Joe Walsh will not be performing at a July 18th concert he was initially scheduled to perform in Cleveland, OH. In a statement he released on Wednesday, Walsh said the event was billed to him as a benefit for the families of veterans, but after he discovered it was part of the Republican National Convention, he made the announcement that he is withdrawing from the show.
“It was my understanding that I was playing a concert which was a nonpartisan event to benefit the families of American veterans on Monday, July 18 in Cleveland. The admat I approved said this specifically,” the singer said in the statement. “Today it was announced that this event is, in fact, a launch for the Republican National Convention.”
Walsh, who will be co-headlining the One Hell of a Night Tour with Bad Company beginning this spring, also took issue with being affiliated with an event that would garner money for the 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,” he continued. “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.”
Last weekend, Walsh made a surprise appearance during the Arcs performance at Coachella. Walsh will be performing about a 40 minute drive from Cleveland when the One Hell of a Night Tour makes its stop in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, on June 26th.
– Rolling Stone
