Many Concerts Cancelled After 9/11 Attacks

The Latin Grammys, which were scheduled for September 11th in Los Angeles, were cancelled after the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington. "Due to the unimaginable events that have occurred this morning, The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, The Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences and CBS have canceled tonight's 2nd Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards show and all related activities," read a statement on www.latingrammys.com. "Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families and everyone who has been impacted by these horrific events."

Other large-scale performances were also called off. Two of the summer's biggest tours, Madonna's Drowned World Tour and Janet Jackson's All for You Tour, were cancelled on September 11th, the day of the attack. Madonna was expected to resume the tour tonight in Los Angeles. Other performances by acts including Aerosmith, Tool, Stevie Nicks, Maxwell, Godsmack, 98 Degrees, Cake and Ben Folds were also called off in the aftermath of the tragedy.

U2 had planned to offer tickets for the fall leg of their Elevation Tour in a pre-sale on September 14th, with the general sale beginning the following day. The on-sale date has been postponed indefinitely.

Garth Brooks was also scheduled to host a press conference on September 17th at the Country Music Hall of Fame to discuss his upcoming album, an event that has also been put on hold. "We are United States citizens first and a record label second," said Mike Dungan, president and CEO of Capitol Records. "Out of respect for the victims of [the] tragedy we have decided to postpone our event. We know everyone joins our staff and our artists in remembering the victims and their families during this horrific time."

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Song Stories

“Time to Pretend”

MGMT | 2008

Listening to MGMT’s breakthrough song, one might interpret it as being about the excesses of rock stardom, but it’s actually about the duo’s pet praying mantis. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden told Rolling Stone they got the idea from the insect's jerky movements. The mantis died, but the two bandmates kept the egg sack and allowed the hundreds of eggs to hatch. “We tried to name them all, but they died after a day,” said Goldwasser, with VanWyngarden chiming in, “But the praying mantis dance inspired us.”

More Song Stories entries »

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