Van Morrison Not Playing Inauguration

ByABC News
January 17, 2001, 8:04 PM

January 16 -- Did the media call yet another coup for George W. Bush a little too early? Last week, news outlets reported lists of performers slated to appear during inaugural celebrations for Bush, but they included one name too many: Van Morrison.

"Reports that Mr. Van Morrison will be performing or attending the inauguration ceremonies of President-elect George W Bush are absolutely false," read a statement from his label, Virgin Records. "Mr. Morrison was never scheduled to appear at this event and has no intention of doing so."

The Irish singer-songwriter, best known for his hits "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Moondance," was reportedly scheduled to appear at a Jan. 18 bash at the Lincoln Memorial.

Mr. Bush's predecessor, Bill Clinton, was seen into office at both his 1992 inauguration and 1996 swearing-in by a pack of A-list singers and Hollywood stars, including Whoopi Goldberg, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder. The Bush team has not sailed as smoothly in securing celebrity involvement.

According to an official statement released by the Presidential Inaugural Committee on Monday, confirmed talent for the Jan. 18 Bush bash currently includes: Sylvester Stallone, Ricky Martin, Jessica Simpson, country duo Brooks & Dunn, and perennial blue-hair favorite Wayne Newton. Also on the bill are composer Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and operatic vocalist Charlotte Church (hey, wait, they're not American).

After the announcement that Martin would perform "Cup of Life," the Latin star's producer and the song's co-writer, Robi Rosa, lashed out at the performer, accusing him of "playing the fiddle while Rome burns."

No reason has been given for the latest misunderstanding, though Morrison's official Web site (www.harbour.sfu.ca/~hayward/van/van.html) speculated, "Could it have been that the President-elect was concerned Van's setlist would feature 'Madame George' and 'Village Idiot'?"