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Quick Takes: Eric Clapton, Berry Gordy, Jr., Joni Mitchell, & Bette Midler, Sting, George Martin

By Music News Jul 21, 2021 | 7:00 PM
  • Eric Clapton is doubling down on his very public anti-vaxxer stance in the wake of Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson stating that venues hosting large crowds need to have the audience show proof of vaccination. Clapton responded by issuing a statement via Robin Monotti Graziadei, a London-based architect and anti-lockdown activist, which read: “Following the PM’s announcement on Monday the 19th of July, 2021, I feel honor bound to make an announcement of my own: 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.” (Ultimate Classic Rock)
  • Joni Mitchell, Berry Gordy, Jr., Bette Midler, Lorne Michaels, and opera singer Justino Diaz, will be awarded Kennedy Center Honors on December 5th in Washington, D.C. The Honors, which will return as a full capacity in-person event this year, will be broadcast live on CBS, live streamed on Paramount+, and available on demand. (Deadline)
  • Sting has tagged on a second orchestral date with North Carolina's Greensboro Symphony Orchestra this fall. In addition to the previously announced November 20th date at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, the Police frontman will now also play November 21st, with tickets going on sale to the public on Friday, July 30th at 10:00 am. (Press release)
  • Set for release via on-demand and digital platforms on August 17th is the new documentary, Under The Volcano. The film chronicles the legendary AIR Studios on the West Indian island of Montserrat owned by the Beatles' late-producer George Martin. Rolling Stone reported, the film features, “incredible archival footage and new interviews with Sting, Mark Knopfler, Tony Iommi, Verdine White, Giles Martin, Jimmy Buffet, and many others.” (Rolling Stone)