Eric Clapton performs at the Albert Hall in London May 16, 2009. Image: Reuters/Luke MacGregor
LOS ANGELES — British rock icon Eric Clapton will not perform at venues that require proof of vaccination.
“Following the PM’s announcement on Monday the 19th of July 2021, I feel honor 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. Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show,” Clapton said via statement posted onto architect, film producer and anti-vaxxer Robin Monotti Graziadei’s Telegram account, Variety reported.
The news follows United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement Tuesday that as restrictions on social gatherings lift, nightclubs must require guests to show a COVID Pass from the U.K.’s National Health Service upon entry for everyone over the age of 18.
Clapton has been releasing anti-vaccination and anti-lockdown statements and songs for close to a year now. In December 2020, Clapton joined fellow classic rocker turned anti-vaxxer Van Morrison on his song, “Stand and Deliver.” The song features lyrics including, “Do you wanna be a free man / Or do you wanna be a slave?” and “Dick Turpin wore a mask too.” Variety critics ranked it as one of the worst songs of 2020.
In an earlier release Clapton detailed a “disastrous” experience with the AstraZeneca vaccine for which he blamed “propaganda” for pushing on him. The musician continued on revealing that he suffers from “peripheral neuropathy and should never have gone near the needle.”
A representative for Clapton did not immediately respond to a request for comment. JB
RELATED STORIES:
Paul McCartney, Rick Rubin have a field day going down Beatles rabbit holes in ‘McCartney 3, 2, 1’
Bob Dylan announces first streaming special ‘Shadow Kingdom’ for July