UPDATE (5/12): Bryan Adams has apologized for the Instagram post.
Canadian rock icon Bryan Adams is getting slammed for an expletive-peppered post on social media that many people are calling racist and tone-deaf.
“Tonight was supposed to be the beginning of a tenancy of gigs at the @royalalberthall, but thanks to some f**king bat eating, wet market animal selling, virus making greedy bastards, the whole world is now on hold,” the 60-year-old singer fumed. “My message to them other than 'thanks a f**king lot’ is go vegan.
“I wish I could be there more than you know. It’s been great hanging out in isolation with my children and family, but I miss my other family, my band, my crew and my fans."
Adams, who lives in London, was scheduled to do three consecutive nights at the prestigious concert venue beginning Monday night but had to bump the shows to April 13-15, 2021. (Four shows in Quebec set for between Aug. 15 and 21 and his summer U.S. tour with Bon Jovi have also been postponed.)
While many fans inferred that Adams, a longtime animal rights advocate, was making a statement about the sale and consumption of animals, others saw his rant as an attack on the people of Wuhan, China.
"Poor Bryan Adams," tweeted NDP MP Charlie Angus. "The biggest pandemic in a century, a disease that has taken the lives of so many good people, has messed with his gig. And he is cranky. Grow up you multi-millionaire idjit."
Canadian journalist Alexander Quon tweeted: “Bryan Adams did a racism."
Edmonton resident Katy Ingraham tweeted: “I didn’t have Bryan Adams going on an … xenophobic rant during a global pandemic on my COVID-19 bingo card. Did you?”
"Very Uncanadian Bryan!," opined Barbara Friesen on Twitter. "Maybe come support essential service workers by volunteering instead? Be better dude!"
Adams performed "Shine a Light" during last month's Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble broadcast in support of Food Banks Canada.
"If anyone were still paying attention to him, I'd say this warranted cancelling," Toronto writer Bert Archer tweeted about Adams. "But we weren't, so it's just a guy yelling racist stuff at clouds."
If Bryan Adams wants to blame my people for the pandemic then at the very least we get to blame him for making our elementary school dances tedious and torturous.
— Jen Sookfong Lee (@JenSookfongLee) May 12, 2020
I’m more surprised that people were still paying to see Bryan Adams than that he’s a racist a-hole. pic.twitter.com/U4DSRk6zVh
— Courtney Ranstrom (@courtranstrom) May 12, 2020
Stop acting like you’re the only one going through this. My entire year was cancelled too, just like every other artist I know. Businesses are shuttering while people lose their livelihoods and family. Give me back John Prine. At least he’d write a song instead of complaining.
— Shane Koyczan (@Koyczan) May 12, 2020
Oh my god thank GOD we can cancel Bryan Adams now. Every time Summer of ‘69 comes on the radio Im tempted to crash my car
— amil (@amil) May 12, 2020
I’m not sure what’s worse; Bryan Adams having to cancel his concerts or us having to cancel Bryan Adams. It Cuts Like a Knife, but it feels so right.
— Candler Curtis (@CandlerCurtis) May 12, 2020
@bryanadams #EpicFail I am ashamed of you for this blatant racist post. You call yourself Canadian?
— Angel LaMae (@AngelLaMae) May 12, 2020
You’re missing out on a show.
I’m out of work & not able to work nor have the resources you do. Maybe you should channel your energy into something actually helpful. #shameonyou pic.twitter.com/S1ioiPA3Wi