Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Eric Clapton is roasted on Twitter for releasing song with Van Morrison that slams COVID-19 lockdowns - after the singer called the government 'fascist bullies'
Music legends Eric Clapton and Van Morrison have been slammed on Twitter for joining forces to record a new song that is critical of COVID-19 lockdowns.
Morrison, 75, revealed on Friday that he had collaborated with the legendary guitarist, also 75, for the new track titled 'Stand and Deliver' that is due to be released on December 4.
Clapton - who is the only person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times - recorded the song but it was written by Morrison.
Morrison has been highly critical of the lockdowns imposed across the world in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Music legends Eric Clapton and Van Morrison have been slammed on Twitter for joining forces to record a new song that is critical of COVID-19 lockdowns. The pair, both 75, are pictured above performing in London in March before coronavirus restrictions were enforced
He has previously released three other songs as part of his anti-lockdown crusade that, in particular, protests the measures enforced by the UK government.
Lyrics in his song 'No More Lockdown' include: 'Imperial College scientists making up crooked facts' and 'No more government overreach, no more fascist bullies disturbing our peace'.
Proceeds from all of his songs are going to Morrison's Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund, which aims to help musicians struggling to make it through the crisis.
He has also started a Save Live Music campaign.
'There are many of us who support Van and his endeavors to save live music; he is an inspiration,' Clapton told Variety following the news of their collaboration.
'We must stand up and be counted because we need to find a way out of this mess. The alternative is not worth thinking about. Live music might never recover.'
Morrison, 75, revealed on Friday that he had collaborated with the legendary guitarist, also 75, for the new track titled 'Stand and Deliver' that is due to be released on December 4
Morrison has been highly critical of the lockdowns imposed across the world in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus
Clapton - who is the only person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times - recorded the song but it was written by Morrison. The pair are pictured in London in 2009
He added that the absence of live music amid the lockdowns was 'deeply upsetting'.
'Eric's recording is fantastic and will clearly resonate with the many who share our frustrations,' Morrison said.
'It is heart-breaking to see so many talented musicians lack any meaningful support from the government, but we want to reassure them that we are working hard every day to lobby for the return of live music, and to save our industry.'
Morrison has previously argued that people should have the right to think for themselves.
News of the song, which isn't due to be released for another week, resulted in a barrage of criticism on Twitter against the pair.
In reference to Clapton's comment that live music may never recover, one Twitter user wrote: 'Real people are literally never recovering from the plague. No one wants to die for your tunes.'
Another tweeted: 'On the one hand, Eric Clapton and Van Morrison are former rock stars. On the other hand, they're now 75-year-old white guys.'
'Eric Clapton has been, and still is British Nationalist trash,' one person wrote as another tweeted: 'And now they're dead to me'.
