Dorian Lynskey

Music and revolt

An enraged fan, on hearing Clapton’s xenophobic rant in 1976, announced the formation of Rock Against Racism, whose concerts helped destroy the National Front

On 13 August 1977, a demonstration by the National Front was routed in the streets of Lewisham by thousands of anti-fascist activists. The latter’s elation palled, however, when they saw the evening news frame the event as a battle between rival extremists. Among the critical voices were Labour’s deputy leader Michael Foot and the Daily Mirror, which branded the anti-fascists ‘as bad as the National Front’.

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