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Eric Clapton apologises for storming off stage in Glasgow due to 'technical problem'

Angry audience members took to Twitter to express their annoyance

Antonia Molloy
Tuesday 24 June 2014 09:47 BST
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Eric Clapton performs in 2010
Eric Clapton performs in 2010

Eric Clapton left loyal fans angry and disappointed after he stormed off stage during a concert in Glasgow on Saturday.

The guitarist was performing the penultimate song of his set at The Hydro when technical problems occurred.

Seemingly frustrated, Clapton left the stage during his rendition of “Cocaine” to the shock of audience members who had paid around £60 each for their tickets.

The Cream legend returned briefly to perform another song, but then walked off again.

Annoyed fans took to social media to voice their irritation and disappointment. On Twitter, one user branded Clapton’s actions “embarrassing and insulting”, while another person said they were “gutted”.

One fan, Stephen Houston, 47, told the Daily Record that people booed and jeered Clapton as he left the stage.

He said: "He didn’t apologise, he just walked off.

"At first the stunned ­audience thought he might be going off but coming back for an encore. But the stage crew ran on and started ­dismantling the set.

"People were booing and jeering, the place was in an absolute uproar as almost 12,000 people realised ­- Clapton wasn’t coming back.

"The lights went up and that was it. There wasn’t even an apologetic announcement from the Hydro staff.

"People were raging after spending £67 each on tickets, lots had come from afar and booked hotels too. I know he’s a perfectionist but that was just bloody rude."

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A spokesperson for Clapton said he was "sorry for the break in the concert".

A 'Team Clapton' statement on his website reads: "Unfortunately, last night we experienced a steadily worsening technical problem with the PA system that the band battled with throughout the show but by the last song of the set it became unbearable on stage and Eric was unable to complete that number.

"During the encore break we were able to reset and the band finished as planned with the last number.

Clapton, who has been inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times, is viewed as one of the most influential guitarists of all time. The "Tears in Heaven" singer has received dozens of Grammy Awards and the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

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