Claiming he feels hoodwinked, Joe Walsh has canceled a concert in Cleveland during the Republican National Convention on July 18th. In a Facebook post, Walsh says he was led to believe the performance was to be for a non-partisan concert to benefit families of American veterans, when in fact that the show was to serve as a kick-off for the convention and that it was being used to generate convention related funds.
Walsh has promised to schedule a veterans event later this year. We’ll see him with Bad Company at FirstMerit Bank Pavillion on June 23rd.
Walsh’s statement:
A Statement From Joe Walsh Regarding His Withdrawl From a Concert Event on Monday, July 18th in Cleveland, OH
April 20, 2016 – “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 18 in Cleveland. 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.
I am very concerned about the rampant vitriol, fear-mongering and bullying coming from the current Republican campaigns. 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.”
— Joe Walsh