This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Artist News
John hits out at Sound Strike
By CMU Editorial | Published on Thursday 29 July 2010
Elton John won’t be signing up to the Sound Strike campaign. As previously reported, a whole stack of artists have signed up to a boycott of the US state of Arizona because of new immigration laws being introduced there which, it has been argued, will result in a new era of racial profiling and in non-whites being harassed by law enforcement officials.
Rage Against The Machine have been particularly proactive in setting up the campaign, but a diverse range of artists have vowed to not perform in the state in protest at the new laws, including Cypress Hill, Conor Oberst, Kanye West, Maroon 5, Gogol Bordello, My Morning Jacket, Ben Harper, Pitbull, Steve Earle, Billy Bragg and Throwing Muses.
But Elton John will not be adding his name to that list. He played in the state this week and, according to the Arizona Daily Star, the singer told his audience: “We are all very pleased to be playing in Arizona. I have read that some of the artists won’t come here. They are fuckwits! Let’s face it, I still play in California, and as a gay man I have no legal rights whatsoever. So what the fucks with these people?”
It’s not the only pop protest John has shunned this year. Last month he played in Israel despite opposition from some quarters who were lobbying artists to cancel gigs there in protest at the recent Gaza flotilla raid.
In related news (related to the Sound Strike that is), a US federal judge yesterday issued a temporary injunction against key parts of Arizona’s new immigration laws, though State officials say they plan to appeal the decision.
