 they embarked on an extensive tour of UK Theatres. They called the tribute show "CLASSIC CLAPTON". Since then, they have continued to perform throughout the UK and Europe including concerts at The Royal Festival Hall, London and a triumphant appearance at Glastonbury Festival in 2002. The band headlined an international music festival in Estonia and toured Ireland extensively in 2004.

They have released 2 albums. Their first album “THE MUSIC OF ERIC CLAPTON” contains brilliant cover-versions of 17 Clapton Classics. Their second album is a live double CD ''CLASSIC CLAPTON Unplugged'' which was recorded at Belfast Waterfront Hall. Both albums are available for purchase at their concerts.

CLASSIC CLAPTON comprises 4 excellent musicians:- Mike Hall (lead vocals/guitar), Vince Mason (drums) and John Forster (bass guitar/backing vocals). John played in a band with John Miles when they were both up & coming musicians. On keyboards is Paul Warren.

Eric Clapton has been a major international star since the mid 1960’s, when he revolutionised electric guitar playing with virtuoso performances in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. He has won an incredible 16 Grammies and is the only triple inductee into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (as a member of both The Yardbirds and Cream and also as a solo artist).

If fans want to hear all of EC's hits played live, they really should attend a CLASSIC CLAPTON concert. They will be performing authentic versions of all the popular Clapton Classics including Wonderful Tonight, Tears in Heaven, Crossroads, Lay Down Sally, I Shot The Sheriff, Sunshine of Your Love, Cocaine and of course Layla!

The whole of Clapton’s illustrious career will be covered including The Bluesbreakers, Cream, Derek & The Dominos and the solo years. There will even be an “UNPLUGGED” segment.

NEARLY 2 HOURS OF CLASSIC CLAPTON