KNOWN as one of the most influential guitarists of all time, Eric Clapton rose to fame during the 1960s.
Clapton has been known to make outwardly political statements, stirring controversy amongst his fans.
What has Eric Clapton said about COVID-19 in his ‘rants’?
According to the Washington Post, Clapton’s reactions to the coronavirus pandemic have not gone over well with his friends and fans.
“The minute I began to say anything about the lockdown, I was labeled as a Trump supporter in America,” he said.
Clapton added that he’s attempted to reach out from friends, but doesn’t hear back from anyone.
“My phone doesn’t ring very often. I don’t get that many texts or emails anymore,” he said.
“It’s quite noticeable.”
In August of 2021, Clapton released a criticism of the pandemic via song, entitled This Has Gotta Stop.
Although he was vaccinated against COVID-19, Eric Clapton has since spoken out about the vaccine and how he regrets receiving it.
In a letter to his friend Robin Monotti Graziadei, Clapton claimed he had a “disastrous” reaction to his COVID-19 vaccination, according to Rolling Stone.
Clapton received the AstraZeneca vaccination in February of 2021, which reportedly left him afraid he “would never play again”.
“I took the first jab of AZ and straight away had severe reactions which lasted ten days,” Clapton said in the letter.
After receiving the second dose of the shot, Clapton added that “the reactions were disastrous, my hands and feet were either frozen, numb or burning, and pretty much useless for two weeks.”
The rockstar later claimed he “should’ve never gone near the needle,” but the “propaganda” said the vaccine was safe.
What else has Eric Clapton said in his ‘rants’?
At a 1976 show in Birmingham, UK, Eric Clapton reportedly told concert-goers to support Enoch Powell.
Powell has been known to be anti-immigration, even giving a speech in 1968 blaming migrants for the economic and social problems in Britain at the time.
In 2020, Clapton and Van Morrison released an anti-lockdown single entitled Stand and Deliver.
Following the release of his song, English actress and presenter Jameela Jamil took to her Twitter account to remind fans and social media users about the time when Clapton allegedly asked “foreigners” to leave his show.
“Not just leave the hall, leave our country… I don’t want you here, in the room or in my country,” he reportedly said in the speech at the time, according to a screenshot Jamil shared.
He also reportedly added that England was a “white country” made for “white people.”
Clapton reportedly showed support for Powell once again in 2007, denying the politician was racist.
In a 2018 documentary about his life, Clapton apologized for his comments, describing himself as “a nasty person” who had been a “full-tilt racist.”
He reportedly battled drug and alcohol addictions at the time, but has been sober for over 30 years.
Who is Eric Clapton?
Born on March 30, 1945, in England, Clapton began playing guitar as a teenager.
Clapton began performing at local pubs and busking in the street, playing with a few smaller bands before his big break.
In 1963, he joined the Yardbirds, a rock-and-roll band. Their first big hit was released in March of 1965.
The following year in 1966, Clapton joined the band Cream. They quickly rose to commercial success, but the band ended soon after, around 1968.
They reunited in 1993 to perform at their induction ceremony into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and played four sold-out shows in 2005.
Clapton went on to perform with numerous musicians, including members of The Beatles and Tina Turner.
Eric Clapton is a triple-inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, being inducted in 1992, 1993, and 2000.
What is Eric Clapton’s net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Eric Clapton has an estimated net worth of around $450million.
Clapton has been nominated for 37 Grammy Awards, winning 17 of them.
He is also featured in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
