Joan Jett, Willie Nelson, Heart & others boycotting SeaWorld
by Wyatt Marshall
Joan Jett at Riot Fest Chicago in September (more by Kristie Shanley)
Heart, Willie Nelson and Barenaked Ladies have cancelled performances at SeaWorld Orlando’s Bands, Brew & Barbecue February music series (hope seafood’s not on the menu) in the wake of multiple airings of the documentary Blackfish on CNN and popular backlash to the conditions of orca captivity portrayed in the film. Blackfish chronicles the 39-year history of killer whales in captivity up until the killing of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau by the orca Tilikum in 2010, a whale that was tied to two previous human deaths. The documentary has sparked outrage over the conditions of orca captivity, and both Willie Nelson and Barenaked Ladies were spurred to make their decisions to not perform based on Change.org petitions. According to the AP, Joan Jett has also asked that the park no longer use her song “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” as the “walk-in music” for the “Shamu Rocks” show at the park. The song has since been pulled.
Update: Cheap Trick cancelled too.
Via Bloomberg, SeaWorld’s response:
“While we’re disappointed a small group of misinformed individuals was able to deny fans what would have been great concerts at SeaWorld by Heart, Barenaked Ladies and Willie Nelson, we respect the bands’ decisions,” Nick Gollattscheck, a spokesman for SeaWorld Orlando, said in an e-mailed statement.
This isn’t the first time Joan Jett’s stood up for animal rights. She got herself kicked off of the South Dakota Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Float for being a vegetarian, a lifestyle choice that didn’t sit well with the rancher friendly state, and recently Jett lent her likeness to a PETA postage stamp along with Ricky Martin, Paul McCartney, Russell Simmons, and Morrissey (who is NOT signing copies of his book at the Union Square Barnes and Noble this week, and most likely wouldn’t perform at SeaWorld).
Would Grimes perform at SeaWorld?
Watch the trailer for Blackfish below…
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