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From Madonna to Sting, pop royalty denounce Russian war
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Protest in song: Sting performs live on Jan. 28, 2020 in “iHeartRadio LIVE with Sting” at the iHeartRadio Theater in Burbank, California. The singer has dedicated an acoustic rendition of 1985’s “Russia” to Ukrainians in an Instagram post. Other pop and rock stars have also protested the Russian invasion of Ukraine in public statements or by cancelling tours. (AFP/Getty Images/Andrew Toth)
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ondemnation by Madonna, a Russian tour canceled by Iggy Pop, Pink Floyd pulling out of streaming platforms; Western music stars have rallied to the Ukrainian cause.
Sting has racked up 2.2 million views on Instagram for his acoustic rendition of "Russia", a song he released in 1985 calling for deescalation and peace.
"I never thought it would be relevant again, but in the light of one man's bloody and woefully misguided decision to invade a peaceful, unthreatening neighbor, the song is once again a plea for our common humanity," he says in the introduction.
The British star has dedicated the song to "the brave Ukrainians fighting this brutal tyranny, and also the many Russians protesting this outrage despite threats of arrest and imprisonment".
Another iconic 1980s group, The Cure, has been selling T-shirts bearing its name in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag to raise money for the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.
Band leader Robert Smith has been retweeting messages about Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, currently on trial and facing 13 years in a prison colony.
Other stars from the world of pop and rock have canceled their Russian tours.
"Our thoughts are with the Ukrainians and all the brave people who oppose this violence and seek peace," tweeted Iggy Pop as he announced the cancellation of his Moscow date in July.
Nick Cave and Gorillaz are among the other bands canceling their Russian shows.
"Our thoughts and love go out to the brave people of Ukraine, their heroic leader, and all those suffering from this senseless war," Cave said in a statement.
'We love Russia'
Scottish band Franz Ferdinand has also canceled its tour, but emphasized the distinction between the Russian government and the Russian people.
"We love Russia. This great country has inspired our band through its art and literature and since we first played there 17 years ago, we have built a rich and deep relationship with our Russian fans," the group said in a statement. "We know you see the madness of your country’s leadership. We know you do not want war.”
Others have been more virulent.
"This is Hitler coming back to haunt us," Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac wrote on Instagram.
Madonna also made the comparison in an Instagram post that combined images of the destruction in Ukraine with her song "Sorry", which contains the lyrics, "You're not half the man you think you are".
Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd, who said his daughter-in-law was Ukrainian, has pulled all his music from Russian and Belarusian streaming sites.
"Putin must go," he said on Instagram.
Younger stars, too, have expressed their shock on social media.
Rapper Nicki Minaj tweeted: "To every mother fleeing with your children, saying goodbye 2 your husband […] I can't imagine how afraid and alone you must feel. God, pls help them."
