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."
Lebanese Civil War, on and off from 1975 to 1990. I’m not sure it was bombing, though. Shelling and rockets, mostly, I guess.
Lebanon used to be a majority Christian, but it’s not anymore.
Yes, the roots of the Lebanese Civil War went centuries deep and involved many factions of muslims and Christians. To sum it up into, “the Christians started bombing Lebanon” makes absolutely no sense.
1950 - Beirut is the Paris of the Middle East
2024 - Paris is the Beirut of Europe
I just don't want it from people who expect me to pay money to them for a service or entertainment they deliver while using that celebrity which is derived from that service or entertainment to deliver a political message.
That is MY Freedom of Speech.
I couldn't have said it any better than Clapton did right there.
And I will act much as he does when it comes to my support of entertainers like him and Roger Waters.
I need to start consulting UltimateClassicRock for all my medical concerns. I’m impressed they know what claims are false or true in regards to the vaccine. Truly remarkable.
You mean SHUT UP AND SING !
Lebanon was split off by the British for the Christians.
East Jordan(east of the river) was for the Muslims.
West of the river to the sea for the Jews (Israel).
Gaza remained part of Egypt until 1967 when they invaded Israel and the Jews kicked their a$$.
Re: Animals ... Cribbed a lot from Orwell on the entire concept.
Pretty much. Honestly, I love hearing a conservative speak out, but if he or she is okay with alienating fans from the OTHER side, that freedom of speech is his or hers to observe.
If someone is conservative, I like hearing their view. But if I don’t, that is just as good.
Not that I’ve been a huge fan, but I’ve liked him well enough, and considering he was kinda cancelled because of his COVID stance and some long past comments about immigration, I thought he might have a bit of sense about him. I guess not.
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