British rock icon Eric Clapton announced that he will not perform at venues that require concertgoers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19
On Wednesday, British rock icon Eric Clapton announced that he would not be performing at venues that require concertgoers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This announcement comes after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson mandated that proof of vaccination must be shown at clubs and venues from September on.
Clapton’s announcement came through the social media accounts of an outspoken anti-vaccine activist, according to BBC News. The “Wonderful Tonight” singer issued his statement on the Telegram account of film producer and architect Robin Monotti, a known COVID-19 vaccination skeptic as well. In the announcement, Clapton called Johnson’s mandate “discriminatory” and that he would not play into that requirement.
“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. “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.”
Back in May, Clapton, 76, revealed that he had experienced a “severe” reaction to the AstraZeneca vaccine. He previously blamed “propaganda” for overstating the safety of the vaccine, adding that he feared the “disastrous” reaction would prevent him from performing again, in a letter to Monotti.
The Telegram message came along with a link to Clapton’s recent collaboration with Van Morrison for the anti-lockdown song “Stand and Deliver.” The 4-minute and 33-second track expresses criticism over shelter-in-place orders and other coronavirus restrictions such as face masks.
Clapton’s next UK show is scheduled for May 2022 at London’s Royal Albert Hall. According to the Prime Minister’s mandate, people will most likely need to show their COVID-19 vaccination cards ahead of the event to be granted access to the venue. Clapton has eight additional U.S. concerts scheduled for September of this year, however, vaccination proof is not required at most U.S. music venues at this time.
Clapton’s declaration won’t bump with the Prime Minister’s directive until at least May of 2022 when he has two dates scheduled to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London, according to reports by Rolling Stone. However, he has a handful of North American concert dates scheduled for September.
As of Thursday morning, the pandemic has infected more than 192,027,538 people across 192 countries and territories, resulting in at least 4,127,251 deaths.
In the U.S., all 50 states plus the District of Columbia have reported confirmed cases of COVID-19, tallying more than 34,226,889 illnesses and at least 609,862 deaths.
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