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Bob Dylan Banned From Playing in China

The Chinese government has banned Bob Dylan from playing the Chinese leg of his 2010 tour.

Dates in Beijing and Shanghai, part of Dylan's tour of east Asia, have been canceled due to the government's concern about the renowned folk singer's long-ago reputation as an "icon of the counterculture movement," according to the Guardian, citing Taiwan-based promoter Jeffrey Wu.

Dylan, who puts on about 100 shows a year as part of his Never Ending Tour and has just finished up a Japanese leg, has also canceled dates in Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong.

"With Beijing and China ruled out, it was not possible for him just to play concerts in Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan," said Wu of Brokers Brothers Promoters in an interview with the South China Morning Post. "The chance to play in China was the main attraction for him. When that fell through everything else was called off."

The Chinese government is said to have increased its strictness after a 2008 Björk concert where the Icelandic singer chanted "Tibet! Tibet!" following a performance of her song 'Declare Independence.'

Oasis was also deemed "unsuitable" to play in China in 2009, according to the Guardian, allegedly because of Noel Gallagher's involvement in a pro-independence concert for Tibet more than a decade ago.

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107 Comments

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Becky

Love Bob, he is a legend.Have seen him 3 times and hope I get to again, fantastic performer

April 05 2010 at 10:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ken hill

THE U.S.A. CANNOT STOP THE THIEVES FROM CHINS THAT STEAL CLASSIFIED BUT THE CRUDS IN CHINA HAVE NO PROBLEM BANNING OLD TIMER BANDS. WHAT A JOKE! !

April 05 2010 at 8:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bruce

Bob Dylan, Bruce Springcrap and the little sawed off piece of crap from Indiana (mellancampus)none of them have enough since to wipe their butts. You dumb ass people these jerks will never have to worry about anything because they have all the money 3 generations could ever spend. So they want the middle class to feed the poor while they are eating lobster, steak, driving mercedes and flying lear jets. socialism is okay with these dummys.

April 05 2010 at 6:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TroopGear

Dylan's management should strike a deal with those flat-headed bastards; The shows may go on once all the ChiCom sleeper agents have been recalled.
If you still think the Russians or ObaMao are the greatest threat to national security, just guess who has our advanced weapons plans and nuclear launch codes.

April 05 2010 at 6:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Judy

To everyone with the negative Bob Dylan comments. Let's see you match the songs he wrote with an equal like say "blowing in the wind".

April 05 2010 at 6:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
blue

Bob Dylan music was most always kind. Unlike most people who disagree about his voice. His voice is not the point of his career good or bad its part of the appeal of his music. He is not perfect and that's okay. When he wanted people to laugh he used the methods of pure fun in his writing. And when he wanted to make a point for the good of mankind, he used the kind of gentle irony that left no scars behind it. Listen up young generation and you might learn something. History repeats itself!

April 05 2010 at 4:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ann Marie

amd52 For Mike Folkey said it BEST. This generation has no class, character, or morals.... All is I have to do is watch and listen to my own children. I pity them all.. When They Believe RAP CRAP is music.. We are in trouble. Amen to all of us. Trying to exist in this world of turmoil is the future. Very Scary at best.

April 05 2010 at 4:20 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
cdrummerman66

I just wonder why the U.S.A does any business at all with a communist country like China. You cant buy a cuban cigar. Remember dont play sun city the ban that was put on by bands around the world? Well China is far worse on there own people then south Africa ever was. I guess people just love the cheap crud from the dollar store to much to cut off ties with China.

April 05 2010 at 4:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
yeehaa

health care losers. Why isn't there a comment section there.

April 05 2010 at 4:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
yeehaa

where is the comment section for Husain yomomma's poll ratings, or take it in the butt goverment take over of health care. Aol you arn't fooling anyone

April 05 2010 at 4:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply