The White House has called off plans to have The B-52s perform during a state dinner tonight (October 25th) for Australia’s prime minister, The Associated Press reports.
“While we had initially planned for legendary B-52s to perform their iconic dance and party music, we are now in a time when so many are facing sorrow and pain, so we made a few adjustments to the entertainment portion of the evening,” first lady Jill Biden said in a statement. She did not directly reference the tragedies of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, or the fact that The B-52s share a name with a common Boeing bomber jet.
“Nurturing our partnerships and relationships with our allies is critically important, especially in these tumultuous times,” Biden continued. “Food is comforting, reassuring and healing, and we hope that this dinner provides a little of that as well.”
Rather than dining to hits like “Love Shack” and “Rock Lobster,” attendees at the dinner will be entertained with instrumental music from the Marine band and the Army and Air Force Strolling Strings. The members of The B-52s will instead be guests at the dinner, which is honoring Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, after President Joe Biden had to cut his own trip to the country short back in May.
The B-52s recently extended their Las Vegas residency, which follows their 2022 “Farewell Tour.”