Standing at the Crossroads...

I saw the news this past week that superstar rock blues guitarist Eric Clapton announced he would not play a concert anywhere that proof  of vaccination or a negative Covid test is required. A brilliant musician for sure, a scientist he is not. 

I have never been a huge Clapton fan except for his earlier recordings with John Mayall, Cream, Derek and the Dominos and Delany and Bonnie. Somewhere in the mid 70s his music no longer spoke to me. I have admired that he has some measure of fame owing to his triumph over substance abuse and his assistance to others with similar problems but for these stars whose fame stretches back decades with piles of money coming in sacks and a life lived in gated communities in the nicest places gives me the feeling that they may not have a good feel for situations that effect the rest of us. 

Clapton, as with most people his age does have some underlying medical conditions and claims a reaction to the vaccine that was so severe he wondered if he would play guitar again. While I would bet Eric has wondered if he would ever play guitar again several times before this instance those with underlying conditions should consult their doctor, not an internet doctor, before getting the vaccine. 

Robert Johnson is known as the King of the Delta Blues. He born in 1911 and traveled the south playing juke joints, parties and street corners. Originally a guitarist of average ability he dropped out of sight. It was reported that he met the Devil at a Mississippi crossroads who tuned his guitar in return for his soul. Resurfacing to record about 30 sides he demonstrated a style of playing with surreal song lyrics that is the foundation of rock music today. 

Sadly Johnson saw no profit from this as on the cusp of a Carnegie Hall invitation popular legend has a jealous man slipping him poison whiskey at a juke joint gig and in 1938 he died on his all fours barking like a dog. At least three different markers have been erected at gravesites suspected to be his. Clapton, whose style benefited from his dedication to the study of Johnson's music has been instrumental in the family receiving some money from song rights and royalties.  

Though much of Johnson's legend links him to the Devil and the selling of his soul I have seen VooDoo practitioners that think the man Johnson met at the crossroads was not the devil but was the more benign figure of Legba. Legba stands at the spiritual crossroads granting or denying permission to speak with the spirits facilitating communication, speech and understanding.

Maybe Clapton needs to stand at the crossroads. He might be a little more in touch.