Eric Clapton, a vocal lockdown critic, has delved into his “disastrous” experience with the covid vaccine.

In a letter penned to architect Robin Monotti Graziadei, Clapton detailed his reaction to the AstraZeneca vaccination.

“I took the first jab of AZ and straight away had severe reactions which lasted ten days. I recovered eventually and was told it would be twelve weeks before the second one…,” Clapton wrote via Rolling Stone. 

The Cream guitarist went on to acknowledge that weeks after his first dose of the vaccine, he went for another shot. Clapton claims the reaction was so severe that he worried that he would never be able to play music again.

“About six weeks later I was offered and took the second AZ shot, but with a little more knowledge of the dangers,” he continued. “Needless to say the reactions were disastrous, my hands and feet were either frozen, numb or burning, and pretty much useless for two weeks, I feared I would never play again, (I suffer with peripheral neuropathy and should never have gone near the needle.) But the propaganda said the vaccine was safe for everyone…”

Elsewhere in the letter, Clapton went on to reference “heroes” he’s recently acquainted himself with, including anti-lockdown U.K. politician Desmond Swayne.

“I continue to tread the path of passive rebellion and try to tow the line in order to be able to actively love my family, but it’s hard to bite my tongue with what I now know,” Clapton wrote.

Love Classic Rock?

Get the latest Classic Rock news, features, updates and giveaways straight to your inbox Learn more

In December last year, Clapton contributed to Van Morrison’s maligned anti-lockdown anthem ‘Stand and Deliver.’ 

“Then I was directed to Van [Morrison]; that’s when I found my voice, and even though I was singing his words, they echoed in my heart,” Clapton wrote. “I recorded ‘Stand and Deliver’ in 2020, and was immediately regaled with contempt and scorn.”

YouTube VideoPlay

You can’t stay cool forever.

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine