In the wake of the UK Prime Minister's Monday announcement that attendees wishing to enter entertainment venues will have to show proof of vaccinations starting this fall, rock legend Eric Clapton pushed back by stating he would cancel shows where audiences were discriminated against.
"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 on Telegram, adding, "Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show."
Clapton received widespread support from conservatives on twitter, with Senator Ted Cruz, Blaze host Steve Deace, British journalist Sonia Poulton, and more applauding his statement.
Bravo. @EricClapton
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 21, 2021
Artists should defend individual Liberty.
I very much support vaccines, but it should be your choice—not forced upon you. https://t.co/9cQv5zaPiA
Eric Clapton is basically Patrick Henry now https://t.co/Vo0ugOZSwV
— Steve Deace (@SteveDeaceShow) July 20, 2021
Thank you Eric Clapton & Ian Brown & Richard Ashcroft & all musicians who show true integrity by refusing to perform at venues using a totalitarian system of entry. It’s impossible for me to respect those going along with this. Human & artistic sell outs controlled by the Govt.
— Sonia Poulton (@SoniaPoulton) July 21, 2021
In addition to his supporters, the star received his fair share of complaints.
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.
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) July 21, 2021
I am a big "Love the art but loathe the artist" guy, but Eric Clapton is testing my philosophy.
— Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) July 22, 2021
Eric Clapton won't perform shows where proof of vax is needed. Which is convenient because I won't go to any Clapton shows whilst he is a Countryside Alliance supporting, Enoch Powell loving, fox-hunting tool who said this onstage in '76: pic.twitter.com/0AxXEIg677
— Celeste Liddle (@Utopiana) July 22, 2021
How about this, if you go to an Eric Clapton concert, you are not allowed into my house.
— Mr. Newberger (@jeremynewberger) July 22, 2021
Clapton has been vocal about the government's response to COVID-19, resulting in forced closures around the world. He and fellow musical legend Van Morrison released a song in December titled "Stand and Deliver," protesting these forced lockdowns.
Some of the lyrics reads as follows:
"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"
"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."
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