Eric Clapton revives 'Give Me Strength' for the first time since 1975
Clapton opened the acoustic portion of his Detroit tour opener with a 461 Ocean Boulevard song absent from his setlists for 51 years.
Sep 9, 2026
Credit: American Songwriter (via source)
Eric Clapton opened his short 2026 U.S. tour at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on September 6 and brought back 'Give Me Strength' from 461 Ocean Boulevard. According to JamBase and the published setlist, it was his first live performance of the song since 1975.
The rarity opened the acoustic section after a three-song electric start. Clapton then moved through material including 'Running on Faith', 'Layla' and 'Tears in Heaven' before returning to electric guitar for the closing stretch. The performance is notable less as a setlist curiosity than as a rare return to an early solo-era acoustic piece after more than five decades.
Why it matters
A song returning after 51 years is an unusually deep catalog move from one of the most documented touring guitarists, and it changes the shape of an otherwise concise U.S. run.
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