Eric Clapton may be going where no rocker has gone before: North Korea.
The government of North Korean dictator Kim Jung Il has extended a special invitation for old Slowhand to perform in Pyongyang, a surprising act of détente that could help ease tensions between the so-called Axis of Evil member and the West.
According to British media reports, the 62-year-old Clapton was extended the offer as part of a reciprocal cultural exchange that will see the North Korean State Symphony Orchestra perform in London this summer.
The Grammy winner's gig would be significant given North Korea historically censors its citizens from listening to rock 'n' roll and pop music in order to keep out so-called cultural "pollution" from the West.
In the past five years, the only musicians invited by the isolated Communist nation to play there have been of the classical genre. As it happened, news of the potential gig came a day after the New York Philharmonic Orchestra performed in the capital as part of a delegation that arrived there earlier this week.
"We have invited him for a concert in Pyongyang at a time of his convenience," a diplomat at the North Korean London embassy told the Associated Foreign Press. "We invited him in mid-January. We haven't received an answer yet. Mr. Clapton is a famous guitarist, an icon of the Western music. It's a good opportunity for the North Korean people to understand better Western music. Everyone knows who Clapton is."
Case in point: Even Kim Jong Chol, son of Kim Jong Il, is rumored to be a huge fan of the guitarist.
This isn't the first time Clapton has performed a little cultural diplomacy.
The musician was set to put on a concert for 20,000 fans in Moscow's Red Square two years ago, but Russian organizers ended up nixing his appearance due to bureaucratic snafus involving permit approval.
Clapton's classic hits include "For Your Love" with legendary '60s Brit rockers the Yardbirds; "Strange Brew" and "Sunshine of Your Love" with supergroup Cream; "Layla" with Derek and the Dominoes; and solo gems like "Cocaine," "After Midnight," a cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff" and "Tears in Heaven."
One North Korean official told London's Financial Times that the axeman's management has indicated he's agreed "in principle" to giving a concert there at his convenience at some future date in 2009.
However, Clapton's spokeswoman Kristen Foster said the musician had not yet agreed to any performances.
"Eric Clapton receives numerous offers to play in countries around the world," she said. "There is no agreement whatsoever for him to play in North Korea nor any planned shows there."
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is said to be in the studio working on a new album with Robbie Robertson, former frontman for the Band. Additionally, Clapton is teaming up with old friend Steve Winwood of Traffic for a trio of shows at New York's Madison Square Garden next month.