Plan B Forum

British singer agrees to perform at Trump inauguration on one condition

By Amy Graff

Published 1:13 pm, Monday, January 2, 2017


British singer Rebecca Ferguson will accept President-elect Donald Trump's invitation to his inauguration if she can sing "Strange Fruit."

Some have come out publicly and said they won’t perform at the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Others have quietly fallen off the list of rumored performers. Here’s who we can expect not to see performing in Washington on January 20th. 

Gene Simmons The KISS star's wife said neither Simmons nor any member of KISS will be performing at the Trump inauguration. She claims they were approached by Trump's team, but no one from the Trump team has indicated they did so.

Garth BrooksThe country star's name was floated often as an inauguration performer, but he recently confirmed he would not be playing the event.

Celine DionThe Canadian singer was reportedly offered the gig, but turned down the Trump team.

The Chainsmokers The pop duo aren't any closer to performing at the inauguration after a rumor they might be considering the gig. It was apparently a joke taken out of context.

Andrea Bocelli The opera singer was initially billed as one of the inauguration performers, but he backed out after strong backlash from his fans.

Ice-TThe rapper tweeted that the Trump team called him to perform but he "didn't pick up and blocked the number." He later tweeted Trump should "just call Ted Nugent and call it a day."

Idina MenzelIt's a safe bet that the Broadway singer won't be making any appearances at Trump events. When asked by Vanity Fair why Trump's team is having such trouble booking performers, she said, "It's karma, baby."

The Dixie ChicksNo surprise here: The country band won't be cozying up to the Trump administration. Their manager told The Wrap that "if anyone does do it, I hope that the check that they get is in the nine figures. Because it’s probably the last check they’re ever going to get."

Elton JohnThe British singer was none-too-pleased when a Trump transition team member said that Elton John would be performing at the inauguration. John's publicist sent out a simple, direct press release in response: "Incorrect. He will NOT be performing."

Eric McCormackThe 'Will and Grace' star said he'd only perform at the inauguration if he had had an lobotomy. Strong words.

Adam Lambert Singer and LGBT activist Adam Lambert was clear on his stance too. "I don't think I would take the money on that one," he told the BBC.

Alex Wolff The 'Patriot’s Day' actor and singer was also direct in his rejection. "I’m not going to elaborate further because I know when to be tight-lipped, but no f–ing way," he told The Wrap.

Michael RapaportThe actor and director is no fan of the Trumps. He told The Wrap that anyone who performs should be "ashamed."


Rebecca Ferguson says she'll accept an invitation from President-elect Donald Trump to perform at his inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C., if she can sing "Strange Fruit."

"[It's] a song that has huge historical importance, a song that was blacklisted in the United States for being too controversial," the British singer tweeted on Jan. 2.

Ferguson added that the song "speaks to all the disregarded and down trodden black people in the United States," and "is a reminder of how love is the only thing that will conquer all the hatred in this world."

A member of the famous mormon tabernacle choir is so opposed to performing at president-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, she quit the group instead.
Media: TIME
"Strange Fruit" was originally published in 1937 by Abel Meeropol as a poem protesting American racism and the lynchings of African Americans. Meeropol reportedly wrote the work after being horrified by Lawrence Beitler's photograph of a hanging in Marion, Indiana, in 1930.

Billie Holliday sang and recorded "Strange Fruit" in 1939 and she often closed performances with the song.

Celine Dion The Canadian singer was reportedly offered the gig, but turned down the Trump team.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir member resigns rather than sing for Trump inauguration

The decision was not an easy one, wrote Jan Chamberlin.

Ever since "the announcement" - as Chamberlin called it - she has "spent several sleepless nights and days in turmoil and agony," she wrote in a Facebook post. "I have reflected carefully on both sides of the issue, prayed a lot, talked with family and friends, and searched my soul. I've tried to tell myself that by not going to the inauguration, that I would be able to stay in Choir for all the other good reasons."

Ultimately, though, Chamberlin decided that she could not stay in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The Salt Lake City Tribune reported that Chamberlin, a singer in the famed group, is resigning after learning that the choir would appear at President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in January.

"I simply cannot continue with the recent turn of events," she wrote on Facebook. "I could never look myself in the mirror again with self respect."

Joe Guy wrote:I heard a rumor that Gene Gene the Dancing Machine might make an appearance. That would be amazing I can tell you that.

Bicycle Bill wrote:

Joe Guy wrote:I heard a rumor that Gene Gene the Dancing Machine might make an appearance. That would be amazing I can tell you that.

It truly would be absolutely amazing. He croaked in March of 2015.

-"BB"-

Bill and Hillary Clinton will attend Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC, aides tell US media.

George W Bush and his wife Laura have also announced plans to turn up, saying they want to "witness the peaceful transfer of power".

The Manhattan business mogul will be sworn in as the 45th US president on Capitol Hill on 20 January.

Gob wrote:

Bill and Hillary Clinton will attend Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC, aides tell US media.

George W Bush and his wife Laura have also announced plans to turn up, saying they want to "witness the peaceful transfer of power".

The Manhattan business mogul will be sworn in as the 45th US president on Capitol Hill on 20 January.

Guinevere wrote:Actually, it's about recognizing the importance of the peaceful transition of power. It has nothing to do with the man, and everything to do with the Constitution.