Posted on 05/30/2024 10:10:31 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Eric Clapton has expressed support for Roger Waters' to voice his outspoken political views.
Waters has been accused multiple times over years of making alleged antisemitic remarks and actions at his concerts. In 2023, he drew criticism for wearing a Nazi-like costume during his performance in Berlin, which prompted an investigation by the German police. Additionally, his concert in Frankfurt, Germany, was nearly canceled, but he was ultimately permitted to perform. Also in 2023, Waters was condemned by the U.S. State Department, which said that the artist has "a long track record of using antisemitic tropes."
Waters has been a longtime opponent of Israel for its activity in Palestine, and has said that his grievances are with the country, not Judaism, accusing critics of "abusing the term 'anti-Semitism' to intimidate people like me into silence."
Most recently Waters became the subject of a new documentary titled The Dark Side of Roger Waters, produced by the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism, and earlier this year, he harshly criticized remarks made by Bono at a U2 concert where the singer paid tribute to the victims of the October 7, 2023 attack on the Supernova music festival by Hamas.
"We have to start saying to these people, your opinion is so disgusting and so degrading... sticking up for the Zionist entity," Waters said. "What he did a couple of weeks ago in the Sphere in Las Vegas, singing about the Stars of David, was one of the most disgusting things I've ever seen in my life."
Clapton, another figure who has come under fire for his public remarks of late, was recently asked about his opinion of people who urge artists to "stick to music."
“I don't respond to the word 'should' very well," he said to The Real Music Observer. "Anyone that tells me what I should be doing, I'm going to do the opposite. Not just out of spite, but because who are they to tell me how to live my life? I don't interfere with them."
He continued, bringing Waters into the fold: "I love Roger. I love him. We are brothers and he goes his way about it, and it takes a lot of guts, and he suffers from it terribly. I've seen him sit on the window ledge in tears and say 'It's morning here in Manhattan and I'm in tears again.' you know?"
Clapton also has a history of inflammatory remarks, one that dates back decades. In 1976, visibly intoxicated, he embarked on a bigoted speech on stage that ended up sparking a movement called Rock Against Racism. More recently, he has been vocal about COVID-19 vaccine "propaganda," opposing many of the decisions made by English government regarding lockdown laws prompted by pandemic.
In 2021, the guitarist stated that he would refuse to perform at any venue that required proof of vaccination, calling it a discriminating practice. In 2023, he teamed up with Stephen Stills to help raise funds for controversial candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign. Kennedy has made false and misleading claims about vaccines, including that they can cause autism.
"Music is a healing agent. I believe that there is a system of thinking about how you conduct yourself in that realm, and to be responsible not to offend people," Clapton continued to The Real Music Observer. "A lot of people really don't expect me or Roger to stick to what we say, but we do. And I think I have a responsibility because of what I told you earlier that I'm there carrying a message of hope, for love, peace and freedom you know that's my responsibility as a musician."
I have begun to look at it this way.
I want people to speak as much as they can. Then I know who wants me dead....basedbon my political, social, or religious views.
I have begun to look at it this way.
I want people to speak as much as they can. Then I know who want me dead....basedbon my political, social, or religious views.
I have no idea where to find out what these people think, nor do I care to find out.
Must be those social masturbation websites I hear about.
I was a big fan of Clapton at one time.
Was.
“I want people to speak as much as they can. Then I know who want me dead.”
And the media shouldn’t sugar coat it, either. No bleeping. People need to hear what they say with all it’s vitriol.
Yep. Clapton doesn’t just support Waters’ candor, he supports his pro-Hamas position. Bet Slowhand rejoiced on October 7.
It is good for people to come out of the political closet and let everyone know where they stand. At least, it’s good for everyone how is “not them”. It lets us know who we’re dealing with.
“It’s morning here in Manhattan and I’m in tears again.’ you know?” - Roger Waters
Sounds like a title of a song about the breakdown of the American justice system and the trashing of the Constitution in NYC.
I take Homer Simpson more seriously than ANY celebrity.
I take Homer Simpson more seriously than ANY celebrity.
++++++++++
Homer certainly has more wisdom.
I detest Roger Waters. I used to love Pink Floyd, but I went to a Roger Waters concert back around 2004, and it made me so angry I really haven’t been able to enjoy Pink Floyd music since then.
I went with about ten friends, and I knew who Roger Waters was, but had no inkling of what kind of person he was. I just liked Pink Floyd, I had never been one to get fixated on the lives and interests of celebrities.
So, it was a real surprise to me to be subjected to several hours of that absolute BS. His whole “performance” was an anti-American multi-media show.
I was so steaming mad, but...I didn’t want to ruin it for everyone else, so I just sat there or walked around the venue, but it wasn’t like you could get away from the sights or sounds anywhere.
I like Eric Clapton even less now than I ever did before. I used to not care much about his music except for liking an occasional song here or there?
Clapton might be a good guitar player or songwriter, but...Musical Genius?
Someone like Henry Mancini was a “Musical Genius”. I can barely listen to Clapton talk or sing.
Everything you stated is why Roger Waters is NO LONGER IN PINK FLOYD.
David Gilmore, Ricard Wright and Nick Mason basically kicked Waters out of the band years ago.
What Clapton stated was that he defends Waters right to express his views. EVEN IF YOU DOD NOT AGREE WITH THEM. It is in the FIRST AMENDMENT of the US Constitution. Freedom of Speech.
Clapton and Van Morrison have both been persecuted because they came out against mandatory vaccinations for the Covid-19 virus. This is because Clapton took the Astra Zeneca vaccine forced on people in the UK. He then became extremely ill. So, he has been very vocal opposing the vaccine.
It was brought to a head because Waters, after Thatcher went to war over The Falklands, decided to do “The Final Cut”, against the wishes of the other band members. The next PF album was supposed to be what wound up being Roger’s “The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking” (Which Eric Clapton played on, and toured with Waters).
whatever, I won’t be buying any tickets to see either of them, they can stew in their Jew hate.
I support his right to say whatever crap he wants. Doesn’t mean I’ll buy his stuff. Waters has pretty much always been an idiot.
It is clear that the remaining members were lot more talented musically than Waters.
I have Gilmour's "Live at Pompeii" DVD. His (mostly) solo take of "Wish You Were Here" was awesome.
Agreed, although I think Waters wrote a lot of the lyrics on my favorite album “Animals”.
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