Said by Keith sounds a bit bizarre, but this is it.
Over the past two years, or so, during the pandemic, Clapton has been as vocal as any about his vaccine skepticism. Indeed, he’s in many ways become the face of the matter, for better or worse, along with the likes of podcast host Joe Rogan and more. (Americansongwriter)
In a new interview with Rolling Stone’s Music Now podcast, Richards offered his perspective on vaccines, mandates, and Clapton, saying, “I just want to get rid of this damn thing, and the only way I can see is everybody does as doctor says.”
Richards continued, “I love Eric dearly. I’ve known him since forever and we’ve had ups and downs… This COVID thing, it’s split people up and it made people sometimes go awry for a while, you know. Hope you rethink here and let’s do this thing.”
Listen here what Keith Richards tells host Brian Hiatt about the future of the Rolling Stones without Charlie Watts, making his 1992 solo classic 'Main Offender,' his reaction to Paul McCartney calling the Stones a "blues cover band" and much more
Clapton, who also teamed up with another big-name singer, Van Morrison, became known as one of the biggest COVID-19 skeptics since 2020, even before the shots were available. He’s been widely criticized for it, even Robert Plant commented on the situation, saying, “Good old Eric. He didn’t like the jab—but he had the jab.”
Thankfully, Richards isn’t the only fellow classic rock icon to call out Clapton’s idiocy. Queen’s Brian May said it best last summer: “Anti-vax people, I’m sorry, I think they’re fruitcakes,” he said in an interview.
Van Morrison has once again teamed up with Eric Clapton for an ornery collaboration. Released under the moniker Slowhand & Van, “The Rebels” is a duet of “Where Have All the Rebels Gone,” one of the songs on Morrison’s most recent studio album. (Rolling Stone)
“The Rebels” takes the song in a more blues-rock direction, with Clapton singing lead and Morrison joining in on harmony vocals throughout the song.
“Where have all the rebels gone?/Hiding behind computer screens,” Clapton sings. “Where’s the spirit? Where’s the soul?/Where have all the rebels gone?”
Last December, Clapton and Morrison teamed up for “Stand Up and Deliver,” which followed a string of songs from Morrison that protested lockdown measures in the United Kingdom throughout the pandemic.
Proceeds for “The Rebels” will be donated to the Van Morrison Rhythm & Blues Foundation, which Morrison instituted during the pandemic “as an emergency fund for musicians who are facing financial hardship as a direct result of the government restrictions on live music introduced in March 2020.”
