14 DAY TRIAL // Rock band Cheap Trick has announced that it will no longer perform at SeaWorld Orlando's upcoming Bands, Brew, and BBQ festival.
The band has not yet made any official announcements concerning its reasons for canceling the performance, but odds are that an online petition started by one of their fans, together with documentary film “Blackfish” are the ones to thank.
The Change.org petition believed to have convinced Cheap Trick not to make an appearance at the SeaWorld Orlando festival was started by Christine Loughead from Red Lake, Canada.
Apparently, Christine is not just a Cheap Trick fan, but also a fierce defender of animal rights.
In her petition, she asked that the rock band watch documentary film “Blackfish” and then decide for itself whether or not supporting SeaWorld by performing at the Bands, Brew and BBQ festival was the right thing to do.
“You're an iconic band and have a great responsibility to do the right thing and let people know that you will not be apart of something so cruel,” Christine wrote.
“Watch Blackfish. Think about how much these wild, intelligent orcas suffer to perform CHEAP TRICKS for some fish treats,” she added.
The petition has been signed by over 3,600 people who share Christine's opinion of SeaWorld, and appears to have served its purpose, i.e. get Cheap Trick to back out of the SeaWorld event, fairly well.
Since documentary film “Blackfish” first hit the public eye, the marine park's upcoming festival has lost another three musical acts. Thus, Willie Nelson, Heart and Barenaked Ladies have all canceled their performances.
According to Ecorazzi, the marine park was slightly upset that these musicians have all chosen not to make an appearance in their event, but stresses that it holds no grudge against them.
“While we’re disappointed a small group of misinformed individuals was able to deny fans what would have been great concerts at SeaWorld by Heart, Barenaked Ladies, and Willie Nelson, we respect the bands’ decisions,” SeaWorld spokesman Nick Gollattscheck reportedly said in a statement.