Livin' La Vida Solo...
This week I stumbled onto a story. It appears that in Janurary 2001 when Bush was being Inaugurated many Celebrities declined to participate despite desperate pleas from Whitehouse aides! If you will recall RICKY MARTIN was the only high-profile artist to appear at the first of US President-elect GEORGE W. BUSH's inauguration parties in WASHINGTON D.C., despite pleas from his aides for VAN MORRISON and the BACKSTREET BOYS, amongst others, to appear.
Martin appeared at the Lincoln Memorial January 18th, on the first of four days of parties in the US capital to celebrate Republican Bush's controversial victory over Democrat Al Gore. It was a stunning presentation, the One Term President and the One hit Wonder!
Earlier that week Van Morrison made it clear he would not top the bill at the show. His label Virgin released a brief statement declaring the claims that he would be "performing or attending the inauguration ceremonies of President-elect George W. Bush" as "absolutely false" and insisting Morrison was never scheduled to appear "and has no intention of doing so".
And in a further dig at the Boyish President, a posting on Morrison's respected fan website - www.harbour.sfu.ca/~hayward/van/van.html - declared that it was probably for the best, as Bush should have been concerned in case Morrison decided to play hits 'Village Idiot' and 'Madame George'.
It has also been reported that teen idols Backstreet Boys turned down overtures from Bush. Of the five band members two are known Republicans, while the remaining three are Democrats.
Ricky Martin may not be on the top of every ones Kazaa List these days but is a fine representation of Bush's outdated musical taste. In 1998, Bush as Governor of Texas, declared May 15 'ZZ Top Day' in the state capital Austin.
This was all far cry from the inauguration of Bill Clinton 10 years ago. During the ceremony and subsequent two terms of office Clinton could count on the support of stars such as Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Tom Petty and Barbra Streisand, as well as a host of Hollywood A-list names. Many of which are listed on this very site.
Ricky danced with President Bush embarrassing all Americans worldwide. Martin sang hit songs like "Livin' La Vida Loca" and "She's all I ever had."
Ricky Martin planned to Preform the song 'THE CUP OF LIFE' but according to MTV news, though careful to point out that his disgruntlement was not aimed at Martin personally, the writer of the song - Grammy-nominated Robi 'Draco' Rosa - objects to the fact that the Republicans are hijacking Latinos, claiming "It's about Bush using my song and Latinos as pawns."
He continues: "I'm not going to be a monkey performing at the palace. I'm all for celebrating with my people, but only when it's for something real. This is a President who would have people in his cabinet who would obstruct the exercise of civil rights, human rights, consumer rights, the right to choose, the right to be free of gun violence and the right to a clean environment. This is a betrayal of everything that every Puerto Rican should stand for."
Ricky Martin has yet to issue a statement.
Robert Stark is a contributing Member to LiberalArtists.com
Bush Wacked:
http://www.nme.com/news/13642.htm
THE POLITICS OF DANCING:
http://www.nme.com/news/13068.htm
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