Eric Clapton has bowed out of this week's
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th birthday festivities for health reasons.
The guitar great's official Web site says Clapton will undergo a minor medical procedure for gall stones and won't be able to perform as scheduled at one of the two Rock Hall anniversary concerts in New York.
A statement from the hall in Cleveland says the Jeff Beck Band will replace Clapton on Friday's bill.
The shows Thursday and Friday at Madison Square Garden feature only Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, in a lineup of legends that also includes Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, U2 and Stevie Wonder.
Clapton's Web site says he remains committed to his 2010 concert schedule.
AP, Oct 27, 2009 9:44 am PDT
