Photo: Eric Clapton by Martine Ehrenclou
After testing positive for Covid, Eric Clapton cancelled upcoming performances in Zurich on May 17th and Milan on May 18th with the hope that he will be able to resume touring starting with concerts in Bologna on May 20th and May 21st. The two concerts are expected to be rescheduled.
Clapton’s diagnosis was announced Monday on his Facebook page. He tested positive for Covid shortly after performing his second show at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
According to Clapton’s post on his Facebook page, “He has been told by his medical advisors that if he were to resume traveling and performing too soon, it could substantially delay his full recovery. Eric is also anxious to avoid passing on any infection to any of his band, crew, promoters, their staff and of course the fans. So, after intensive internal discussion, it has been decided with great regret and apologies to all those concerned to postpone the performances in Zurich on 17th May and Milan on 18th May, the present hope being to be able to resume the tour starting with the concerts in Bologna on 20th and 21st May.
“It is very frustrating that having avoided Covid throughout lockdown and throughout the period when travel restrictions have been in place Eric should have succumbed to Covid at this point in time, but we very much hope he will be sufficiently recovered by the end of the week to be able to perform the remainder of the planned performances.”
Clapton’s Facebook post further stated that an announcement will be made regarding the rescheduling of postponed shows once dates can be identified.
The 18-time Grammy Award-winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has publicly expressed skepticism about mandates for vaccines, lockdowns and other efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Eric Clapton teamed up with Van Morrison for an anti-lockdown song that Van Morrison wrote in 2020 called “Stand and Deliver.”
The 77-year-old blues musician said last year that he would refuse to perform at venues requiring proof of vaccinations from concertgoers, according to the BBC.
We wish the legendary bluesman a speedy recovery.
Eric Clapton announced new North American Tour Dates for September 2022. For tour dates see HERE.
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