Rock legend Eric Burdon cancels Israel show following threats

"House of the Rising Sun," singer was scheduled to appear with 80s local favorites Tislam.

By DAVID BRINN
Musician Eric Burdon performs at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in NY (photo credit: REUTERS/Lucas Jackson)
Musician Eric Burdon performs at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in NY
(photo credit: REUTERS/Lucas Jackson)
British rock legend Eric Burdon has canceled a scheduled August 1 appearance of Eric Burdon and The Animals in Israel after receiving threats, his management announced Tuesday.
“We’ve been receiving mounting pressure, including numerous threatening emails, daily.
The last thing I intend do is put Eric in jeopardy,” said a statement released by Burdon’s management. Burdon, 71, and his reconstituted Animals were scheduled to appear at the Zappa Shoni Amphitheater on a bill with 1980s local favorites Tislam.
Burdon and the Animals were one of the most influential bands of the 1960s, with hits like “House of the Rising Sun,” “It’s My Life” and “We Gotta Get Outta This Place.”
Last week Tislam’s Izhar Ashdot and Yair Nitzani met with Burdon in Vienna ahead of the planned show, and Burdon revealed that he had received a number of online appeals to cancel his appearance.
According to Ashdot and Nitzani, Burdon told them, “It’s impossible to prevent music. Everyone needs music and there’s no connection to current politics. Everyone has the right to be entertained.”
Tislam issued a statement expressing regret over the cancellation. “To appear with Eric Burdon, one of the founding fathers of rock & roll, was an almost dream come true. We’re sorry that despite his personal assurance to us, that he bowed to pressure and cancelled his concert.”
The show will take place as scheduled, without Burdon.