An audience member threw an object at Eric Clapton during his concert in Madrid, hitting the 81-year-old guitarist in the chest and bringing the show to an abrupt end.
The incident occurred May 7 at Movistar Arena just after Clapton finished performing “Cocaine,” the J. J. Cale tune he turned into a signature hit in 1977. As the guitarist walked across the stage, someone in the crowd lobbed an object toward him.
Video from the show shows Clapton looking down when the item struck him squarely in the chest. According to reports, the item thrown was a vinyl record sleeve.
Clapton then ended the concert early, leaving the stage without performing an encore.
The incident prompted outrage from fans.
“Very sad image today in Eric Clapton concert in Madrid,” the account Value Pond wrote on X. “Some guy threw something to EC at the end, ending with no encore.”
“Very sad indeed,” replied, adding video of the incident. “What kind of idiot does that?”
Very sad indeed. What kind of idiot does that? pic.twitter.com/0bNZ3wYFU7May 7, 2026
Clapton launched his current run of dates with two intimate warm-up shows at G Live. His former wife Pattie Boyd — the inspiration for several of his best-known songs, including “Layla,” “Bell Bottom Blues” and “Wonderful Tonight” — attended one of those shows.
Clapton is supported on his current tour by guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, bassist Nathan East, drummer Sonny Emory and keyboardists Chris Stainton and Tim Carmon.
The European leg concludes in Germany on May 17. Clapton returns to the U.S. later this year for a six-date North American run beginning September 6 in Detroit and wrapping up September 17 in Kansas City.
Clapton was among the players in Rolling Stone’s recent ranking of the 100 greatest guitar solos. He was recognized for his electric guitar work on the Beatles’ “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” and Cream’s “Crossroads.”
