Reprise RecordsFor the most part during 2012, Eric Clapton has stayed out of the limelight, but the guitar legend is planning to return in a big way next year, which will mark the 50th anniversary of the start of his professional music career.  Slowhand has announced that he's been working on a new studio album that will hit stores in early 2013, and he also has scheduled a handful of U.K. dates in May.

The shows will include stops in Birmingham on May 13 and Manchester on May 14, as well as a five-night engagement at London's Royal Albert Hall on May 17, 18, 20, 21 and 23.  Clapton will be accompanied by a band featuring many members of his longtime backing group -- including guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, drummer Steve Jordan, and bassist Willie Weeks -- plus former Squeeze/Ace/Mike and the Mechanics singer/keyboardist Paul Carrack.

Clapton fan-club members will be able to pre-order tickets for the U.K. shows on Wednesday, and the general public can buy them starting on Friday.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio