Eric Clapton called out after comparing Covid vaccines to ‘mass hypnosis’ scheme

Sign up to Roisin O’Connor’s free weekly newsletter Now Hear This for the inside track on all things music Get our Now Hear This email for free Get our Now Hear This email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Speaking to The Real Music Observer in an interview uploaded to their YouTube channel on 21 January, Clapton said he was feeling pretty good nine months after getting “sick with the thing.” On the subject of the vaccines, Clapton told the interviewer he didn’t get the “memo” – or information about “mass formation hypnoses” which began circulating among anti-vaxxers last year – when he received his vaccination. And I could see it then.” “Once I kind of started to look for it, I saw it everywhere,” he claimed, recalling “seeing little things on YouTube which were like subliminal advertising.” Social media users criticised Clapton’s comments, with multiple fans unflatteringly comparing him to fellow musician Neil Young, who recently took a strong stance against vaccine misinformation. Addressing his management team at LookoutManagement and Warner Bros, Young wrote: “Please immediately inform Spotify that I am actively canceling all my music availability on Spotify as soon as possible.” Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial Sign up Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 4 month free trial Sign up Reacting to Clapton’s vaccine claims, Twitter user Frank Köhntopp tweeted: “Always be yourself, unless you can be Eric Clapton. Comedian and actor John Fugelsang tweeted: “Somebody please tell Eric Clapton that the hospital ICUs are filled with un-hypnotised people.” Author Glen Macnow said: “Every time I see Eric Clapton trending, I cringe.