Eric Clapton‘s spokesperson has responded to Rolling Stone for calling him a “hypocrite” after reporting that he performed for a vaccinated-only audience last Saturday in New Orleans after saying he wouldn’t.
The spokesperson says, “The title of Rolling Stone‘s article claims that the venue in New Orleans required a vaccine mandate for entry. This is DISINFORMATION. The venue did not require exclusively a vaccination as condition for entry. Rolling Stone‘s article goes on to contradict the title in the body of the text. This is simply bad sensationalist journalism.
“This was Eric Clapton’s original press release: ‘Following the [British] PM’s [Prime Minister] announcement on Monday the 19th of July 2021 I feel honor bound to make an announcement of my own: 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. Eric Clapton.'”
What Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced was that vaccine passes would be required to enter nightclubs and venues in the U.K.
Here is what the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans requires for entry to any of its events: “As required by the City of New Orleans for entry into our venues for events, all ticketholders age 12 and above, staff, vendors and participants must provide evidence of
- having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine that has received full approval or emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization or
- evidence of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to entering the event.”
Bottom line is, Clapton played for an audience where a provision was made for only confirmed negative or vaccinated people to attend.
Despite being vaccinated himself, Clapton has complained about the side effects he experienced. He also joined Van Morrison in recording protest songs about the U.K.’s lockdown of concert venues during the pandemic.
Clapton is down to the last 2 dates on his eight-city tour: Saturday in Tampa; and Sunday in Hollywood, Florida.
REUTERS PHOTO
