The Roots Pull Out of NYC Bowie Tributes Due to “Bitchassness”

The star-packed New York tributes to David Bowie are set to kick off at Carnegie Hall tonight, with an encore concert scheduled for tomorrow night at Radio City Music Hall. Slated to play the events are Patti Smith, the Flaming Lips, Mumford & Sons, Pixies, Michael Stipe and many more, but notably absent from the performances will be The Roots, as drummer and bandleader Questlove announced via Instagram last night.

Apparently, there was an issue between Questlove and another unnamed act that refused to allow The Roots to borrow some equipment. As the drummer writes, “I’ve never been so insecure or petty as to deny a fellow musician use of ANY of my equipment (or my band’s equipment——or resources or contacts or knowledge or ANYTHING) it angers me when that same courtesy is not reciprocated.”

Questlove goes on to say that he was “about to get #TomPetty #PettyWap,” etc., but apparently decided against it. “But I’m also keeping it true: The Roots/Bilal/Kimbra (w/ Wendy Melvoin, DD Jackson & Ray Angry) pulled out of these Bowie gigs. We have patience. But we do NOT have patience for the #Bitchassness. Enjoy your precious equipment.”

See the full post below.



