Eric Clapton and Van Morrison team up to release song slamming Covid-19 lockdowns – saying cash raised will go to musicians struggling to make living during pandemic
- Eric Clapton and Van Morrison teamed up to release a song slamming lockdowns
- The Brown Eyed Girl hitmaker wrote song which was recorded by Eric Clapton
- Proceeds from songs are going to Morrison’s Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund
Eric Clapton and Van Morrison have teamed up to release a song slamming Covid-19 lockdowns and reveal cash raised will go to musicians struggling in the pandemic.
Morrison, 75, revealed on Friday that he had collaborated with the legendary guitarist, also 75, for the new track titled ‘Stand and Deliver’ that is due to be released on December 4.
The Brown Eyed Girl hitmaker wrote the song which was recorded by Clapton – the only person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times.
Van Morrison, 75, revealed on Friday that he had collaborated with the legendary guitarist, also 75, for the new track titled ‘Stand and Deliver’ that is due to be released on December 4. Pictured: Van Morrison and Eric Clapton perform at the the O2 in March
Proceeds from all of his songs are going to Morrison’s Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund, which aims to help musicians struggling to make it through the crisis.
Morrison has also started a Save Live Music campaign which tweeted on Friday: ‘NEW TRACK RELEASE. In a bid to save live venues and support musicians, @vanmorrison and @EricClapton are releasing a new single, ‘Stand and Deliver’.
‘Download the exclusive track on December 4th to #SaveLiveMusic.’
Morrison has also started a Save Live Music campaign which tweeted on Friday: ‘NEW TRACK RELEASE. In a bid to save live venues and support musicians, @vanmorrison and @EricClapton are releasing a new single, ‘Stand and Deliver’.
Speaking about the collaboration, The Wonderful Tonight singer told Variety: ‘There are many of us who support Van and his endeavours to save live music; he is an inspiration.
‘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.’
He added that the absence of live music amid the lockdowns was ‘deeply upsetting’.
‘Eric’s recording is fantastic and will clearly resonate with the many who share our frustrations,’ Morrison said.
Clapton – who is the only person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times – recorded the song but it was written by Morrison. The pair are pictured in London in 2009
‘It is heart-breaking 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 has been highly critical of the lockdowns imposed across the world in a bid to stop the spread of coronavirus.
He has previously released three other songs as part of his anti-lockdown crusade that, in particular, protests the measures enforced by the UK government.
Lyrics in his song ‘No More Lockdown’ include: ‘Imperial College scientists making up crooked facts’ and ‘no more government overreach, no more fascist bullies disturbing our peace’.
Morrison has previously argued that people should have the right to think for themselves.
However the song, which isn’t due to be released for another week, resulted in criticism against the pair on Twitter.
Clapton and Morrison last performed together at the O2 in London in March before lockdown was imposed to raise funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.