Eric Clapton and Van Morrison have joined forces for the new single, titled, “Stand And Deliver,” which drops on Friday (December 4th). The track, written by Morrison and sung by “Slowhand,” is Morrison's latest “lockdown” single recorded as part of his “Save Live Music” campaign. Proceeds from the recording, “will go to the Morrison’s Lockdown Financial Hardship Fund, which helps musicians facing difficulties as a result of the coronavirus and resulting lockdown measures.”
The musicians' stance has rubbed some of the public the wrong way, many of whom are happy to listen to the scientists regarding the ongoing pandemic and willing to wait out seeing live music until the coronavirus is no longer a lethal threat.”
Variety quoted Clapton saying he found the lockdown, “deeply upsetting,” and adding, “There are many of us who support Van and his endeavors 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.”
Van Morrison added: “Eric’s recording is fantastic and will clearly resonate with the many who share our frustrations. 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.”
Eric Clapton told us, that like any seasoned performer, he does his best to make sure fans leave the concert satisfied, but his first priority is actually the people standing next to him on stage. He said things only work when he and his fellow musicians are in sync: “I really play for the band — y'know, we play for one another. That's the first priority, is 'Are we all clicking?' And then, once you've looked inward, you look out and see if everyone's okay out there.”