Looks like The Tenors will be a trio for the time being.
The Canadian singing group has suspended a member who caused outrage at Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game after adding a reference of “all lives matter” to the “O Canada” anthem.
“The Tenors are deeply sorry for the disrespectful and misguided lack of judgment by one member of the group acting as a ‘lone wolf’ today during the singing of the Canadian national anthem at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in San Diego,” the group said on its Twitter account Tuesday night after the ball game.
The group placed the blame on member Remigio Pereira, who “shocked and embarrassed” them by changing the lyrics to “serve his own personal views.”
“The actions of this one member of this group were extremely selfish and he will not be performing with The Tenors until further notice,” the group — which includes Victor Micallef, Fraser Walters and Clifton Murray– concluded.
— The Tenors (@TenorsMusic) July 13, 2016
As previously reported, during their performance of the Canadian national anthem, the lyrics were changed to, “We’re all brothers and sisters. All lives matter to the great.”
The seeming politicization of the tune drew outrage on social media.
“Changing the lyrics of O Canada to support ‘All Lives Matter’ is an incredibly efficient and effective way to piss off literally everyone,” one critic wrote.
In a series of tweets since the group’s announcement, Pereira said he was motivated by his desire to make “a positive statement that would bring us ALL together.
“I speak for the human race and the lives of all sentient beings. Love, peace and harmony for ALL has always been my life’s purpose.I’ve been so moved lately by the tragic loss of life and I hoped for a positive statement that would bring us ALL together. ONE LOVE,” he wrote. “That was my singular motivation when I said all lives matter.”
I speak for the human race and the lives of all sentient beings. Love, peace and harmony for ALL has always been my life's purpose.
– Remigio of TheTenors (@RemigioPereira) July 13, 2016
I've been so moved lately by the tragic loss of life and I hoped for a positive statement that would bring us ALL together. ONE LOVE.
– Remigio of TheTenors (@RemigioPereira) July 13, 2016
That was my singular motivation when I said all lives matter.
– Remigio of TheTenors (@RemigioPereira) July 13, 2016