Rocker Eric Clapton disappointed fans worldwide after countering UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's order that large indoor gatherings would require proof of vaccination with an announcement of his own that he would cancel any performances at venues that complied by this warning.
Clapton made the announcement via Telegram, a messaging app. "I wish to say that I will not perform on any stage where there is a discriminated audience present," he said.
"Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show."
Immediately the internet was ready, dragging him for all to see.
If you attend an Eric Clapton rally, you are playing Covid roulette. Just saying.— George Takei (@George Takei) 1626978627
If Eric Clapton catches covid and finds himself Knockin\u2019 On Heaven\u2019s Door, it will be Instant Karma.— Hamish Mitchell (@Hamish Mitchell) 1626980868
During a concert in 1976, Eric Clapton went on a racist rant, using highly offensive racial slurs and calling for the deportation of non-whites from Britain— UberFacts (@UberFacts) 1626969634
Eric Clapton should challenge Ted Nugent to a dumb off.— Secret Agent Number Six (@Secret Agent Number Six) 1626974593
So Eric Clapton is a anti-Vaxxer douchebag, yet he was addicted to injecting heroine cocktails. Makes a lot of sense\u2026— Alexander\ud83e\udd99 (@Alexander\ud83e\udd99) 1626970666
Clapton, who has railed against lockdown measures for the better part of the pandemic, is actually fully vaccinated himself. Clapton received the AstraZeneca vaccine, though has since decried it, saying he experienced "disastrous" weeklong side effects.
I used to like Eric Clapton pic.twitter.com/tSS6MwHtl2— Diane Bernaerts \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a (@Diane Bernaerts \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a\ud83c\udf0a) 1626977705
Eric Clapton says he will not play at venues that require proof of vaccination. \u201cFinally, some peace and quiet!\u201d said everyone else in the nursing home.— 22Minutes (@22Minutes) 1627008600
It is so easy to not buy tickets to an Eric Clapton gig. I'm doing it right now— DasGift (@DasGift) 1626976296
Eric Clapton's next single may be The Delta Blues.— Fromfarfaraway (@Fromfarfaraway) 1626966479
I will never listen to Eric Clapton again..he is a racist piece of garbage!pic.twitter.com/6oolhItRep— Nadia (Napoletana italiana \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8vote blue 1977 (@Nadia (Napoletana italiana \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8vote blue 1977) 1626982332
Clapton's newest transgression brought up memories for some users of his racist rant in 1978, wherein he advocated for mass deportation of non-white people from the UK.
On stage, Clapton hurled racial epithets against Black people, Middle Eastern people, Carribbean people, Eastern Asian people, among others and called England a "white country" made "for white people."
Eric Clapton refuses to play venues requiring vaccines because he had rough side effects from his two shots. \n\nHey \u2066@EricClapton\u2069 do you know what would be worse, being dead.\n\nI\u2019ll pass on super-spreader concerts. \n\n#FreshVoicesRisehttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57934379\u00a0\u2026— Maverick (@Maverick) 1627005700
Fk Eric Clapton the self riotous twat.https://twitter.com/DarbysCastle/status/1418188453989294081\u00a0\u2026— Rebel Scum: Do not go gentle into that good night (@Rebel Scum: Do not go gentle into that good night) 1626983880
"I nearly puked..."\n\nIn 1977 Rock Against Racism was founded as a response to pro-Enoch Powell & pro-Hitler comments made by Eric Clapton & David Bowie\n\nThis RAR poster & 1979 article about Clapton (from TGWU newspaper 'The Record') provides a bit of backgroundpic.twitter.com/HLVf150VY2— Warwick MRC (@Warwick MRC) 1626964155
people are like "man look what eric clapton turned into" as if he wasn't openly racist in his 20s— Andrew Sacher (@Andrew Sacher) 1626964067
Eric Clapton\u2019s next venue.pic.twitter.com/vRxSfIiMtV— Ed Urbanowski (@Ed Urbanowski) 1626980550
Clapton's assertion is in the minority of other professional musicians for now, but is concerning as cases rise across the country due to the ever more concerning delta variant of the virus.
Stay safe, and stay away from Eric Clapton concerts.
@winnieharlow/Instagram
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
