Eric Clapton Refuses to Hold Concert on Venues That Will Require COVID Vaccines Among Audiences
British rocker Eric Clapton announced that he will not hold his concert on venues that would require COVID vaccines attendees. The "Wonderful Tonight" singer announced his decision after U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the clubs and concert venues to require proof of vaccination among attendees starting September, BBC reported.
Clapton's statement was published on Telegram and given "exclusively" to London-based urban, fil, and cultural theorist Robin Monotti Graziadei, Los Angeles Times reported. The outlet also noted that Monotti, also a vaccine skeptic, posted Clapton's statement on Telegram on Tuesday.
Eric Clapton's Comments After PM Boris Johnson's Announcement
The statement was also posted on Monotti's unverified Instagram account on Wednesday. The British rocker pointed out that Boris Johnson's announcement made him feel honored to make his announcement, regarding his concert shows.
Clapton emphasized in his statement that he will not "perform on any stage" where the discrimination among audiences is present. The "Tears in Heaven" singer also noted that he has the right to cancel his shows unless there will be provision that will be made for all people to attend his concerts.
Rolling Stone reported that Clapton's shows were scheduled to take place in May 2022, including two gigs at the Royal Albert Hall in London. In September, the British Rocker would go on a U.S. tour in areas such as Texas, Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana.
Clapton's comments came as Prime Minister Boris Johnson encouraged the businesses such as clubs and concert venues to require a COVID Pass that would show the vaccine status of an individual. Johnson said that he did not want to close the nightclubs again after their 18-month shutdown that ended on Monday.
"I would remind everybody that some life's most important pleasures and opportunities are likely to be increasingly dependent on vaccination," Johnson said.
Eric Clapton on COVID Vaccines and Measures
Clapton's concert announcement was not the first time the British rocker sounded his opposition against the COVID vaccines and measures amid the coronavirus pandemic. In December, BBC mentioned that Clapton appeared on Northern Irish singer, Van Morisson's song, "Stand and Deliver." The outlet noted that the single was among Morisson's three compositions to protest among lockdown measures.
Clapton has also claimed that he experienced a severe reaction to the AstraZeneca vaccine. The rocker then wrote a letter addressed to Monotti, blaming "propaganda" for exaggerating the safety of the vaccine.
"I took the first jab of AZ and straight away had severe reactions which lasted ten days, I recovered eventually and was told it would be twelve weeks before the second one," Clapton wrote to Monotti. The rocker noted that after six weeks, he was offered and took the second shot of the said vaccine, noting that his hands and feet were either "frozen, numb, or burning." Clapton also noted that he feared that the "disastrous" reaction would leave him unable to play music again.
It can be recalled that the AstraZeneca vaccine had a "very rare" blood clot side effect. However, the European Medicines Agency still recommended getting the vaccines for all ages.
Despite Eric Clapton's opposition against the COVID vaccines, BBC noted that experts emphasized that the benefit of vaccination outweighs the risk for most people.
This article is owned by Latin Post
Written By: Joshua Summers
WATCH: Eric Clapton Blames 'Propaganda' for 'Disastrous' COVID Vaccine - From New York Post
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