Call me dumb, but Eric Clapton's musical genius seemed to extend beyond music. So I was stunned when Eric Clapton became an antivaxer. He let me down three times, by opposing antivaccination restrictions and opposing the shot (though he did get two AstraZeneca jabs), as well as releasing two antivax songs, This Must Stop and Stand and Deliver. The latter song was co-written with Van Morrison.
Rolling Stone has reported that Clapton now funds Jam for Freedom. The sole purpose of the band appears to be to protest vaccination.
Rolling Stone reports that Eric Clapton donated more than $1300 to a GoFundMe set up by a vaccine-skeptic music group. He also loaned the family's Transporter van to the pro-medical option band to use for traveling around the country. The magazine was told by Jam for Freedom musician, who said that he initially thought he was being tricked when he saw the donation. But then he received a text message from the 76 year-old singer-songwriter. McLaughlin stated that it was something complimenting, in the vein of Hey Ericgreat work youe doing. McLaughlin told the magazine, though he refused to reveal how much Clapton had given them to purchase a van. He also said that he may play with the group in future.
Clapton is, or was always, but kept it quiet, a conservative and perhaps even racist. I was unaware of those comments made at a 1976 concert, but they were there. These comments are also reported by the magazine:
Dave Wakeling believed he also knew Clapton in 1976. Wakeling was just 20 when he founded the English Beat, one the U.K.'s first ska bands. He was so obsessed with Clapton that he once hitchhiked from Birmingham to London to see Blind Faith in Hyde Park. Wakeling was shocked to see Clapton in Birmingham at the Odeon theatre in August 1976. Clapton, clearly drunk, started grousing about immigration. He was not like his rock brethren who didn't weigh in on issues such as the Vietnam War. Although the concert was not recorded or filmed, Clapton made vile and racist remarks from the stage based on the published accounts of the time and Wakelings' recollection. In comments he never denied, Clapton spoke out about how immigration to the U.K. would lead to the country becoming a colony in 10 years. . . Get the coons out. It was almost like a joke, Wakeling recalls. It was obvious that it wasn't. It was. . . The crowd began to murmur as a result. He continued to talk, and the murmurs became louder. . . After the concert, we all went into the foyer. It was louder than the concert. Wakeling was especially offended when Clapton urged support for Enoch Powell, the British conservative flamethrower and fascist, onstage. Powell had previously given the polarizing rivers-of-blood speech in Birmingham in 1968. Wakeling felt that Birmingham was becoming more integrated because of the efforts of both black and white workers in its factories.
This is my fifth attempt to break your heart.
Clapton tried to excuse those comments later, claiming they weren't racist. But his explanation isnt convincing (read more).
Clapton also pledged that he would never perform in a venue that required vaccinations and is now scheduling his tours around that principle.
Clapton has recently begun a U.S. tour that was booked in red states, despite rising transmission numbers and deaths rates. Also, the venues at which Clapton is performing were not required to provide proof of vaccination. This Sixties icon, who was open to drugs, sex and rock & rolling as much as any other of his generation, received praise from conservative pundits. He posed backstage with Texas' anti-vax-mandate governor in Austin. Greg Abbott, well-known for his attacks against abortion and voting rights. Some saw Clapton backstage with the governor. It was a deal breaker for them. I deleted all my Clapton songs and one comment on Abbott's Twitter feed said, "A Kid Rock type with better playing skills." Clapton has just embarked on a U.S. Tour despite rising transmission numbers and deaths and venues that don't require proof of vaccination. This Sixties icon, who was open to drugs, sex and rock & rolling as much as any other person of his generation, won praise from conservative pundits. He posed backstage with Texas' anti-vax-mandate governor in Austin. Greg Abbott, well-known for his attacks against abortion and voting rights. Some found Clapton backstage photos of the governor to be a deal breaker. I deleted all my Clapton songs and made one comment on Abbott's Twitter feed. Done with him.
Rolling Stone reports that Clapton broke the vow by playing at a venue that required testing or jabs on Sept. 18.
This absurd promise was broken by Smoothie King. According to the company's website, it is following New Orleans regulations which require ticketholders (12 and over) and staff to prove that they have received at minimum one dose of Covid-19 vaccine. Participants and staff must also provide a negative test within 72 hours. They must also wear a mask when they are not drinking or eating.
It's fine. But it does indicate that he doesn't hold true to his convictions.
Clapton: What happened? If you are a Clapton lover, the Rolling Stone piece is detailed and long.
