After new authoritarian COVID restrictions were announced, music legend Eric Clapton has decided to fight back with a fiery statement and some pro-freedom music.
Eric Clapton, 76, one of the most influential guitarists of all time, released a statement saying that he would not perform at any venues that enforce the United Kingdom’s new COVID regulations, which mandate that nightclubs and other venues require proof of vaccination for all customers and attendees.
Clapton’s statement shows that he is serious about cancelling shows.
“Following the PM’s announcement on Monday the 19th of July 2021 I feel honor-bound to make an announcement of my own,” Clapton said in his statement, which was obtained by Rolling Stone. “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.”
Eric Clapton said he would cancel any shows if the venue requires attendees prove they are vaccinated against Covid-19. https://t.co/ByUi9lLG2V
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) July 21, 2021
The blues legend is not scheduled to play in the U.K. Again until spring of 2022. His next performance in the United States will be on September 13th in Fort Worth, Texas.
Eric Clapton has been outspoken against the authoritarianism that is creeping into the government in the United States, the United Kingdom, and many other western countries. He has even released new music that is explicitly pro-freedom.
In December of 2020, he released a song titled “Stand and Deliver.”
“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?” Clapton sings.
“Magna Carta, Bill of Rights, the Constitution, what’s it worth? You know they’re gonna grind us down, until it really hurts. Is this a sovereign nation, or just a police state? You better look out, people, before it gets too late,” the lyrics read.
LISTEN:
Full Lyrics:
Stand and deliver
You let them put the fear on you
Stand and deliver
But not a word you heard was true
But if there’s nothing you can say
There may be nothing you can do
Do you wanna be a free man
Or do you wanna be a slave?
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?
I don’t wanna be a pauper
And I don’t wanna be a prince
I don’t wanna be a pauper
And I don’t wanna be a prince
I just wanna do my job
Playing the blues for friends
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
You wanna be your own driver
Or keep on flogging a dead horse?
You wanna be your own driver
Or keep on flogging a dead horse?
Do you wanna make it better
Or do you wanna make it worse?
Stand and deliver
You let them put the fear on you
Sold down the river
But not a word of it was true
If there’s nothing you can say
There may be nothing you can do
Stand and deliver
Stand and deliver
Dick Turpin wore a mask too