It was not that long ago Eric Clapton was in the news for refusing the play in venues that require COVID vaccination.
In July, Clapton announced via theTelegram:
"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."
Then in August, he released a song called "This Has Got to Stop" which promoted anti-lockdown and anti-public health protocols protests.
Now he's gone back on his word.
Clapton was seen playing a concert Saturday at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
watching Eric Clapton performing in New Orleanspic.twitter.com/OTcAnWZPFF— Monica (@Monica) 1632029254
Eric Clapton @ Smoothie King Center.\nNew Orleans, LApic.twitter.com/e9dlenWZM6— Ari Solern\u00f3 (@Ari Solern\u00f3) 1632031307
After vowing in July never to play at a venue that required vaccines, and even releasing a music video about it, Eric Clapton decided to take the money and play New Orleans on Sat.https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/eric-clapton-vaccine-mandate-show-smoothie-king-1229285/\u00a0\u2026— Ron Filipkowski (@Ron Filipkowski) 1632221623
The Smoothie King Center has very clear vaccine requirements of at least one shot and a PCR test for the virus no more than 72 hours before the event. However, Times-Picayune newspaper reported security did not check vaccine cards against their ID so there's no telling if everyone there was actually vaccinated.
There are also mask requirements when not eating or drinking but it was a free for all if anyone was holding a beer.
Most people are convinced he is going through with the concerts for the money.
Money doesn\u2019t talk, it screams— Sasha schnauzer (@Sasha schnauzer) 1632221703
And by fans you mean the little green fans, of course.pic.twitter.com/4CbXLIB5ZT— Hannes Guddat (@Hannes Guddat) 1632270861
So firm in beliefs. Such bravery.— JavaManActual (@JavaManActual) 1632221685
Probably told to by his lawyer since they couldn't find an escape clause in the contract. Unlike a venue that isn't requiring it, he could claim safety concerns.— David Elrod (@David Elrod) 1632221734
Ah, money, the secret to COVID responsibility.\n\nLet\u2019s make treatment if you\u2019re vaccinated free and let the infected have to pay for their own treatment.\n\nAll of it.— hrokr (@hrokr) 1632221806
This is going to start happening with greater frequency as vaccine mandates become more prevalent. \nIt doesn't just make sense, it makes dollars and sense!pic.twitter.com/qEMyERXE19— Strawman Gaslight Fusion (@Strawman Gaslight Fusion) 1632221985
He was my favorite guitarist. EC to me. First name out of my mouth if someone asked. Tears In Heaven nearly slew me. Then just like that, fandom, fickle that it is, was gone. I simply cannot abide the train he is riding and I am off of it.— Debbie Hupp (@Debbie Hupp) 1632230587
For Clapton it was never about the best interest of people it was always about the money hypocrisy at its best— Heather ON (@Heather ON) 1632223242
pic.twitter.com/YITxVgZIHe— Kathy Kaiser (@Kathy Kaiser) 1632222466
Clapton himself is fully vaccinated.
The main, if not only reason, he is against the vaccine is he claimed to experience "disastrous" weeklong side effects.
In an interview, Clapton said he feels "ostracized" by his famous friends since making his stance on vaccines:
"I've tried to reach out to fellow musicians."
"I just don't hear from them anymore."
"My phone doesn't ring very often. I don't get that many texts and emails anymore."
"It's quite noticeable … I was ostracized. And I could feel that everywhere."
Well, maybe Van Morrison still talks to him.
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