This really baffles me. I love Clapton's guitar wizardry and many of his soulful songs, such as his heartbreaking "Tears in Heaven," his romantic ballad "Wonderful Tonight" (a staple at weddings) and his deeply spiritual anthem "Let it Grow." And he has had a lifelong reverence for iconic blues legends--all black--like Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson (whose music he featured on his later album "Mr. Johnson and Me.")

How could such a soulful and talented musician have such toxic, racist attitudes toward black people and foreigners? I wish I knew. I suspect it comes from the white working-class British subculture in which he was raised, where bitter resentment of foreigners is deeply engrained. Still, I think it is important to distinguish between the artist and the man. I cannot "cancel" him.