Eric Clapton has come another step closer to his retirement, after stating that he might not play in Japan ever again, and that touring is taking it's toll on him as he approaches the age of 70...

As Classic Rock Magazine notes, in a letter written to fans that appeared in the programme for the just-completed Japanese tour, the legendary guitarist noted:

"I may not be able to come back again. I've been coming here for 40 years, since before some of you were born. It's the best place I've ever played. Thank you for having me."


The note follows comments made by Clapton last year, in  that he was planning to stop touring in 2015 to coincide with his 70th birthday:

"The bit onstage, that's easy. If I could do that around my neighbourhood that would be great. You have guys in Texas that play their circuit and it keeps them alive...

"But for me, the struggle is the travel. The only way you can beat that is by throwing so much money at it that you make a loss. So the idea is, when I'm 70 I'll stop. I won't stop playing or doing one-offs, but I'll stop touring, I think."

Back in June of 2013, when he was touring in support of his 21st solo album, "Old Sock," he  was forced to cancel two concerts after suffering from severe back pain.The rigors of touring have been anything but easy on the guitar icon since then.