ROCKIN' IN THE FREE WORLD

Some Eric Clapton fans may not care to hear him play "Cocaine" in concert, but for someone to say he can't perform the song would be ridiculous.

Well, that could happen later this month when Clapton performs in Shanghai, China.

Rolling Stones fans may recall that last spring the band was not permitted to play certain songs in China because of their sexual content -- although the randy "Start Me Up" wasn't nixed and the Stones did play it.

And even though the lyrics to "Cocaine" could be interpreted as either pro- or anti-drug, the song's title ought to be enough for China's conservative czars to order Clapton not to play it.

Anyway, at least Clapton will get to perform in Shanghai. Rapper Jay-Z was denied the chance in October, and the reported reason was the need to protect fans from nasty lyrics.

There's been more than enough music censorship nonsense in America through the years. Let's hope the country's political conservatives don't follow China's lead with regard to what can be performed in concert.