Posted on 07/21/2021 8:39:28 PM PDT by george76
Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show.”..
Eric Clapton wants nothing to do with vaccine passports — and that includes at his own concerts.
Responding to an announcement from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson that anyone wanting to enter nightclubs or other crowded venues will have to show proof of COVID vaccination beginning in September, the legendary rock star issued a statement Wednesday.
“Following the PM’s announcement on Monday the 19th of July 2021, I feel honour bound to make an announcement of my own: I wish to say that I will not perform on any stage where there is a discriminated audience present,” Clapton said, adding, “Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show.”
Conservatives applauded Clapton’s stance, with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) tweeting, “Artists should defend individual Liberty. I very much support vaccines, but it should be your choice—not forced upon you.”
Blaze podcast host Steve Deace said, “Eric Clapton is basically Patrick Henry now.”
Finally, British journalist and filmmaker Sonia Poulton thanked Clapton and “all musicians who show true integrity by refusing to perform at venues using a totalitarian system of entry.” She added, “It’s impossible for me to respect those going along with this. Human & artistic sell outs controlled by the Govt.”
Of course, the man Rolling Stone dubbed the world’s second-best guitarist (after Jimi Hendrix) had his detractors as well.
Author and Time Magazine columnist Ian Bremmer lamented, “Wow. I love Clapton. Sorry to learn he’s such an a**hole.”
Liz Buckley, label manager for Ace Records, sneered, “Funnily enough, I will not attend shows where Eric Clapton is required.”
Meanwhile, the official account for the left-wing political blog, The Palmer Report, tweeted, “Used to be you’d hope you got to see aging rock stars in concert before they died. These days you hope you get to see them before they become Eric Clapton.”
This isn’t the first time the rock-and-roll-hall-of-famer has shown an independent streak when it comes to COVID policy.
In December, he and pal Van Morrison protested government lockdowns in the manner one would most expect from rock stars — with a song. Their single, “Stand and Deliver,” includes lyrics that explicitly warn against giving the government that much power:
Do you wanna be a free man Or do you wanna be a slave … Do you wanna wear these chains Until you’re lying in the grave?
Magna Carta, Bill of Rights The constitution, what’s it worth? You know they’re gonna grind us down, ah Until it really hurts
Is this a sovereign nation Or just a police state? You better look out, people Before it gets too late
“It is deeply upsetting to see how few gigs are going ahead because of the lockdown restrictions,” Clapton said at that time. “There are many of us who support Van [Morrison] and his endeavors to save live music; he is an inspiration… we must stand up and be counted because we need to find a way out of this mess. The alternative is not worth thinking about. Live music might never recover.”
What a great guitarist!
Show ‘em, Slowhand!
Yup...not going to be just another brick in the wall.
wonder how many will get that reference ... LOL!
Eric has a net worth of at least $300. Million, so he can easily afford to miss a few shows. The performer in him obviously still loves to make music and put on shows.
He is 76 trombones old.
You go!
Was just listening to Layla. 1970 version
Layla: Hit of the 70s, 80s, 90, and more!
Layla, the anthem of Clapton’s obsession with Patty Boyd, George Harrison’s wife at the time and future wife of Eric Clapton.
Eric Clapton, George Harrison’s ex-husband in-law.
I’ve always appreciated Mr. Clapton’s talent. Now my respect for him just ratcheted up a notch or two.
Joycylyn Eldyers.
Good for him. He also “screwed” around with George Harrison’s wife. Never expect devotion or purity in the music world, or any world.
Eric Clapton After Getting ‘The Jab’: “I Should Never Have Gone Near the Needle”.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3959360/posts
“We’ve forgotten Billy Preston!”
‘’76 trombones’’. I saw what you did there.
“The Music Man’’.
Hooray for him! LIBERTY. FREEDOM. I think he gets it! By the way personal favorites https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhaBlvkJvLc AND https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPeFvNmARnQ
You must mean Pretty-Patty Boyd.
She was okay appearing, not necessarily a Knock Out.
Enough to make George’s guitar gently weep.
I guess you’d have to be there to understand her allure.
You last sentence rings true.
I’ve been reading some biographies of famous entertainers.
Almost to a one, they have been extremely self centered and thought nothing of using others as stepping stones to reach their goals. Some of that can be called determination, drive and focus. Others may call it souless, amoral and unable to know what happiness really means. Some seem to enjoy the tangles of being at war far more than any resulting victory.
yeah thats what i read awhile ago
is he recovered enough to play? he was worried he would not be able to
I almost posted it myself.
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