The Canadian vocal quartet The Tenors has suspended one of its members until further notice after he clandestinely inserted the phrase “all lives matter” into a performance of O Canada at an MLB all-star game on Tuesday.
During his solo, Remiglio Pereira unexpectedly sang: “We’re all brothers and sisters. All lives matter to the great” while holding up a sign that said “All Lives Matter”. The phrase is widely viewed as a rejection of the Black Lives Matter movement.
After the disrupted performance, the band issued a statement saying they were “shocked and embarrassed” by Pereira, whom they called a “lone wolf”.
Pereira showed a “disrespectful and misguided lack of judgment,” the statement said, describing his alteration of the song as “a shameful act” and “extremely selfish”:
— The Tenors (@TenorsMusic) July 13, 2016
Pereira however was far from contrite:
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 Pereira (@RemigioPereira) July 13, 2016
Thus ensued quite the social media brouhaha, with trending hashtags #TheTenors and #lonewolf.
Nickelback must be proud to no longer be a nation's musical shame. #TheTenors
— Matt Dinn (@m_dinn) July 13, 2016
Most Canadians are mad @TenorsMusic changed anthem & sang #allLivesMatter. Québécois are also mad he didn't sing it in French #TheTenors
— Mark Critch (@markcritch) July 13, 2016
As for Major League baseball, a spokesman told the CBC that they had no idea Pereira planned to alter the lyrics of O Canada. The singing of the anthem never actually aired on US TV.
