The Commodores are the latest act to bail on President Donald Trump’s Great American State Fair following the likes of Morris Day & The Time, Young MC, and Martina McBride.
In a statement posted on social media, The Commodores said they won’t be performing the event and added, “Our music has always been our voice and we choose not to publicly affiliate with any single political party. We support the betterment of all Americans.”
The Commodores, the Motown group behind 1970s and 1980s chart toppers like “Easy,” “Three Times a Lady,” and “Brick House,” still tour with one original member, William King. Former lead singer and American Idol judge Lionel Richie left the group in 1982.
Young MC, the retro rapper behind “Bust a Move,” and 1980s funk R&B star Morris Day made similar statements this week after they were announced for the event by Freedom 250, an organization launched by Trump to put together celebrations for America’s 250th anniversary. McBride dropped off the bill late Thursday night.
Singers who tour as Milli Vanilli also said they weren’t performing the event despite the group being announced as part of the line up. However, the photo accompanying the group’s name on promotional material was that of Fab Morvan, a singer who was the face of Milli Vanilli in the 1990s before it was exposed that he and his partner were lip synching and other singers actually performed Milli Vanilli’s recordings. Morvan has since confirmed he will be performing solo.
The involvement of members of C+C Music Factory, the group behind the 1990s hits “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) and “Things That Make You Go Hmmm…”, has also taken a turn.
Freedom Williams, the rapper on those songs, is featured on the promotional material with the group’s name but released an angry rant after backlash about his booking. He appears to still be set to perform, but Robert Clivilles, a founding member of C+C Music Factory, has tried to distance the group from the event, its political nature and Williams.
In a social media post, Clivilles said Williams “has done his best to misuse” the name “C&C Music Factory,” which he said stands for Clivilles and Cole Music Factory, a reference to the group’s deceased member David Cole.
Williams “should not be using this name to tour or represent what this group stands for,” Clivilles said. “Any political or religious show or comment Freedom Williams makes regarding any shows, views or opinion (Williams) makes as an individual.”
Williams’ views, Clivilles said, have “absolutely nothing to do with” C&C Music Factory’s viewpoint at all.
In a follow up post, Clivilles said “C&C Music Factory does not participate nor side with any specific political party. We stand neutral when it comes to sides. We side with Global Love & Peace.”
The trademark on “C & C Music Factory” is owned by Williams’ entertainment company, according to public records.
The Great American State Fair by Freedom 250 has booked Vanilla Ice, Bret Michaels, Flo Rida, and C+C Music Factory, according to promotional material.
The event June 25th to July 10th on the National Mall. Find more details and sign up for free admission at the official website.
