Eric Clapton on touring: "When I'm 70, I'll stop"
If Eric Clapton sticks to his word, he will retire from touring in three years.
The 67-year-old singer-guitarist told Rolling Stone that the traveling takes a toll: "The bit onstage, that's easy. If I could do that around my neighborhood, that would be great. You have guys in Texas that play their circuit, and it keeps them alive. But for me, the struggle is the travel. And the only way you can beat that is by throwing so much money at it that you make a loss."
He added: "So the idea is I'm taking a leaf out of JJ [Cale]'s book: When I'm 70, I'll stop. I won't stop playing or doing one-offs, but I'll stop touring, I think."
Clapton revealed he doesn't like dealing with immigration officials and security, saying, "I never get it right. I forget to take off my belt, or I have change in my pocket. Next thing I know, 'Can you come over here please?' I just don't want to do that anymore."
Fans, though, will get to hear some new music from "Slowhand" himself, when his new album, "Old Sock," comes out on March 21. It features guest appearances by Paul McCartney, singer-songwriter JJ Cale, Chaka Khan and Steven Winwood.
And clearly, Clapton isn't calling it a day just yet. He has slew of arena tour dates lined up from March through June of this year. He's also hosting the Crossroads Guitar Festival at Madison Square Garden in April. Check out his full tour date lineup here.
Clapton's full interview appears on the new issue of Rolling Stone, due out Friday.
