Legendary guitarist Eric Clapton's blues, rock rhythm and electrifying chords will fill the Bryce Jordan Center at 7:30 p.m. May 30.

Bernie Punt, director of public relations for the center, said Clapton is one artist General Manager Bob Howard wanted to bring to the center back in 1995.

When center officials found out about a year ago that Clapton was thinking about touring, Punt said the center immediately began a vigorous pursuit to get him to come to State College and the effort worked.

This British rock legend has been making history since the early '60s and hasn't taken a break since. He started his career with the likes of Jimmy Page, Steve Winwood and Duane Allman to produce some of the most memorable rock songs ever, making Clapton a three-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

It was Clapton's 1992 appearance on MTV's Unplugged that introduced his classic rock and blues ballads to a new, younger audience. The Unplugged album, which earned four Grammy awards, included hits like the slow soulful acoustic version of "Layla" and Clapton's tribute to the death of his young son, "Tears in Heaven."

Clapton's release, Riding with the King, his Grammy winning collaboration with B.B. King, and his newest release, Reptile, are exposing a new generation of blues fans to this rock genius.

Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Jordan Center, Eisenhower Auditorium, selected Uni-Mart and Commonwealth Campus ticket outlets, and can also be charged by phone at (800)863-3336 or (814)865-5555 or online at www.bjc.psu.edu.

Tickets are $47.50 and $68.50 for reserved seating. Wristbands will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday. Wristbands are for ticket buyers wishing to purchase tickets at the Bryce Jordan Ticket Center only.

— by Parveen Shamsi