The 60’s and 70’s big time rockers (well, Van was always more Jazz) remember the days growing up and advocating freedom
Music Legends Van Morrison and Eric Clapton Team for Anti-Lockdown Anthem ‘Stand and Deliver’
Rock music legends Van Morrison and Eric Clapton have teamed up for “Stand and Deliver,†a song that takes coronavirus lockdowns to task.
“There are many of us who support Van and his endeavors to save live music; he is an inspiration,†Clapton said according to Variety. “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.â€
Clapton also said that the end of live entertainment due to coronavirus lockdowns is “deeply upsetting.â€
Proceeds for the track — set to be released on December 4 — will go to Morrison’s Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund, which works to lend financial assistance to musicians left struggling during the global pandemic and the mitigation lockdowns imposed across the world.
“It is heartbreaking 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 added upon release of news of his Clapton collaboration.
Rock and roll and so much of the music industry used to be about rebellion, counter-culture, doing your own thing, government out of our bedrooms, “trust no one above 30”, “sex, drugs, rock and roll”. It wasn’t necessarily anti-government, just about freedom to do your thing. Rockers were livid over Al and Tipper Gore’s Senate hearings on rock lyrics. Folk rock was the first to take on the Vietnam war while JFK was still president. The Age of Aquarius, free love, No Nukes, etc and so on (I don’t want to dive into this rabbit hole, I’ll be here all day). Now? Music is taking the Government’s side so often, mostly those in “today’s hit music”, but, some in rock, hard rock, heavy metal, even punk and country. Of course, most of these “hit music” makers (songs written by committees of other people, music from computers, massive use of autotune) don’t worry about Government bothering them, because they say the Right Things and are rich. So, good for Clapton and Morrison to stand up
Morrison’s criticism of lockdowns has stirred controversy in certain circles, especially among government officials. The “Moondance†singer recently drew criticism from Northern Ireland’s health minister Robin Swann who called the protest songs “dangerous.â€
“I don’t know where he gets his facts. I know where the emotions are on this,†Swann told BBC in September, “but I will say that sort of messaging is dangerous.†As Rolling Stone reported, Morrison has for decades voiced grievances through song, but “this time, Morrison’s preferred method of venting might also cause harm to others.â€
Even during the Vietnam era and the era of Reagan’s big military buildup (meant to scare Russia and destroy it’s economy, not fight a war, especially with nukes), government didn’t try to shut music artists down. Of course, now they are worried about Wrongthink, and government must censor. Having a message is dangerous? Well, yes, to government figures using their power to control citizens. Freedom for the peons is dangerous to authoritarians.
