It’s tough, travelling the world to entertain hundreds of thousands of people at sold out venues, especially when you’re approaching 70. And that’s something guitar legend Eric Clapton is slowly starting to realise.

Eric ClaptonEric Clapton might not be doing this for much longer

“There are tons of things I’d like to do but I’m looking at retirement too. I’m 70 next year. I think what I’ll allow myself to do, within reason, is carry on recording in the studio,” he told Uncut magazine. “I don’t want to go off the boil to the point where I’m embarrassing myself. The road has become unbearable. It’s unapproachable, because it takes so long to get anywhere - and it’s hostile,” he added.

More: Eric Clapton Apologises For Storming Off; Fans Miss One Song, Demand Refunds

In Clapton’s defence, it has been 50 years on the road since he burst onto the scene as a teenager with The Yardbirds. “Everywhere. Getting in and out of airports, getting on planes, travelling in cars,” he added, even suggesting that he might not be able to strum his guitar any more. “Maybe. Physically, it might be that I can’t, if it hurts too much. I have odd ailments,” he said. 

Clapton recently apologised to fans after he walked off mid-song on the Glasgow leg of his tour. "Unfortunately last night we experienced a steadily worsening technical problem with the PA system that the band battled with throughout the show. But by the last song of the set it became unbearable on stage and Eric was unable to complete that number,” read a statement. 

"The usual touring set length runs at 1hr 35 mins so in fact the full set was performed apart from the entirety of 'Cocaine' which had to be curtailed. Eric is nevertheless sorry for the break in the concert.” Despite this, fans were still dismayed with some even demanding refunds.