Clapton

[eFestivals]

Smack influenced rants by people in their 20s.

40 year ago.

Ahh yes.... the "sorry for being racist, it was only because I was drunk" routine.

For a racist, Clapton has no issue playing with the same black band for years and years. Or doing albums with BB King. Or lots of other bluesmen.

Oh c'mon ... there's a massively long history of racists being happy to use the race they detest for their own enrichment. By itself, that means nothing at all.

But anyway, my comment was meant facetiously, and I've no idea what Clapton's views today are - and I fully accept that people are capable of change.

[zahidf]

http://samuel-warde.com/2013/05/eric-claptons-racist-rant/

and

http://thequietus.com/articles/11246-physical-resistance-hundred-years-anti-fascism-extract

and the recent interviews:

'In a 2004 interview with Uncut, Clapton referred to Powell as "outrageously brave", and stated that his "feeling about this has not changed", because the UK is still "... inviting people in as cheap labour and then putting them in ghettos."

In 2004, Clapton told an interviewer for Scotland on Sunday, "There's noway I could be a racist. It would make no sense".

In his 2007 autobiography, Clapton called himself "deliberately oblivious to it all" and wrote, "I had never really understood or been directly affected by racial conflict... when I listened to music, I was disinterested in where the players came from or what colour their skin was. Interesting, then, that 10 years later, I would be labelled a racist... Since then, I have learnt to keep my opinions to myself. Of course, it might also have had something to do with the fact that Pattie had just been leered at by amember of the Saudi royal family."

In a December 2007 interview with Melvin Bragg on The South Bank Show, Clapton reiterated his support for Enoch Powell and again denied that Powell's views were "racist".'

https://www.facebook.com/ericclapton/posts/10150718266142175

So, i don't really see him as having changed.

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

Even though they are both at the same end of ridiculousness, the drunk excuse has more leverage than the "some of my best friends are...." style excuse.

[The Nal]

He was drunk, a Saudi cracked onto his missus, he went on a stupid rant. 40 years ago! Not nice obviously and really stupid and wrong but to keep bringing it up as if hes Hitler? Come on.

John Lennon stood up in a restaurant in Tokyo in the early 70s, drunk, and shouted "What is the proper term for you fuckers? Nips or gooks?"

Throw away your Beatles albums folks.

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

Hey if you're happy to have Enoch Powell's number one fan at the most recognized symbol of toleranceand inclusivity in musical culture, thats your choice but at least take the honest way out and admit you're willing to overlook his views cause you want him to play, rather than using the "drunk" and "some of his best friends" excuses.

The EDL are drunk 80% of the time, it doesnt change what they do.

Edited February 4, 2014 by thesecretingredientiscrime

[zahidf]

He was drunk, a Saudi cracked onto his missus, he went on a stupid rant. 40 years ago! Not nice obviously and really stupid and wrong but to keep bringing it up as if hes Hitler? Come on.

John Lennon stood up in a restaurant in Tokyo in the early 70s, drunk, and shouted "What is the proper term for you fuckers? Nips or gooks?"

Throw away your Beatles albums folks.

Except he then reaffirmed his views on Powell a week later in the melody maker and 30 years later in UNCUT and a televised interview.

It's not really the same.

[Mr.Tease]

Smack influenced rants by people in their 20s.

40 year ago.

Brian Ferry is pro fox hunting too (and a complete c**t with no redeeming features) but people want Roxy Music to play. And Roger Waters and The Who have already played.........

If we're qualifying people on beliefs, any beliefs, then its going to be a pretty thin lineup.

For a racist, Clapton has no issue playing with the same black band for years and years. Or doing albums with BB King. Or lots of other bluesmen.

Yes, racism is a widely known side effect of heroin.

Lots of racist people have black friends (according to them! )

[5co77ie]

Not sure he'd be playing the Auschwitz festival if he was unsympathetic.

[The Nal]

Hey if you're happy to have Enoch Powell's number one fan at the most recognized symbol of toleranceand inclusivity in musical culture, thats your choice but at least take the honest way out and admit you're willing to overlook his views cause you want him to play, rather than using the "drunk" and "some of his best friends" excuses.

The EDL are drunk 80% of the time, it doesnt change what they do.

Im not sure he has political views in that context. Hes quite apolitical actually. His later comments about Powell have been in support of the expolited immigrant worker more than anything.

Comparing him to the EDL is a bit much.

Theres a lot of mock outrage everywhere at the moment when it suits.

As well as making racist comments, Lennon was also a wife beater by the way. By his own admission. Beat up both of his wives at some point. Is he ticked off the artistic register aswell now?

And if not, why not?

[zahidf]

Im not sure he has political views in that context. Hes quite apolitical actually. His later comments about Powell have been in support of the expolited immigrant worker more than anything.

Comparing him to the EDL is a bit much.

Theres a lot of mock outrage everywhere at the moment when it suits.

As well as making racist comments, Lennon was also a wife beater by the way. By his own admission. Beat up both of his wives at some point. Is he ticked off the artistic register aswell now?

And if not, why not?

I agree, We should protest if John Lennon is ever booked for Glastonbury.

[eFestivals]

I agree, We should protest if John Lennon is ever booked for Glastonbury.

Agreed.

[Mr.Tease]

Im not sure he has political views in that context. Hes quite apolitical actually. His later comments about Powell have been in support of the expolited immigrant worker more than anything.

Comparing him to the EDL is a bit much.

Theres a lot of mock outrage everywhere at the moment when it suits.

As well as making racist comments, Lennon was also a wife beater by the way. By his own admission. Beat up both of his wives at some point. Is he ticked off the artistic register aswell now?

And if not, why not?

I don't think anyone is apolitical, and I suspect his attempt to reframe his racism and anti immigrant stance as 'concern for the immigrants' is about as convincing as church homophobes claiming they are only making gay peoples lives a misery, out of 'love' for them. It's just a PR move.

I get where you're coming from and I admit I'm a hypocrite, in that I sometimes choose to ignore/overlook/deny it when a band/musician I like espouses racism, sexism, homophobia etc.

It's up to everyone to draw their own line, but I still think it's important that even when I'm ignoring/overlooking/denying, people challenge that. I wouldn't like a situation where any old nazi can play at glastonbury and no one raises an objection.

[The Nal]

I don't think anyone is apolitical, and I suspect his attempt to reframe his racism and anti immigrant stance as 'concern for the immigrants' is about as convincing as church homophobes claiming they are only making gay peoples lives a misery, out of 'love' for them. It's just a PR move.

I get where you're coming from and I admit I'm a hypocrite, in that I sometimes choose to ignore/overlook/deny it when a band/musician I like espouses racism, sexism, homophobia etc.

It's up to everyone to draw their own line, but I still think it's important that even when I'm ignoring/overlooking/denying, people challenge that. I wouldn't like a situation where any old nazi can play at glastonbury and no one raises an objection.

Agree 100% and if I ever interviewed Eric Clapton (in fantasy land) it would be one thing I'd really nail him on and get his true thoughts on the matter.

Not defending him. It did happen. It was stupid and horrible. Just putting it into context. Also, 40 years ago, racism wasn't as .... err.... "bad"....compared to now. Sad but true.

Edited February 4, 2014 by The Nal

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

Im not sure he has political views in that context. Hes quite apolitical actually. His later comments about Powell have been in support of the expolited immigrant worker more than anything.

Comparing him to the EDL is a bit much.

Theres a lot of mock outrage everywhere at the moment when it suits.

As well as making racist comments, Lennon was also a wife beater by the way. By his own admission. Beat up both of his wives at some point. Is he ticked off the artistic register aswell now?

And if not, why not?

Sounds a lot like the people complaining about Islam being a restrictive, oppressive religion and using this as an excuse to ban it.

Drunk man racially abuses someone in a restaurant because he tried it on with his wife, then consistently, over time, states his support for one of the most racial hatred inciting figures in British history. I think, and hope, if most people saw the facts without use of Clapton's name, they'd see it as out of order.

And Lennon was a cockend as well, no argument with me.

[zahidf]

Agree 100% and if I ever interviewed Eric Clapton (in fantasy land) it would be one thing I'd really nail him on and get his true thoughts on the matter.

He was asked about it and he answered. I think we know his true thoughts about Enoch!

[russycarps]

mick ronson was well better than clapton.

Greatest british guitarist of all time clapton? no way man!

Edited February 4, 2014 by russycarps

[The Nal]

He was asked about it and he answered. I think we know his true thoughts about Enoch!

So whats worse then? Having rights wing leanings or beating up women? On multiple occasions? Like Lennon did, Jimi Hendrix did and lots of others.

They're all ok though in comparison are they? OK to sing along to Crosstown Traffic in the car but Sunshine of Your Love is a no no?

mick ronson was well better than clapton.

Greatest british guitarist of all time clapton? no way man!

I love Mick Ronson but hes not in Erics league*.

*Note - Not the English Defence League.

Edited February 4, 2014 by The Nal

[Wooderson]

"Get the coons out."

Nice one, Eric.

[zahidf]

So whats worse then? Having rights wing leanings or beating up women? On multiple occasions? Like Lennon did, Jimi Hendrix did and lots of others.

They're all ok though in comparison are they? OK to sing along to Crosstown Traffic in the car but Sunshine of Your Love is a no no?

I'm not sure what your point is. The point is that Clapton has some dodgy ways of thinking which might ( MIGHT) not make him suitable for an inclusive festival like Glasto. I think it's fair to describe him as a Powell supporter.

I don't know why you bring long dead artists into it. It's not about wether you should listen to Clapton or not. That's up to you.

[Wooderson]

He's a racist boozehound. The most famous "moments" in his dull career are a rake of covers and a solo by Duane Allman.

"Wonderful Tonight" is sub-Phil Collins.

"Tears in Heaven" is decent enough I spose. Hardly gonna get you to take our yer ballax and swing 'em round the rafters however.

[CaledonianGonzo]

I'm not sure what your point is. The point is that Clapton has some dodgy ways of thinking which might ( MIGHT) not make him suitable for an inclusive festival like Glasto. I think it's fair to describe him as a Powell supporter.

I don't know why you bring long dead artists into it. It's not about wether you should listen to Clapton or not. That's up to you.

I still listen to Strawberry Fields Forever, but if I was organising a benefit for a Women's Refuge I'd think twice before inviting the ghost of John Lennon along to perform.

[mrtourette]

Claptrap more like.

[The Nal]

"Get the coons out."

Nice one, Eric.

Madness from Slowhand. Never heard the actual audio but when you listen to the bot version its very Brass Eye.

I'm not sure what your point is. The point is that Clapton has some dodgy ways of thinking which might ( MIGHT) not make him suitable for an inclusive festival like Glasto. I think it's fair to describe him as a Powell supporter.

I don't know why you bring long dead artists into it. It's not about wether you should listen to Clapton or not. That's up to you.

My point is that people are quite hypocritical when it suits. Proven on this thread.

Lets take a possible Glasto act then. Jimmy Page was a paedophile in the 70s but people want Zeppelin to play. Do you think if Zeppelin were announced people would be kicking off in the same way?

So whats worse. Spouting drunken racist bullshit or actually having sex with children? Bill Wyman too. People were moaning about him not appearing with the Stones last year.

"We want to see the paedo!! It'll make for a better gig"

He's a racist boozehound. The most famous "moments" in his dull career are a rake of covers and a solo by Duane Allman.

"Wonderful Tonight" is sub-Phil Collins.

"Tears in Heaven" is decent enough I spose. Hardly gonna get you to take our yer ballax and swing 'em round the rafters however.

Wonderful Tonight is the absolute pits.

But the most famous highlights in his career are his guitar playing. Most of it. Hes unreal.

I should point out that I'm not even a huge fan. Most of his work is MOR bore. But when he gets it right!

[zahidf]

You should probably ask why Jimmy Page wasn't arrested/convicted. He may still be!

I think you'll find it unlikely that Rolf Harris or Roy Harper ( If found guilty) would be welcome back to the festival.

[Wooderson]

A lot of these dudes were creeps, lets face it.

Costello has played the fest more than a few times and he has some "rookie numbers" in his locker too.