
Brian May has offered his view on Eric Clapton’s controversial stance on the coronavirus vaccine, and has labeled “anti-vax people” as “fruitcakes”.
While discussing the subject with the Independent, Queen’s iconic electric guitar player was quizzed about the views of vaccine skeptics Ian Brown and Eric Clapton – the latter of whom recently announced he will not play gigs at venues that require proof of vaccination.
In response to the announcement, May mused, “I love Eric Clapton, he’s my hero, but he has very different views from me in many ways.
“He's a person who thinks it’s OK to shoot animals for fun,” he continued, “so we have our disagreements, but I would never stop respecting the man. Anti-vax people, I’m sorry, I think they’re fruitcakes.
“There’s plenty of evidence to show that vaccination helps. On the whole they’ve been very safe.
“There’s always going to be some side effect in any drug you take, but to go around saying vaccines are a plot to kill you, I’m sorry, that goes in the fruitcake jar for me.”
In an initial statement, Eric Clapton wrote, “Following the PM’s announcement on Monday the 19th of July 2021, I feel honor-bound to make an announcement of my own.
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!
“I wish to say that I will not perform on any stage where there is a discriminated audience present. Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show.”
Prior to announcing his refusal to play at venues that require proof of vaccination, Clapton previously teamed up with fellow vaccine skeptic Van Morrison for the anti-lockdown track, Stand and Deliver.

Matt is the GuitarWorld.com News Editor. He has a Masters in the guitar, a degree in history, and has spent the last 16 years playing everything from blues and jazz to indie and pop. When he’s not combining his passion for writing and music during his day job, Matt records for a number of UK-based bands and songwriters as a session musician.
“Even the thought that Clapton might have seen a few seconds of my video feels surreal. But I’m truly honored”: Eric Clapton names Japanese neo-soul guitarist as one to watch
“You better be ready to prove it’s something you can do”: Giacomo Turra got exposed – but real guitar virtuosos are being wrongly accused of fakery, too