ERIC CLAPTON - CLAPTON WEEPS AT CREAM REUNION CONCERT

Rock legend ERIC CLAPTON wept last night (02MAY05) as he thanked fans for waiting more than 36 years for his band CREAM's reunion at London's Royal Albert Hall - the same venue where they played their farewell gig in 1969.

Clapton and his bandmates JACK BRUCE and GINGER BAKER were touched when the crowd gave them a standing ovation before they began the eagerly-awaited concert, causing Clapton to pay an emotional tribute to their loyal fans.

He told the audience, "Thanks for waiting all those years. We'll probably play everything we know – we'll play as long as we can."

Tickets for the first four dates in the British capital sold out within minutes, with many fans travelling from abroad to attend the historic event, which Clapton reportedly agreed to because of Bruce and Baker's failing health.