Jamaican music legend Ernest Ranglin and his management have hit back at claims by Byron Bay Bluesfest organisers that the guitarist dropped out of playing the event after taking “a bigger offer.” Ranglin has responded by saying that he never even agreed to play the festival.
UPDATE: Byron Bay Bluesfest 2014 third lineup announcement has arrived – full details here!
Earlier this week, Bluesfest 2014 organisers announced that Ranglin, who was to appear at the festival as part of the Jamaican Legends show featuring Sly & Robbie and Bitty McClean, had pulled out after accepting a “bigger offer,” saying they were “profoundly disappointed.”
The organisers said they had confirmed Ranglin’s appearance through an agent with whom they’d dealt with previously, before receiving an email from another agent. Ranglin claimed the first agency no longer represents him, despite their allegedly having Ranglin’s confirmation for Bluesfest.
Now Ranglin has offered his side of the story in a statement to Noise11, saying:
“I must exercise my right of reply to the news media and my audience. My agent had made some bookings and responses for booking(s) in Australia of which I was not aware. I regret the problems associated with that action taken by my agent and apologize to all.
“The Jamaican Music Industry procedure in regards to agents and bookings is for agents to contact the artiste with a request for performing on a show.
“After the artiste looks at the Terms and Conditions presented to them in written contract, then, the artiste will make a decision whether to accept or not to accept the contract.”
Ranglin plead earnest ignorance, insisting he wasn’t aware that he was asked to perform at Bluesfest, saying “I was not asked to look at a contract.”
Meanwhile, Christian Georgiadis of the Bacana s.a.r.l. agency, who currently represent Ranglin, has come out saying that his agency was not involved with any Bluesfest negotiations, telling theMusic.com.au:
“I can confirm in writing that Mr Ranglin hasn’t been confirmed by us at any event during the period of Bluesfest…the reputation of the probably most influential Jamaican artists of all times has been damaged with such negligence.
“Mr Ranglin is a humble and decent person and he is not deserving to be treated in such way.”
The organisers of Bluesfest are currently considering different options for the Jamaican Legends performance. Readers can stay up to date with all the news surrounding Bluesfest 2014 at our special Feed right here.
Gallery: The 10 Weakest Excuses For Last-Minute Gig Cancellations (And 1 Way To Do It Right)
Weakest Excuses For Cancelling Gigs Last Minute
-
Death Grips
THE NO SHOW WAS THE SHOW: Death Grips' Lollapalooza 2013 after party was set to go off, but the band simply never showed up. Fans were expecting the band at any moment but when venue staff broke the bad news shit got cray, an onstage drumkit was destroyed as the band's album played and an odd suicide note was projected on stage. The band now claim the lack of a performance WAS the performance. Weak. -
Celine Dion
HURT FEELINGS: In 1997, Celine Dion cancelled a gig in Nova Scotia because local media kept taking the piss out of her. "When an artist comes to a place to entertain, the artist hopes people are happy," husband/manager Rene Angelil said, "I couldn't understand that negative reaction." -
Flo Rida
SLEPT IN: After putting up some serious money to book Flo Rida in 2011, you can understand Fat As Butter's frustration when their headlining act told them moments before he was meant to take the stage that he slept in and would be unable to perform. -
Joe Strummer
BEARDY FITNESS: In 1982, Joe Strummer did a runner after the Clash's 'Combat Rock' was released, either as a publicity stunt or a power play. The band's UK tour was cancelled, and Strummer was later discovered in France, having grown a beard and run the Paris Marathon. -
Bieber
TOO DAMN SEXY: Earlier this year, our good mate Justin Bieber cancelled a gig in Oman after Muslim leaders in the Islamic country deemed him "too sexy", being labelled a "reprobate" in the process. -
Kings Of Leon
AVIAN COPROPHAGIA: During a gig in St Louis in 2010, Kings Of Leon were bombarded with poo after disturbing birds in the rafters. Three songs in, the band quit, with Nathan Followill tweeting that "a bird shat in Jared's mouth". -
Azealia Banks
DIVA PARANOIA: Whether it's because The Stone Roses sound guy messed up her set at Future Music Festival 2013 or "technical issues" at Splendour In The Grass 2013, it doesn't take much for Azealia Banks to drop a performance, and blame those around her for it. -
Morrissey
SENSITIVE NOSE: Morrissey fans almost deem it a right of passage to have the man cancel their gig. "I can smell burning flesh ... and I hope to God it's human," said Moz during his Coachella set in 2009. Halfway through 'Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others', Morrissey decided he'd had enough and walked off stage. -
Oasis
BROTHER'S TIFF: In 2009, Oasis cancelled their Rock en Seine festival gig just one minute before going on stage - yet another spat between brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher was the final straw, Noel quitting the band effective immediately. -
Supafest
NO EXCUSE AT ALL: Lack of an excuse is far weaker than any weak excuse. With Supafest artists in previous years not performing, claiming they never confirmed and/or hiding in bathrooms to avoid performances, it was clear organisers had some explaining to do. This year, the entire festival was cancelled just a week out from launch day, and organisers are yet to give any solid reason as to why it all fell apart. -
Motley Crue
THE GOOD GUYS: Motley Crue cancelled a show in New York earlier this year due to dangerous weather conditions. Fair enough. But when the band learned that a fan had flown all the way from Japan to see the gig, Nikki Sixx flew the dude to Atlantic City for their next show, putting him up in a hotel as well. Class.
