Early next year Eric Clapton will be playing several shows together with Jeff Beck. It’s the very first time that the two rock guitarists and legends have co-headlined on a tour together.

Clapton and Beck were band mates with the Yardbirds during the 1960s. Beck replaced Clapton as lead guitarist after Clapton left the Yardbirds in 1965. Clapton and Beck will perform at Madison Square Garden in New York on February 18. They also have two dates in Canada: on February 21 they will play in Toronto and on February 22 will be in Montreal. On February 13-14 the pair will perform a pair of shows at O2 Arena in London.

Toronto show tickets will go on sale starting at 10 a.m. on December 4. Montreal show tickets will first be available at noon on December 5. Details on ticket sales for the Madison Square Garden performance still have not been released.

Earlier in the year Clapton and Beck shared top billing at a show at Saitama Super Arena in Tokyo. It marked the very first time ever that the duo had co-headlined at a venue.

Beck said through a press statement, earlier this year Eric and I performed together in Japan. We had a blast. We’ve been in contact on a regular basis since then and discussed doing a show that was similar for our fans. I am really looking forward to our shows in 2010.

Clapton said, I always have thought of Jeff Beck as one of the very best guitar players. He is a really great guy, gifted musician and friend. In Japan we had a great time. It seemed only natural that we should play together again.

Last October at the 25th anniversary shows for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame held in New York, Beck performed in place of Clapton who had to cancel due to his recovering from having gallstone surgery