Eric Clapton and Racism

"Vote for Enoch Powell. Enoch's our man. I think Enoch's right, I think we should send them all back. Stop Britain from becoming a black colony. Get the foreigners out. Get the wogs out. Get the coons out. Keep Britain white. I used to be into dope, now I'm into racism. It's much heavier, man. Fucking wogs, man. Fucking Saudis taking over London. Bastard wogs. Vote for Enoch, he's our man, he's on our side, he'll look after us. I want all of you here to vote for Enoch, support him, he's on our side. Enoch for Prime Minister! Throw the wogs out! Keep Britain white!" - Eric Clapton in 1976

Legendary rock guitarist Eric Clapton has always acknowledged his indebtedness to black musicians. His biggest hit single was a cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff." Black blues guitarists were his main sources of inspiration.

It came as a shock in 1976 when Clapton gave an on stage shout out to avowedly racist British politician Enoch Powell. At first Clapton claimed to be drunk when he made the comments. Since that time he has called Powell "outrageously brave... he spoke from the heart."

Now that Clapton has published an autobiography, his support for keeping Britain white should not be forgotten. Salon seems to have forgotten. In a review of the book they don't bring up the issue at all. Shame on them.