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Did Eric Clapton really ask foreigners to 'get out'? Truth behind racist remarks amid 'Stand and Deliver' release

Clapton apologized saying, 'I was so ashamed of who I was, a kind of semi-racist, which didn’t make sense. Half of my friends were Black, I dated a Black woman, and I championed Black music'

Rock music icon Eric Clapton is teaming up with Van Morrison to release a new single ‘Save and Deliver’ but the internet is once again reminded of a racist rant by Clapton, which took place in 1976. Prior to the release of Clapton and Morrison's new single on December 4, reports regarding Clapton’s racist comments have resurfaced and Twitter users are slamming him for the "extremely bigoted" statements. Some new users are also finding out about the incident only just about now.

A report quoted Clapton’s remarks during a concert in Birmingham, England, on August 5, 1976, where the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame said, Do we have any foreigners in the audience tonight? If so, please put up your hands … So where are you? Well wherever you all are, I think you should all just leave. Not just leave the hall, leave our country … I don’t want you here, in the room or in my country. Listen to me, man! I think we should send them all back. Stop Britain from becoming a Black colony. Get the foreigners out. Get the wogs out. Get the coons out.”

The Yardbird guitarist continued the rant stating “Keep Britain white … The Black wogs and coons and Arabs and f*cking Jamaicans don’t belong here, we don’t want them here. This is England, this is a white country, we don’t want any Black wogs and coons living here. We need to make clear to them they are not welcome. England is for white people, man … This is Great Britain, a white country, what is happening to us, for f*ck’s sake? … Throw the wogs out! Keep Britain white!”

Later Clapton apologized for the remarks. A report quoted his apology where the guitarist said, “I was so ashamed of who I was, a kind of semi-racist, which didn’t make sense. Half of my friends were Black, I dated a Black woman, and I championed Black music.” But his latest venture with Van Morrison is getting negative comments at the mention of his racist comments; The project involves the duo making apparently an anti-lockdown song to help the musicians who have been affected by the UK’s lockdown and restrictions of live programs.

A user said, “So, Eric Clapton went on this crazy racist rant and never at any point did someone in his band pull him aside and remind him who wrote the music that made him rich?” Another said, “I guess it's ok for Black people to write the blues that helped make Clapton rich as long as they don't live in his country.” Another user noted, “that fowl racist rant of Eric Clapton was one of the prompts for uk activists to create the Rock Against Racism music concerts and movement - its legacy still continues in anti-fascist concerts across the country to this day like Love Music Hate Racism.”

Users are also not happy with ‘anti-lockdown’ remarks made by Morrison and performing songs against COVID restrictions. A user said, “Did you see Van Morrison and Eric Clapton are performing songs against Covid restrictions? Are you as disappointed and angry as I am? (I mean, I know you're Angry, but are you angry?)”.

Another user said, “I don’t think Eric Clapton is racist, but his anti lockdown song is not a good thing.” 

Some users also pointed out that the remark was long ago, “Lol at the people that think Eric Clapton is racist. any fan of him knows there is no way he can be racist. People jumping on him for something he said over 40 years ago during the height of his alcoholism and drug addiction.” Another user pointed out, “ (Clapton) Has collaborated with BB King, made a tribute record to Robert Johnson, started Crossroads which showcases tons of Black artists and helps fund drug rehab for low-income individuals. Eric Clapton is NOT racist.”

All the proceeds from their new single  ‘Save and Deliver’ will go to the Morrison’s Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund to help out the artists and musicians and will be
will be released on December 4 and available to stream in iTunes, Amazon Music, Deezer and all other outlets.