From the Press Release; The only private residence designed by MOCA’s celebrated Japanese architect, Arata Isozaki, will hit the market at $2.5m. Sale includes a never released, solo recording Clapton left behind. The current owner, a volunteer in Sri Lanka after the 2004 Tsunami, will donate funds over the market price to current relief efforts in Japan. The property boasts thirty-foot ceilings with giant triangular skylights and solid teak decks. Owned by Mr. Clapton for five years until 2003, the…

Clapton raised $2.2 million at a Bonhams auction, as buyers competed for his guitars, amplifiers and other memorabilia. The total for the sale, which will benefit Eric’s Crossroads Center Antigua for drug and alcohol rehabilitation, was nearly four times its presale total of $400,000 to $600,000. Clapton fans, dealers and collectors pushed the prices for most pieces far above their estimates and every one of the 138 items were sold. A 2008 Martin acoustic guitar on which Clapton played the…

We reported last December about Gibson’s signature Clapton Beano Les Paul reissue. Well, apparently Eric liked it so much it is already up for sale. His #1 signature Gibson will go under the hammer at Bonham’s auctioneers on March 9th, along with around 70 other guitars, 70 amps and miscellaneous memorabilia. All proceeds go to the The Crossroads Centre in Antigua, the drug and alcohol dependency rehabilitation center that Clapton founded. At launch, the list price for the hand-aged and…

According to one of the documents recently leaked, North Korea asked the US to arrange an Eric Clapton concert in Pyongyang, saying that it could help to persuade Kim Jong-il to allow humanitarian aid into the country. A confidential cable dated 22 May 2007 from the US ambassador in Seoul to Washington reveals North Korean officials “suggested” to the Americans that because Kim Jong-il’s second son, Kim Jong-chol, was “a great fan” of the British guitarist, a “performance could be…

Bonhams are to hold a an auction of more than 150 lots from Eric Clapton’s personal collection. The sale will feature over 70 guitars and 70 amps that have helped create Clapton’s legendary sound. This is the first time the rock icon has donated so many of his historic amplifiers to auction, giving the public a rare opportunity to purchase a piece of Clapton history. The sale takes place in New York City at the Bonhams salesroom on Wednesday, 9…

Eric Clapton has donated over 20 paintings to a sale in Britain last week to raise money for the Red Cross. The Chelsea Red Cross charity shop – famous for its stock of vintage and designer clothes – has held many successful sale events in the past, although not as successful as this one: over $7,800 was raised. “The sale was a huge success,” said Cathy Shimmell, store manager. “My wonderful customers and other kind people have been so generous…

Interesting article from the Financial Times on Clapton and the fate of the guitar solo. Eric Clapton returns to his spiritual home at London’s Royal Albert Hall tonight for the start of an 11-night run of concerts. The stately pleasure dome, opened in 1871, is the celebrated guitarist’s favourite venue and he has a tradition of playing long residencies there, like an upmarket bluesman in the plushest bar in town. The historical setting is apt, for the mild-looking 64-year-old in…