Roger Waters got me extremely agitated this week. Pink Floyd were my favourite band when I was a teenager, and I still think that their creative output beginning with the album “Meddle” and ending with “The Wall” is the musical version of Sandy Koufax pitching between 1961 – 1966 – i.e. as close to perfect as you can get (cricket fans, think Don Bradman). I spent a huge chunk of my hard earned cash (believe me, working in that laundromat was not fun) on Mr. Waters’ records, CDs and other paraphernalia. So how am I supposed to react when I finally realise (after many years floating in a river in Egypt) that Roger Waters actually hates my guts? I actually feel pain now when I hear his music.
And he’s not the only one. Elvis Costello, Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder…. all make me feel guilty when i listen to their music. Like I’m stalking an ex-girlfriend who despises me. What I really need is to turn my affection to someone who deserves it.
So I started to make a “safe listening list” of artists who I know don’t buy into the BDS crap. I know because each one of them has defied intense pressure, including death threats, to come and either play a live concert in Israel, or at the very least, proudly and unashamedly visit and show some solidarity. The criteria are that they must have been in Israel since Operation Cast Lead in 2008, which is when the pressure on artists to not play in Israel really began in earnest.
A similar list of pro-Israel celebs has been compiled on Israellycool in the past but i figured its time to update that list, and this one is specifically concerned with music.
UPDATE: I want to make this perfectly clear: I am NOT trying to organise a boycott of any artists. This is the equivalent of a “Buy Local” campaign. Encouragement to show some love to people who deserve it.
The Safe Listening List
- Paul McCartney
- Jane’s Addiction
- Deep Purple
- U2
- John Lydon (PIL & The Sex Pistols)
- Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave, Temple of the Dog)
- Leonard Cohen
- Paul Simon
- Porcupine Tree
- Guns N’ Roses
- Alicia Keys
- Alanis Morrisette
- Glenn Hughes (former Deep Purple, Black Country Communion)
- Mike Patton/Faith No More
- Depeche Mode
- Gene Simmons (KISS)
- Elton John
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Linkin Park
- Dream Theater
- Opeth
- Megadeth
- Bob Dylan
- Rihanna
- Barbra Streisand
- Metallica
- Afgan Whigs
- The Jesus and Mary Chain
- John Cale
- Ziggy Marley
- Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger (The Doors)
- Madonna
- Cliff Richard
- Pet Shop Boys
- Moby
- Morrissey
- Ozzy Osborne
- Tom Jones
- Eric Burdon
- Jethro Tull
- 10CC
- Laurie Anderson
- Lou Reed
- Anthrax
- Lady Gaga
- Uriah Heep
- The Scorpions
- Julio Iglesias
- Diana Krall (somewhat interesting: her husband, Elvis Costello, refused to play in Israel)
- Jeff Beck
- Rod Stewart
- Black Eyed Peas
- Dweezil Zappa
- Johnny Winter
- Duran Duran
- Hot Tuna
- Dark Tranquillity
- Arch Enemy
- Korpiklaani
- Hatebreed
- Machine Head
- Sick Of It All
- Gogol Bordello
- Finntroll
- Aria
- Kipelov
- Dio (zl)
- Down
- Sama3l
- Lamb of God
- Gojira
- Barry Manilow
- Tiger Lilies
- Sabaton
I’m sure I’ve left quite a few worthy musicians off the list. Feel free to point them out in the comments and I’ll update.
