Eagles’ Guitarist, Singer Says His Concert Was Being Billed as Launch to GOP Convention Without His Knowledge
Joe Walsh has canceled a July 17 concert in Cleveland, Ohio, that was to benefit veterans. The iconic Eagles’ guitarist, and singer-songwriter says without his knowledge or approval, the concert and his name were being used as “a launch for the Republican National Convention,” which kicks off July 18 in Cleveland. He cites Republican “vitriol” as the reason he’s canceling his concert, which he says was specifically supposed to be non-partisan.
“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,” Walsh writes on Facebook. “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.”
Walsh, a brand name in music for more than four decades – his first album with The Eagles was “Hotel California” – adds that he is “very concerned about the rampant vitriol, fear-mongering and bullying coming from the current Republican campaigns.”
He calls the all three candidates’ platforms “isolationist and spiteful.”
“I cannot in good conscience endorse the Republican party in any way,” he concludes. “I will look at doing a veteran related benefit concert later this year.”
Walsh’s announcement comes after weeks of cancellations by other iconic musicians and artists, including Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr, over Republican anti-LGBT and “religious freedom” laws in North Carolina and Mississippi.
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