Bryan Adams posted an acoustic quarantine video performance of his 1983 hit “Cuts Like a Knife” on Monday (May 11) on the day that he was slated to kick off a run of shows at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London. But it was his angry rant about the COVID-19 pandemic that really caught people’s attention.
“Tonight was supposed to be the beginning of a tenancy of gigs at the @royalalberthall, but thanks to some f—ing bat eating, wet market animal selling, virus making greedy bastards, the whole world is now on hold, not to mention the thousands that have suffered or died from this virus,” Adams wrote, along with the hashtag #banwetmarkets, the latest in a series of wet market criticisms from the vegan musician. “My message to them other than ‘thanks a f—ing lot’ is go vegan.”
Experts believe that so-called “Wet Markets” in Wuhan — which include sales of live produce and sometimes live animals — played a role in the spread of COVID-19, though it has not been definitively proven. A spokesperson for Adams — who performed at the April 25 “Stronger Together: Tous Ensemble” fundraising concert — had not returned requests for comment at press time.
Adams posted another performance on Tuesday (May 12), this time of the title track to his 1987 album, Into the Fire, along with an apology for anyone he offended with the wet market post. “Apologies to any and all that took offence to my posting yesterday,” he wrote. “No excuse, I just wanted to have a rant about the horrible animal cruelty in these wet-markets being the possible source of the virus, and promote veganism. I have love for all people and my thoughts are with everyone dealing with this pandemic around the world.”
Check out Adams’ original post (his tweet of the rant appears to have been taken down, but the Instagram was still up at press time) and some reactions below, which range from accusations of racism to support for his comments.
