ANTHEM FALLOUT STILL HANGING ON
Former member of The Tenors stands behind decision to alter the lyrics to O Canada
TORONTO 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.
Q You have some distance from the incident now. Did you get the reaction you anticipated?
A It’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.
Q Since 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?
A Players, 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.
Q You’ve essentially been booted from The Tenors. Do you foresee yourself having any involvement with them in the future?
A I 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.
Q You haven’t spoken to them at all since the July incident?
A I 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.
Q On the other hand, didn’t you blindside them?
A They 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.