SXSW Music News: Arthur Brown Cancels Performance After New Zealand Mosque Shooter Plays “Fire”

Arthur Brown has cancelled today’s performance at Waterloo Records out of respect for the victims of Friday’s attacks on two mosques in New Zealand. The gunman was heard on livestream blasting Brown’s song “Fire” in his car during his murderous rampage.

The British theatrical rock veteran, who lived in Austin for many years and is still a familiar face around town, had just delivered a brilliant performance at Empire Garage on Thursday night with his band, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. He closed that performance with the immortal 1968 single, which begins with him proclaiming: “I am the god of hellfire and I bring you fire!”

Brown announced the cancelation via Facebook Saturday evening, in a post titled “Message From the Heart.” Here it is in full:

“As co-writer and performer of the song 'Fire', and creator of 'The God of Hellfire' persona, I would like to express my horror and sadness in the use of 'Fire', in an act of terror in New Zealand. My heart goes out to all the victims and families of victims of this atrocity – and to all the communities affected.

“I should like to say that I support no group or individual that uses terrorist tactics and killing as a means of dealing with other beliefs than their own.

“I believe that all religions reach for the same root in the human being. I believe all people of all colours and all races deserve equal respect. I also believe that all people have a duty of care towards each other and all creatures on this earth.

“*OUT OF RESPECT for the victims of this horrifying act in New Zealand and following the advice of respected local authorities, I have decided to CANCEL the 'instore' performance at WATERLOO RECORDS in AUSTIN tomorrow.”