Rod Stewart Tour Pushback

You heard it here first!!

BPD has just learned that, due to delays in finalizing his first studio album with original material in 2 decades, "Rod the Mod" will soon announce the rescheduling of his April "Live the Life" tour with Steve Winwood into the Fall.

As things stand right now, here are the new US dates and venues:

Oct. 17 – Greensboro, N.C., Greensboro Coliseum
Oct. 19 – Atlanta, Ga., Philips Arena
Oct. 24 – Chicago, Ill., United Center
Oct. 26 – Auburn Hills, Mich., Palace Of Auburn Hills
Dec. 4 – Boston, Mass., TD Garden
Dec. 7 – Newark, N.J., Prudential Center
Dec. 9 – New York, N.Y., Madison Square Garden
Dec. 11 – Philadelphia, Pa., Wells Fargo Center

All pass requests for the April shows have been cancelled and new requests must be made for the new schedule.

Here's one of Rod's shorter, full shows from late last year.

Member Review: Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood

Earlier this year, we were the first to announce Eric and Stevie's limited tour. BPD member SavannahSexDrive jumped right on it and ended up with a pair of passes. Here's what he had to say about their recent show:

Back in the 60s, "Clapton is God" would be written on the walls of London after Clapton concerts. Now I truly understand why. Add in another legend to the mix and that is where the real pantsdropping begins. Eric Clapton was a mad man on the guitar, ripping out solos with such amazing speed that I began to wonder how he could be doing that with just his two hands. I heard his live performances before on youtube and such, but being there was entirely different.

It also must be said both Clapton and Winwood worked extremely well together, as Winwood's wonderful vocals, piano playing, and guitar perfectly complimented Clapton's guitar. Eric was totally ON. Blistering fast up and down the neck. His Strat sounded crisp, warm and blazing. As for Stevie Winwood, how can he still sound that good?!?! I closed my eyes and it was if they were playing 40 years ago. And that band! Tight. All together, they made an unstoppable blues driven frenzy of guitar madness mixed with insane piano playing.

I was so happy that they played Voodoo Chile, which turned out to be one of the best covers I've heard. However I was a little let down by Layla as Clapton didn't really put too much power or soloing into it, as the solo was taken away by the piano. And don't get me wrong the piano playing was amazing and fit in the song perfectly, but I wanted to see Clapton let loose as he did on is Unplugged album. I also was a tad dissapointed that they didn't play a few other songs, such as Little Wing, Bell Bottom Blues, Sunshine of Your Love, or Badge.

However, it was still absolutely amazing. I've tried watching some of Claptons previous live performances on this tour, but I feel he just unleashed tonight. Simply put, it was a pants dropping mesmerizing crazy experience ... and I couldn't get enough of it.

About meeting Eric and Steve backstage, how to describe it? One Word - Unbelievable. I did not know what to expect and I was completely blown away. They were down to earth and, dare I say it(?), regular guys. Wow, who'da thunk it.

Set List:

01. Had To Cry Today
02. Low Down
03. After Midnight
04. Presence of The Lord
05. Sleeping in the Ground
06. Glad
07. Well Alright
08. Tough Luck Blues
09. Pearly Queen
10. There's A River
11. Forever Man
12. Georgia On My Mind - Steve Winwood solo
13. Driftin' - acoustic
14. How Long Blues
15. Layla - acoustic version
16. Can't Find My Way Home
17. Split Decision
18. Voodoo Chile

Encore:
19. Cocaine
20. Dear Mr. Fantasy

Band Lineup:
Eric Clapton - guitar, vocals
Steve Winwood - vocals, Hammond B3, piano, guitar
Chris Stainton - keyboards
Willie Weeks - bass
Abe Laboriel, Jr. - drums
Michelle John - backing vocals
Sharon White - backing vocals

Here's the only way I can sum it up: seeing Clapton and Winwood, healthy and in top form, reminds one that, as Albert Einstein once said in reference to Mahatma Gandhi, "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this walked the earth in flesh and blood."

Thank you ever so much BackstagePassDirect for making this happen.

Who'da thunk it indeed!!

Two Legends, One Month, 14 Shows

Eric Clapton. Steve Winwood.

The names say it all. Two of the biggest legends in rock are again joining forces in a sweet co-headline, 14-city U.S. tour beginning June 10 in New Jersey.

Of course, this isn’t the first time the two rockers have worked together. Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood were charter members, along with Ginger Baker and Rick Grech, of the 1969 super group Blind Faith.

More recently, Clapton and Winwood played the 2007 Chicago Crossroads Festival. Then, they did three nights at New York’s Madison Square Garden in 2008, considered the first full Winwood / Clapton concerts in 40 years.

Now, they are re-uniting for 14 shows across the U.S. in June.

06/10/09 East Rutherford, NJ Izod Center

06/12/09 Philadelphia, PA The Wachovia Center

06/13/09 Washington, DC Verizon Center

06/15/09 Columbus, OH Schottenstein Center

06/17/09 Chicago, IL United Center

06/18/09 Saint Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center

06/20/09 Omaha, NE Qwest Center Omaha

06/21/09 Denver, CO Pepsi Center

06/23/09 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center

06/24/09 Houston, TX Toyota Center

06/26/09 Glendale, AZ Jobing.com Arena

06/27/09 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena

06/29/09 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena

06/30/09 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Bowl

Nothing more need be added by us. If you're already a BPD member, better get your request in ASAP. If you're not yet a member but would love to stand beside these two giants, join BackstagePassDirect today.