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| John Mclaughlin |
Newsweek May 3 2017
Interview posted today:
Cited
Newsweek: Jeff Perlah
Beginning in November, you’ll be on your farewell U.S. tour. Any plans beyond that?
John Mclaughlin
I’m not gonna stop working in music, but I’ve been touring my entire life. I’ve been on the road since I’m 16. That’s a long time, Jeff. And I have to say, the world has changed, from the way we used to tour in the ’70s, even the ’80s, but then [there was] 9/11 and the new world order, and the invasion of Iraq, and the whole mess that is now the Middle East, the terrorists, the attacks. And to travel as a band around the U.S., the U.S. in particular, is extremely difficult. Maybe I’ll come back, but for the moment, it will be my farewell tour.
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Interesting opine that touring in the United States is now difficult. I do not have a strong opinion on the issue, but personally would need to see more factual data in support of this idea, for me to not visit and tour America as an academic and/or tourist. I have no experience touring the United States of America, Europe or anywhere as a jazz rock musician. Playing stomach drums, even well, to Mahavishnu Orchestra and Rush, will never see me tour. I therefore plead ignorance to specific difficulties in touring the United States of America as a musical act.
Is this type of view a reaction to some of the policies of President Trump?
I look forward to seeing the related performance, touring Seattle, and me touring Seattle, in December. I met Mr. Mclaughlin after a Remember Shakti performance in Vancouver, 2003, and he was a very kind man.
