Marley lends voice to call for unity
With a trilingual song that calls for the people of the Americas to unite in a more fair and loving world, Brazilian reggae band Natiruts, Jamaican musician Ziggy Marley and Mexican actress Yalitza Aparicio hope to make the whole continent vibrate.
“América Vibra” was released Wednesday — the day of President Joe Biden’s inauguration — as a nod to a new beginning.
“We don’t want walls. We are bridges,” recites the Oscar-nominated actress in Spanish before Marley and Natiruts vocalist Alexandre Carlo sing about social justice and environmental protection in English and Portuguese, respectively.
In a news release, Marley said that collaborating with Natiruts and Aparicio was “a great pleasure.”
“My lyrics (are) talking about realizing what’s going on with the environment and wanting to see some justice in the world,” he said. “We have to take care of the planet, take care of each other and just build a better world together.”
Speaking of the inauguration, A-list stars turn out: While stars mostly eschewed Donald Trump’s inauguration, the A-list was back for President Joe Biden on Wednesday.
Bruce Springsteen launched the evening’s entertainment: “Celebrating America,” a multi-network broadcast hosted by Tom Hanks that took the place of the usual official inaugural balls. The Boss sang his “Land of Hope and Dreams” in front of the Lincoln Memorial.
Hanks, also at the Lincoln Memorial, spoke of “deep divisions and a troubling rancor in our land” over the past few years. “But tonight we ponder the United States of America, the practice of our democracy, the foundations of our republic, the integrity of our Constitution, the hope and dreams we all share for a more perfect union,” he said.
Jon Bon Jovi contributed a rendition of “Here Comes the Sun” from Miami, and Ant Clemons and Justin Timberlake performed “Better Days” from Memphis. John Legend sang “Feeling Good” in Washington; Foo Fighters sang “Times Like These,” and Demi Lovato performed “Lovely Day” in Los Angeles.
The proceedings ended with a lavish fireworks show in the Washington sky to “Firework,” performed by Katy Perry.
Virus scuttles Glastonbury Britain’s Festival: Glastonbury music festival has fallen victim to the coronavirus pandemic for the second year in a row.
Organizers Michael and Emily Eavis said Thursday that “in spite of our efforts to move heaven and earth, it has become clear that we simply will not be able to make the Festival happen this year.”
The festival has been held almost annually since 1970, drawing up to 150,000 people to the Eavis’ Worthy Farm in England. Last year’s 50th anniversary event — which had been due to feature Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, the Pet Shop Boys and Paul McCartney — was canceled in March.
Jan. 22 birthdays: Actor Piper Laurie is 89. Singer Steve Perry is 72. Bassist Teddy Gentry is 69. Actor Linda Blair is 62. Actor Diane Lane is 56. Rapper DJ Jazzy Jeff is 56. Chef Guy Fieri is 53. Actor Gabriel Macht is 49. Singer Lizz Wright is 41. Actor Beverley Mitchell is 40. Rapper Logic is 31. Actor Sami Gayle is 25.