Yahoo News Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie labels Madonna ‘a total prostitute' over Eurovision performance
Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie has labelled Madonna ‘a total prostitute’ over her decision to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest in Israel.
Speaking to Kirsty Wark on Newsnight, Gillespie said: “Madonna would do anything for money, you know, she’s a total prostitute.
“And I’ve got nothing against prostitutes. The whole thing is set up to normalise the state of Israel, and it’s disgraceful treatment of the Palestinian people.
“Madonna would do anything for money"
- Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie on Madonna performing in Tel Aviv at Eurovision.
Madonna has said she will “never stop playing music to suit someone’s political agenda" https://t.co/dIXMXIzVwU
MORE TONIGHT 22:30#newsnight #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/iRnpJk2TFE— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) May 17, 2019
“By going to perform in Israel what you do is you normalise that.
“Primal Scream would never perform in Israel.
“I think Madonna is just desperate for publicity, desperate for the money.
He added: “They pay very, very well.”
Read more: Madonna on ageism in the music industry: I’m punished for turning 60
When asked if he understood his comments could be considered anti-Semitic, Gillespie said: “I’m not anti-Semitic at all. All my heroes are Jews. Karl Marx, Bob Dylan, The Marx Brothers.”
The comments received criticism. Music journalist Pete Paphides insinuated Gillespie only made the comments as Madonna is female. Paphides tweeted: “Worth noting that Radiohead played Tel Aviv two years ago and Bobby Gillespie didn’t feel moved to refer to *them* as prostitutes.
“What is it about Madonna that somehow makes the difference here hmmm I can’t think.”
Worth noting that Radiohead played Tel Aviv two years ago and Bobby Gillespie didn’t feel moved to refer to *them* as prostitutes. WHAT IS IT ABOUT MADONNA THAT SOMEHOW MAKES THE DIFFERENCE HERE HMMM I CAN’T THINK https://t.co/JIPGApi3Fh
— Pete Paphides (@petepaphides) May 17, 2019
He added: “Do you imagine that if he was asked about Nick Cave, Radiohead or Iggy Pop having played Israel, he would have likened them to prostitutes? I think it’s overwhelmingly likely that he wouldn’t have.”
Do you imagine that if he was asked about Nick Cave, Radiohead or Iggy Pop having played Israel, he would have likened them to prostitutes? I think it’s overwhelmingly likely that he wouldn’t have.
— Pete Paphides (@petepaphides) May 17, 2019
The Queen of Pop closed the ceremony with a performance consisting of hits Just Like a Prayer and Future. Alongside her onstage were dancers wearing Israel and Palestine flags. The 60-year-old said: "Let's never underestimate the power of music to bring people together."
Read more: Iceland's act 'to be punished' after Palestine protest live on Eurovision Song Contest
The Netherlands won the contest, with singer Duncan Laurence’s song Arcade getting 492 votes. Italy finished second with 465 points and Russian came in third on 369 points.
Michael Rice, representing the UK, finished last, his performance of Bigger Than Us getting just 16 points.
