Tickets for the Bangkok leg of Eric Clapton's world tour are selling quickly. On his only other visit to Thailand in 1979, Clapton sold out the National Theatre.

"Eric Clapton's first concert caused a sensation in the Kingdom," says Pisces Music's managing director Amporn Chakkaphak, who was working as a reporter at the time, before his current job as concert organiser at Nite Spot. "I never thought I'd see such a world-famous artist in this country.

"Before Clapton, foreign artists played at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium, which didn't have air-conditioning, or at the Prakhanong Theatre, which was crawling with cockroaches. So the National Theatre was considered a vast improvement."

The legendary blues-rock artist's second concert in Thailand will take place at Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani on January 15. Accompanying him will be his long-time band mates - Doyle Bramhall II and Derek Trucks on guitar, Chris Stainton and Tim Carmon on keyboards, Willie Weeks on bass, Steve Jordan on drums and Michelle John and Sharon White on back-up vocals.

Clapton is the quintessential guitar hero for players of all ages. Hugely successful since the late '60s, with album sales peaking at 50 million copies worldwide, his extensive catalogue of rock classics includes "Key to the Highway", "Tears in Heaven", "Bell Bottom Blues", "Change the World", "Badge", "Cocaine", "Wonderful Tonight", "Layla", "Sunshine of Your Love" and "Blue Eyes Blue". And it's songs like these that have been major influences for leading Thai guitarists.

"He's one of the great musicians - captivating sound and striking guitar solos," says Saharat "Kong" Sangkhapreecha, a member of the '80s band Nuvo. Band mate Jirayus "Jo" Wattanasin agrees: "His charm comes from the variations he brings to each performance - he improvises with his guitar."

Members of '90s band Clash Thapana Na Bangchang and Kotchapak Poltanachoti also owe a debt to the 18-time Grammy Award winner.

"I was introduced to Clapton's songs by my father [Chor-on Na Bangchang, guitarist for rock band the Fox]. 'Wonderful Tonight' has a sweet solo and an atmospheric arrangement," says Thapana.

"I listened to his 'Unplugged' live album, which was given to me by my mother. I was astonished at the dexterity of his picking techniques and the emotion he showed in that live gig. Of course, he's influenced our albums," Kotchapak adds.

"Thais are lucky to get the chance to see Clapton," says veteran guitarist Jiraphan Angsawanon, who opened for the blues man's 1979 show with his band Butterfly. At the press conference for Clapton's upcoming performance, Jiraphan performed with his new band True Blue.

"We've enjoyed playing Clapton's masterpieces. 'Wonderful Tonight' is a great pop tune and 'Bell Bottom Blues' shows great songwriting skills," he adds.

In 2001, Clapton was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, founded in the US in 1969 to recognise the work of composers and lyricists worldwide who create great popular music.

"He's been making a sweet sound with that guitar for a long, long time now," says Jirapan, whose most recent album is "Never Say Goodbye".

"Clapton's style ranges from psychedelic rock and pop to country and blues. Sometimes, he plays fusion jazz and ragtime with samba. He is wide open to all kinds of music."

Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul

The Nation

Tickets at Bt5,000, Bt4,000, Bt3,000, Bt2,500 and Bt1,000 are available at all Thaiticketmaster outlets and the 50 participating post offices in Bangkok and nearby cities. For more information, call (02) 262 3456 or visit www.thaiticket-master.com.