Cee Lo Green and Megadeth come from different ends of the musical spectrum, but they both had the same message for Israel on Tuesday: We want to play, but we can't.
According to the Jerusalem Post, management for both artists cancelled upcoming shows in Tel Aviv (Megadeth) and Jerusalem (Cee Lo) in lieu of the current overseas conflict between Israel and Hamas.
This message appeared on Megadeth's website: "Due to an inability to confirm the guaranteed passage of the band and their gear into Tel Aviv in time for the show, the upcoming Megadeth concert, scheduled for Wednesday, August 6, 2014, has been cancelled. The band was looking forward to this concert and is disappointed they will not be able to put on the show for their fans, but expects to return to Tel Aviv on their next international tour."
Cee Lo's Aug. 19 show met a similar fate.
"The artist and his crew really wanted to come, but unfortunately we were the ones who had to postpone it because this is not the right time to advertise and push a concert and also because Israel Defense Forces' regional Home Front Command allows gathering of up to a thousand people only," Carmi Whurtman, the show's producer, said.
Logistical problems and general danger have also spelled doom for other scheduled shows in the area.
Neil Young, Paul Anka and Chick Corea have already dipped, and the Backstreet Boys recently cancelled three Tel Aviv engagements for "security" reasons.
"This is a major disappointment for the band and fans as this was to be our first visit to Israel and we looked forward to meeting our fans," the band wrote in an open letter. "We're already working with the producers on new dates during Spring 2015 and will notify everyone about this as soon as possible. Sending lots of love to everyone."
Two mammoth gigs remain on the schedule: Lana Del Rey (Tel Aviv, Aug. 20) and Lady Gaga (Tel Aviv, Sept. 13) have yet to bow out of the hostile environment.
