Racism, Death Threats Precede U.S. Gig for Mali’s Tinariwen

The Winston-Salem, NC venue hosting a September gig by Tinariwen, the highly acclaimed, professionally respected rhythmic guitar band from Northern Mali, has been receiving racists comments and death threats towards the band on their Facebook page. An alternative weekly in the area who covered the story, has also received xenophobic remarks on their social media platforms. The band of nomadic Tuareg, have been touring the world to avoid extremist violence at home. In fact, their lead singer was once kidnapped by terrorists and later released. John Prine will undergo a heart stent procedure and, as a result, has had to cancel shows in Canada and the Pacific Northwest. He's expected to make a full recovery. And ex-Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones has formed new band Sons of Chipotle with a Finnish cellist, and will play concerts in Japan.