‘I HAVEN’T HEARD FROM THEM’
Former member of The Tenors stands behind his altering the lyrics to O Canada
Former Tenors member Remigio Pereira is still trying to undo damage to his reputation for altering the lyrics to O Canada.
After standing before thousands of fans at baseball’s all-star game in July — and even more TV viewers — the singer believes he took a stand for humanity. Others considered it an act of ignorance.
But Pereira doesn’t regret the moment that put his career into a tailspin, got him kicked out of the Canadian singing troupe and put the brakes on a tour with flamenco guitarist Pavlo.
“It upset everybody,” the Boston-raised performer said. “It got people talking, which is what it was intended to do.”
Everything unravelled as social tensions heightened this past summer. U.S. police officers had killed numerous black men and the subsequent ambush of several officers in Dallas pained Pereira further.
He decided the all-star platform would be ideal for his message.
Holding a sign with that read All Lives Matter, on one side, and United We Stand, on the other, he swapped out the lyrics of O Canada.
“With glowing hearts we see thee rise, the True North strong and free” became “We’re all brothers and sisters, all lives matter to the great.”
The public reaction was widely negative, with some saying his protest belittled the Black Lives Matter movement.
Others were offended that he used the national anthem for other motives.
“It wasn’t something planned out; it just happened really quickly,” he said.
After a number of his social media posts ignited further anger, Pereira went quiet on the matter.
The singer, who lives in St. Catharines, Ont., spoke to The Canadian Press ahead of several reinstated concerts with Pavlo.
QYou have some distance from the incident now. Did you get the reaction you anticipated?
AIt’s about people talking and understanding each other’s issues and the problems we’re all facing, specifically certain minority groups in the past who have not been treated equally. These issues need to come forth, and people need to bound together. The backlash shows where we are at still as a society, living in a politically correct world where there should be no politics when it comes to someone’s life.
QSince your protest we’ve seen NFL player Colin Kaepernick spark controversy by refusing to stand for the U.S. anthem. What do you think about the backlash he’s received?
APlayers, musicians, whoever it is, have a platform. It’s not done selfishly, because, believe me, you don’t want to have the hate you get from people misinterpreting what you’re saying. But people have a right to speak their minds. So we should be scrutinizing opinions and ideas, as opposed to people themselves.
QYou’ve essentially been booted from The Tenors. Do you foresee yourself having any involvement with them in the future?
AI haven’t heard from them since it happened. I understand their position. The guys truly know what I stand for — and they knew that (at the time of the incident). I can only wish them well. They send a message of peace and love. I want that message to continue going out. So I support them as a trio, if that’s what they decide to do.
QYou haven’t spoken to them at all since the July incident?
AI sent a note to Fraser (Walters, one of the other members). He just had a baby girl. I can’t fault them for being afraid of the backlash.
QOn the other hand, didn’t you blindside them?
AThey were put in an awkward position. There was a possible way of dealing with it, and then expressing they haven’t harboured a racist in their band for 10 years. (They could’ve said) they don’t agree with me changing the anthem but they know that I have a big heart. I think it’s worth more to speak up for people who are being treated poorly than to get the right words in a song.
QDo you hope to reunite with the Tenors eventually?
AWhatever they decide, I’ll be fine with. They’re good guys; they have good intentions and big hearts.
QWhy are you speaking again now after months have passed?
AI’ve remained silent as I agreed to (with) The Tenors, to allow them to decide what they had to do. It’s been two months of silence, and people still think I’m a racist. It’s damaging not only to me, but to people around me. I don’t want people to worry about being associated with me. I don’t have a racist bone in my body. I can’t hurt a fly — I’m a vegan, I love all life and all animals. I am sorry it divided people, that it divided fans, and The Tenors from me. But ... there’s a much bigger picture we need to look at.
I think it’s worth more to speak up for people who are being treated poorly than to get the right words in a song.