Controversy tends to follow musicians around, especially those who carry celebrity status on the largest stages. Perhaps it has something to do with the sheer amount of attention that is sometimes cast upon one particular person, which is, of course, not natural or even healthy. Musicians and other artists have a specific drive—especially when starting their careers—to want to be at the centre of attention; they crave it to some extent.
Objectively speaking, there’s a degree of narcissism or egocentricity involved in knowingly placing yourself on a stage where many are watching, regardless of whether it is in the name of art or not. The attention, magnified tenfold by an artist’s success, can have detrimental effects. We’ve all heard the stories: drugs, affairs, outlandish outfits, hotel room destruction, and abusive behaviour. But what happens when controversy takes the form of a political scandal or abhorrent racist comments? The stakes become much higher, and the consequences far more severe. Such controversies tarnish an artist’s reputation and can lead to widespread public backlash, legal repercussions, and a lasting impact on their career and personal life.
There have been various cases in the past, and for some strange reason, 1976 was a year of political controversy among numerous rock stars, with a number of political outbursts tending to take shape in the form of fascist comments. It was around the time when David Bowie rolled his ghostly ‘Thin White Duke’ character out from his seminal amnesiac Station to Station album. During an interview with a Swedish newspaper, Bowie uttered the regrettable words, “I believe Britain could benefit from a fascist leader”. In addition, Bowie was also seen allegedly doing the Nazi salute from a car model that Hitler drove as well, something he denied but still followed him around for years after.
In the same year, 1976, British Conservative MP Enoch Powell’s anti-multicultural views had taken a stranglehold on swathes of the country. His disturbing rhetoric of anti-immigration policies and fierce nationalism struck a chord with a generation sick of the abject poverty around them. But while many found themselves being drawn to the incendiary but inclusive genre of punk and all it had to offer, others were proving themselves to be out of touch with reality.
During a concert in that same year, a drunken Eric Clapton slurred his way through a rant about “dark-skinned immigrants” and, in giving credence to the politician’s rhetoric, suggested that Powell was correct in his flagrantly fascist and downright disgusting stance. You may be thinking, how bad could Eric Clapton’s comments really have been? Well, pretty terrible indeed.
But what did Eric Clapton actually say?
In August 1976, Clapton took the stage at the Birmingham Odeon in England, a venue packed with fans eager to bask in the magic of his music. What unfolded that night, however, was a shocking tirade that revealed a much darker side of a man they once dubbed “God”. In a pause during his performance, Clapton launched into a racist diatribe that left the audience and the music world aghast.
“Stop Britain from becoming a black colony. Get the foreigners out,” exclaimed Clapton to his captive audience. “Get the w*gs out. Get the c**ns out. Keep Britain white,” he added.
Clapton began his remarks in the worst possible way, addressing the audience: “Do we have any foreigners in the audience tonight?” he began. “If so, please put up your hands. So where are you? Well, wherever you 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.”
He added: “Listen to me, man! I think we should send them all back.”
Aside from being a deeply ugly and violently insulting thing to say, comments steeped in both fury and ignorance, the heavy contradictory nature of it all is that Eric Clapton considers himself a blues musician. It makes it all grossly hypocritical, showing a level of racist ignorance beyond belief. His work with Cream, other bands and his solo work—even his pop songs—are all steeped in the blues traditions. During the 1960s, Clapton led the way in integrating the blues that Black Americans had made with such soul into the new pop landscape that The Beatles had created. He wasn’t the only one, either. Across the board, the day’s musicians heavily leant on the sounds emanating from the Delta blues. To put it simply, even in 2024, he continues the heritage of Black American music, profiting off of it to a more than princely sum.
Immediate repercussions…
The backlash was swift and severe. Fans and fellow musicians alike expressed their outrage and disappointment. Many who had admired Clapton for his artistic contributions found themselves grappling with a profound sense of betrayal. His comments not only shocked the public but also spurred a broader cultural response.
While Clapton would undoubtedly rock the world of his fans by revealing his racist standpoint, his disgusting outburst would spur the ‘Rock Against Racism’ movement, the punk retaliation to not only Powell and his incendiary rhetoric of division but to rock stars like Clapton using their privileged position to heap further misery on the oppressed. As a mark of his realisation, Clapton donated heavily to the cause and continues to make financial contributions to this day, but make of that what you will.
Of course, with time passing by, Clapton has recognised in himself the shame that few have had the time to come to terms with. As an act of damage limitation, the musician has since expressed great regret for the racist comments he belched out. “I was so ashamed of who I was, a kind of semi-racist, which didn’t make sense,” he said.
As the tropes often follow a pattern, Clapton continued his efforts in a way that could only make society roll its eyes in embarrassment. He continued: “Half of my friends were black, I dated a black woman, and I championed black music,” in comments that will make the majority of those reading shudder.
While Clapton’s musical contributions remain significant, this dark chapter serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and contradictions that often lie within our cultural figureheads. It’s a reminder that even those who are idolised can harbour deeply flawed, disturbing, and harmful beliefs. The incident serves as a poignant example of the importance of accountability. It underscores the necessity for those in the limelight to be mindful of their influence and the impact of their words. While Clapton’s music continues to resonate, this dark chapter is a critical reminder of the ongoing struggle against racism and the need for continual reflection and progress in the fight for equality.
