Controversy
On August 5, 1976, Clapton was placed the center of controversy when he spoke out against increasing immigration during a concert in Birmingham. Visibly intoxicated, he remarked that England had "become overcrowded" and told the audience to "Stop Britain from becoming a black colony". He said, "I used to be into dope, now I'm into racism." Clapton also voiced his support of controversial political candidate Enoch Powell, telling the crowd "I think Enoch's right...we should send them all back. Throw the wogs out! Keep Britain white!". These comments, along with equally controversial remarks and actions by David Bowie apparently expressing admiration for fascism (which Bowie later apologised for), led to the creation of the Rock Against Racism movement in the UK.
Clapton later explained that he felt angry since an "Arab" had felt his wife's bottom. He stated in a 1978 interview that he had "rabbited on about nothing". He stated that "what started it, was the upsurge in London of Arab money-spending and their lack of respect for other people's money. "How much is Hyde Park?" and all that, and for some reason it all came pouring out of me that night". In a 2004 interview with Uncut magazine, Clapton called Enoch Powell "outrageously brave". He also stated that "My feeling about this has not changed really. We have always been up to some funny business in this country, inviting people in as cheap labour and then putting them in ghettos."
Clapton has also stated that "There’s no way I could be a racist. It would make no sense". In his autobiography, he called himself "deliberately oblivious to it all" and wrote, "I had never really understood or been directly affected by racial conflict... when I listened to music, I was disinterested in where the players came from or what colour their skin was."
In the late 1980s Clapton added four black musicians to his band: bassist Nathan East, keyboardist Greg Phillinganes, drummer Steve Ferrone and backing singer Katie Kissoon. Whilst Clapton had previously played and recorded with many black musicians including Buddy Guy, Chuck Berry, BB King and Robert Cray and had also appeared alongside performers of varying ethnicities at collaborative events such as The Concert for Bangla Desh, this was the first time Clapton had been in a band in which the official members were not all white. Defenders of Clapton's claim not to be racist also point out that he has dated Afro-Caribbean supermodel Naomi Campbell, and has had a home on the Caribbean island of Antigua for many years.
In an interview with Melvin Bragg on The South Bank Show broadcast on 2 December 2007, Clapton reiterated his support for Enoch Powell and denied that Powell's views were racist.
Return To Musical career and personal life
Clapton later explained that he felt angry since an "Arab" had felt his wife's bottom. He stated in a 1978 interview that he had "rabbited on about nothing". He stated that "what started it, was the upsurge in London of Arab money-spending and their lack of respect for other people's money. "How much is Hyde Park?" and all that, and for some reason it all came pouring out of me that night". In a 2004 interview with Uncut magazine, Clapton called Enoch Powell "outrageously brave". He also stated that "My feeling about this has not changed really. We have always been up to some funny business in this country, inviting people in as cheap labour and then putting them in ghettos."
Clapton has also stated that "There’s no way I could be a racist. It would make no sense". In his autobiography, he called himself "deliberately oblivious to it all" and wrote, "I had never really understood or been directly affected by racial conflict... when I listened to music, I was disinterested in where the players came from or what colour their skin was."
In the late 1980s Clapton added four black musicians to his band: bassist Nathan East, keyboardist Greg Phillinganes, drummer Steve Ferrone and backing singer Katie Kissoon. Whilst Clapton had previously played and recorded with many black musicians including Buddy Guy, Chuck Berry, BB King and Robert Cray and had also appeared alongside performers of varying ethnicities at collaborative events such as The Concert for Bangla Desh, this was the first time Clapton had been in a band in which the official members were not all white. Defenders of Clapton's claim not to be racist also point out that he has dated Afro-Caribbean supermodel Naomi Campbell, and has had a home on the Caribbean island of Antigua for many years.
In an interview with Melvin Bragg on The South Bank Show broadcast on 2 December 2007, Clapton reiterated his support for Enoch Powell and denied that Powell's views were racist.
Return To Musical career and personal life
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