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And Finally Artist News
Beach Boys battle over trophy hunting convention performance
By Andy Malt | Published on Tuesday 4 February 2020
Brian Wilson has called on fans to protest a performance by the Beach Boys for an organisation that supports trophy hunting. Wilson is not currently performing with the group, who continue to tour led by Mike Love.
Love and the people he has performing with him under the Beach Boys banner these days are booked to play the Safari Club International Convention in Reno tomorrow. As well as the band’s performance, attendees will be treated to a keynote speech from Donald Trump Jr.
“It has been brought to my attention that on Wednesday 5 Feb, The Beach Boys touring group licensed by Mike Love are headlining at the Safari Club International Convention in Reno, Nevada”, tweeted Wilson. He continued: “This organisation supports trophy hunting, which both [fellow original Beach Boy] Al [Jardine] and I are emphatically opposed to. There’s nothing we can do personally to stop the show, so please join us in signing the petition”.
Love responded in a statement: “We look forward to a night of great music in Reno and, as always, support freedom of thought and expression as a fundamental tenet of our rights as Americans”.
Trophy hunting, or the hunting of wild animals for sport, is a controversial topic. Its supporters often point to the fact that money earned from allowing the killing of some animals pays for conservation projects in certain African countries. But critics remain unconvinced.
