When Bono marched around with his white flag at U2′s 1983 Red Rocks concert in Colorado, the question came up as to whether or not music and politics should be mixed. That question had come up many times before (Let’s not forget about the music of the 60′s), but his white flag and electric performance screaming for peace left its mark on so many people.
That performance is quite obviously emotionally driven, and still, when I watch video footage from it to this day, it holds relevance in our modern world. Yes, I always thought music and politics should, in fact, be mixed, because until recently, I have usually agreed with my musical rock G-ds.
I have agreed with them until I learned that Roger Waters is a major supporter of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement against Israel. He has publicly ridiculed Israel and even has even taken such measures as raising an inflatable pig with a Jewish star on it in his concerts. Though I have grown up on his music, that music has now become tainted for me.
And now….it has happened again. Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder went on an Anti-Israel rant in a concert over the weekend. He was slurring his words, spitting as he spoke and swigging from a bottle of wine. Yes….REAL classy! He says Israel is looking for reasons to kill. What a jerk! I am so disappointed, because I have always loved Pearl Jam. I even met Eddie Vedder once in the San Diego airport. In that one horrible and hateful speech, I think I have to kiss away more music that I love so dearly. Music is art and was created at one moment in time, but I now I associate it to something hateful, which is the most ridiculous thing in the world. Both Waters & Vedder think they are raising awareness for peace, and yet, their words and actions are so violent. (CLICK HERE to see Eddie Vedder’s ant-Israel concert speech.)
Rather than give you all a Pearl Jam video today, I am sticking with Bono’s white flag. Now that’s the way to speak of peace! So please…stop it rock stars…..stop aligning yourselves with terrorists and stick to topics about peace ONLY. All I am saying is “Give Peace a Chance!”
