So let me get this straight... NOW you want us to start wearing facemasks?
Not 3 or 4 months ago when all this kicked off?
NOW... when you're opening everything up again? NOW you've decided it's a good idea after all!?!
I have no problem with wearing a mask. As long as I can get one like the one at the top of this post. But do you know what I'd like more than a mask?
Someone in charge who has the first clue!
I've never been that much of an Eric Clapton fan, but I saw a bit of that documentary about him on BBC4 the other week and it made me like him a little bit more. Here's a not-too-shabby tune from the man himself that fits the bill today...
Agree about Eric Clapton, have never been keen on him but also thought he came across better in the documentary - thanks, I think, to the wisdom and mellowing that comes with age (well, for some).
ReplyDeleteAgreed too about the face masks. I had to wear one for the first time yesterday - it felt very strange I must admit - as had to go to the dentist. It was all very different in there, quite surreal, but they coped with it admirably. Seeing them in all their heavy duty PPE whilst doing what they do also highlighted why I've no grounds to complain about wearing one in a shop.
Sorry, Rol - you need to read this this.
ReplyDeleteClapton is the reason Rock Against Racism started.
From Wiki:
DeleteHistory
Originally conceived as a one-off concert with a message against racism, Rock Against Racism was founded in 1976 by Red Saunders, Roger Huddle, Jo Wreford, Pete Bruno and others. According to Huddle, "it remained just an idea until August 1976", when Eric Clapton made a drunken declaration of support for former Conservative minister Enoch Powell (known for his anti-immigration Rivers of Blood speech) at a concert in Birmingham.[2] Clapton told the crowd that England had "become overcrowded" and that they should vote for Powell to stop Britain from becoming "a black colony". He also told the audience that Britain should "get the foreigners out, get the wogs out, get the coons out", and then he repeatedly shouted the National Front slogan "Keep Britain White".[3][4] Saunders, Wreford and Bruno, who were members of the agit-prop theatre group, Kartoon Klowns, together with Huddle, responded by writing a letter to NME expressing their opposition to Clapton's remarks. They claimed these were all the more disgusting because he had his first hit with a cover of Bob Marley's 'I Shot the Sheriff': "Come on Eric... Own up. Half your music is black... Who shot the Sheriff, Eric? It sure as hell wasn't you!" At the end of the letter, they called for people to help form a movement called Rock Against Racism, and they received hundreds of eager replies from fans who recognised the hypocrisy and wanted to proclaim the black roots of the music they loved.[2]
I'm aware of that, John. In fact, I based a acist character in my latest comic on Clapton because of this and gave him some payback. I still saw him differently after the doc and would hope that his views have changed over the years.
DeletePlus, I was a huge Morrissey fan so separating art from artist has been a way of life for me... although even Moz has gone too far in recent times.
Aware of it too - I think what came across in the documentary was that Clapton was very messed up at that point in his life, he was all over the place, drinking, drugs, women, etc. - needy, arrogant and unlikeable. But I got the impression from the film that his awful racist remarks were all part of his fucked-up-ness, and that he regretted it bitterly now he is nore sorted. Not excusing them but I thought it helped explain and I hadn't expected to feel differently about him but I did.
DeleteI seem to recall Elvis Costello made racist remarks early in his career when he was drunk and not thinking straight. He's since apologised on a number of occasions and was a big player in Rock Against Racism.
DeleteWe’ve been wearing masks here in Scotland for a week and it’s now second nature. Most people seem happy to comply. Some pretty cool masks out there too (am I really writing this, as if it’s the most normal thing in the world - 2020, what have you done to us).
ReplyDeleteSurprised to see Eric here as was amused by the name of your comic book character but not his leanings. Will have to look out for that doc.
Still preferred the original version of this by the Yellow Magic Orchestra, great tune.
ReplyDelete