CLASSIC CLAPTON the World's No1 Eric Clapton Tribute Band featuring Clapton clone Mike Hall will be appearing at a venue near you soon!
The band was formed in 1985 in Newcastle upon Tyne long before the term “tribute band” was invented, and named themselves ''After Midnight'' after Eric Clapton’s first solo hit. 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 has toured Ireland, Scotland and Wales numerous times. They headlined an international music festival in Estonia in 2004 and were invited back for another successful concert in April 2007. They also appeared at the prestigious Sotogrande Blues Festival in Spain in August 2007 and were invited back to Spain to perform at The Star Café, Madrid in January 2008.
In the past 22 years CLASSIC CLAPTON have become something of a rock institution.
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/backing vocals is new recruit Paul Warren from Teesside.
Eric Clapton’s recent tours unfortunately have visited only a limited number of large UK arenas. If fans want to hear all of his hits performed in more intimate surroundings, 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, The Yardbirds, Derek & The Dominos and the solo years. There will even be an “UNPLUGGED” segment.