Cool Musicians Won't Perform At GOP's Titanic
The list of musicians unwilling to perform at the Republican Convention in Cleveland keeps growing. First it was Joe Walsh who pulled out of a concert scheduled for July 17th in Cleveland after he found out it was misrepresented as an event to benefit veterans, but was actually a GOP sponsored event. In a statement published yesterday he said:
"It was my understanding that I was playing a concert which was a non partisan event to benefit the families of American veterans on Monday, July 17 in Cleveland. The admat I approved said this specifically. Today it was announced that this event is, in fact, a launch for the Republican National Convention. In addition, my name is to be used to raise sponsorship dollars for convention-related purposes. Therefore, I must humbly withdraw my participation in this event with apologies to any fans or veterans and their families that I might disappoint.
I am very concerned about the rampant vitriol, fear-mongering and bullying coming from the current Republican campaigns. It is both isolationist and spiteful. I cannot in good conscience endorse the Republican party in any way. I will look at doing a veteran related benefit concert later this year."
Cheap Trick told the Guardian that they were approached by the head honchos at the GOP convention and offered a staggering amount, but it was clearly not enough. They explained: