I came across this article, and can’t say I am all that surprised. To a degree it peels away the hype associated with Mr Clapton, especially that promo info the RSO and their ilk put out in the 70’s. In general there appears to be a dark side to more than a few Rockers of the 60’s and 70’s. Another that comes to mind is Robert Fripp, of course he never attempted to hide it. In this case Rolling Stone peels away one veneer only to replace it with yet another. To a large degree I find Eric to be an imitator, especially when considering the Blues. In the “States” his popularity was also partially attributed to the division in the music industry where top 40 rarely played Blues, as that was considered “race music”. Shameful and ugly it was. Privileged white middle class teens did not have reasonable access to USA based Blues in the 60’s and early 70’s. Underground FM circa 1972 -1976 brought it to a hungry audience to a degree. Regarding Clapton and Cream I too draw the line at Derek and the Dominos. Revisiting Cream I’d say Clapton’s role was good, not great. Ginger and Jack and the internal struggle took Cream from to good to great IMO.
Plus he is a hard core, dedicated antivaxxer and funds such activities.
He and Van Morrison can sit on the porch together and complain about the government.
Correct, which basically is the thrust of the article, that and his performance decline from the 70s to today.
Add Ted Nugent and Robert Fripp.
I’m for a contrarian point of view to add to a debate. I myself an vaccinated along with my entire family. However I respect those people who want to engage in the debate.
I believe their main thrust wasn’t so much vax or not vax, but rather how harmful and probably unnecessary the shut down was and it’s damaging affects too many people. Only the arc of time will prove to people if it was indeed helpful.
Even as a young teen in the 70s I always believed Clapton’s acclaim was overrated, but he is indeed talented and has brought joy to millions of people.
It would be a sad outcome to denigrate a lifetime of contribution to the ARC form because of a view regarding the necessity/lack of necessity of social isolation and shut down.
I’ll argue Clapton’s popularity was driven at least in part by sheer novelty. A British Blues Man dipping a toe into a distinctly American genre? Was bound to pique curiosity. I do agree he’s an imitator, albeit talented. I have Unplugged in my collection really only because of the sonics. As for his opinion on vaccination, I view that as a separate matter not necessarily germane to a discussion of his musical career. We go down that rabbit hole and there are a ton of artists whose personal views we can jawbone about.
yeah, there was a thread about just that a while back.
Clapton had some good songs back in the day. Fair guitarist. Gets more credit than he deserves, I feel.
Was a much bigger fan of Van Morrison. Better groove, better songs. Probably a bigger jerk, though.
Too bad they’ve lost the plot.
Yep. Somebody who remembers that thread. ^^^^^
When you give any human being the opportunity to stand on his or her soapbox and infect the masses with their self righteous attitude they will do just that. Really nothing new under the sun folks…we all have been guilty of it one time or another. It’s just the rich and famous receive more air time than us commoners… I like Clapton’s music but not so much his crooked self worth.
A good friend of mine in New Jersey is a Clapton fanatic. When I pointed out to him recently that Clapton’s anti-vax messaging is making it difficult for me to continue to appreciate EC’s music, my friend responded:
“Gotta separate the art from the artist!!”
As the “I Like the Music But Not the Musician” thread starter, I have lamented that, while I am a big fan of much of EC’s music, his anti-vax antics are getting ridiculous.
Unlike my New Jersey friend and certain posters in the “I Like the Music But Not the Musician” thread, I am not good at separating the art from the artist. I cannot listen to Clapton these days without thinking about his anti-vax campaign which, in turn, affects my ability to enjoy recordings that I once enjoyed without reservation.
I am not about to burn my Clapton LP’s and CD’s, but I am not giving them much – if any – playing time lately, either. I am hoping (but not holding my breath) that EC gets his act together soon and apologizes for the harm he is causing presently with his anti-vax campaign.
Excellent post. I’d add the record label hype machine jacking up his playing with the Beatles and all that Clapton is god crap.
I used to think Robert Fripp was a pompous asshat, but nothing more sinister than that. Lately, though, Fripp is taking himself far less seriously than he used to. See, for example:
Just to be clear to all involved, the intent of the post was not vaccination or not. Personally I tire of it all. The intent was that Clapton’s skill is overstated, and his output has been in decline since Derek and the Dominoes. Maybe I erred in posting this, hmmm? 
Yes, I’ve seen this as well. Poking fun as I see it. Fripp an Asshat, well put!
To all those who feel that Clapton’s talent was/is not up to their standards, how many of us have achieved Mr Clapton’s level of success—in any field?
I guess he sure fooled, and continues to fool a lot of people----uhh–with his limited talent.
And yes, this ingrate, of obviously workmanlike talent, feeling that a Ferrari is a 12 cylinder car did manage to talk a bespoke Ferrari out of the Factory; one with a 12 cylinder where an 8 cylinder was designed to fit. What a bum.
EC Was Here, Backless and 401 Ocean Boulevard sums it up for me. I mean come on, I shot the Sheriff, really? RSO marketing and the payola scheme seemed to benefit Mr Clapton nicely, IMO. It isn’t a matter of “my standards” as it is hyped marketing, when there is talent deserving wider recognition from the same era. Maybe I just “get” Buddy Guy. or Luther Allison.
Good man. 
No more vaccination/COIVD talk, please.
I didn’t know Fripp was an Anti-Vaxxer along with the others. Wow !
Yeah…that’s a tough one @bootzilla but I still listen to my Cream, Blind Faith, & EC solo stuff. Same goes for Fripp & Morrison. Separating the two is never easy (e.g Bill Cosby Comedy Albums that I own but won’t listen to…go figure)