Clapton invited to perform in North Korea

Published on Tuesday 26 February 2008 21:25

FIRST, it was the New York Philharmonic – now Eric Clapton has been invited to perform in the secretive country of North Korea.

Rock and pop have been banned in the world's most isolated nation because of fears over western influences. But Clapton, 62, the legendary singer and guitarist, has been asked to perform in the capital, Pyongyang, next year.

Diplomats believe the overture shows the Communist state wants to build cultural bridges with the West. Clapton is said to have agreed in principle to the idea.

News of the invite came as the New York Philharmonic played in Pyongyang.

It is the first major American cultural group to perform in North Korea, which George Bush, the United States president, classed as part of the "axis of evil".

The North Korean State Symphony Orchestra plans to perform in London this summer as part of the ensemble's biggest-ever tour, and Clapton has been invited to the Asian country in return.

A North Korean official said: "We want our music to be understood by the western world, and we want our people to understand western music."

Clapton was ranked fourth in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the greatest guitarists of all time. He has been inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame an unprecedented three times – as a soloist and as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream.