Five countries that tried to stop legendary musicians from entering
One of, if not the, greatest thing about music is its ability to unite people across the globe.
Music is a universal language experienced and, more crucially, felt by all. And never is that clearer than in the context of a live show, where fans can rub shoulders with sweaty strangers and lose themselves to the soundtrack of today.
But despite its unifying powers, music has often been leveraged for political gain, and some of the most vitally important acts have been censored in countries where their voice is arguably needed more than ever. The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan and Elton John’s star power haven’t protected either of them from falling victim to uncompromising government regimes that have given a hard-line refusal to their appearance in their country.
But then, there are wider political storms in which musicians get caught up. Whereas The Stones’ party boy image is simply too much for a cautious political establishment to handle, some artists like Yusuf Islam have found themselves caught in the crosshairs of a wider political movement that puts prejudice over compassion.
As we move into a continuously tumultuous political environment and calls for art’s separation from politics come from all four corners of this disillusioned social spectrum, this short list of artists who have been historically banned from countries just goes to prove how inextricably linked the two entities really are.
Five countries that tried to stop musicians from entering:
The Rolling Stones – Japan
Despite being one of the biggest bands in the world, The Rolling Stones swiftly found out that in Japan, the rules are the rules, no matter who you are, and as Mick Jagger had a drug conviction in 1967 as part of the Redlands bust, which came following a lengthy targeted campaign by the News of the World, Japan swiftly stripped the band of any visa privileges.
Ironically, Jagger then made it to Japan sooner than his bandmates, toured the country as a solo artist, as something test run for The Rolling Stones, whose eventual tour in the country was scheduled for 1990. His exposure lap stirred pandemonium, with a raucous opening show in the Tokyo Dome selling out instantly that left fans and The Stones wondering why this was never allowed before.
Bob Dylan – China
In 2010, a whole four decades on from his peak of counterculture resistance, China banned the legendary songwriter from entering their Beijing and Shanghai to play there, in fear of his catalogue inciting a rise of dangerous and rebellious behaviour. Unwilling to budge on their principles, China offered him a route back into the country in 2011, so long as he submitted his setlists beforehand.
“The idea that the raspy troubadour of ’60s freedom anthems would go to a dictatorship and not sing those anthems is a whole new kind of sellout,” Maureen Dowd of The New York Times wrote in criticism at the time. “He sang his censored set, took his pile of Communist cash and left.”
Erykah Badu – Malaysia
During the promotional run for Badu’s tour to Malaysia, her press shots showcased the artist with the Arabic word for ‘Allah’ painted across her shoulders. The Malaysian government didn’t take kindly, and the country’s information minister labelled it “an insult to Islam,” given its lack of modesty and adherence to traditional Muslim values.
The iconic soul artist swiftly cancelled her shows and ultimately accepted the government’s decision. “It’s sad, because we travelled a long way”, she said. “But I’m totally understanding of [the minister’s] protection of the laws and its people. He doesn’t want anything to happen. I’m good with that.”
She went on to explain: “I think art is often misunderstood in the realm of religion, and it’s okay… I am learning and understanding about Islam in other countries more as we travel.”
Yusuf Islam – USA
In 2004, the national concern about terrorism following 9/11 was so deep rooted in America that Yusuf Islam became an unlikely government target. The musician was pulled to one side by airport authorities in America for questioning, where they ordered him to return to the UK without permission, on the basis that Islam-funded terrorist groups had been flagged on a watch list and his name was of interest.
At this point, the lines between security and Islamophobia were horrifically blurred, and Islam’s high-profile exiling from the country seemed like authorities making a defiant example of the musician – a case made particularly clear when you consider Islam’s public position as pacifist.
In response to the event, Islam said, “I am a victim of an unjust and arbitrary system, hastily imposed, that serves only to belittle America’s image as a defender of the civil liberties that so many dearly struggled and died for over the centuries.”
Elton John
By the time Elton John’s 2010 show in Cairo was booked, he had pretty much played all over the globe. He had overcome issues with the Chinese government as well as breaching the Iron Curtain to play a show in the Soviet Union, to play culturally seismic shows, and so he likely thought a little jaunt to Cairo was nothing to fear.
But then came an interview, where Elton said, “I think Jesus was a compassionate, super-intelligent gay man who understood human problems. On the cross, he forgave the people who crucified him. Jesus wanted us to be loving and forgiving. I don’t know what makes people so cruel.”
Outraged by Elton’s, not only inoffensive but deeply respectful claims, the Egyptian government swiftly cancelled all shows and banned the songwriter from ever playing again. “How do we allow a gay, who wants to ban religions, claimed that the prophet Īsā was gay and calls for Middle Eastern countries to allow gays to have sexual freedom,” Egyptian Musicians’ Union head Mounir al-Wasimi told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur news agency at the time.
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