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WATCH: Green Day launch into anti-Trump chant during American Music Awards

US rockers Green Day have used a live performance at the American Music Awards to vent their fury...
Newstalk
Newstalk

08.20 21 Nov 2016


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WATCH: Green Day launch into a...

WATCH: Green Day launch into anti-Trump chant during American Music Awards

Newstalk
Newstalk

08.20 21 Nov 2016


Share this article


US rockers Green Day have used a live performance at the American Music Awards to vent their fury at Donald Trump.

While performing their recent single 'Bang Bang', the punk trio switched the lyrics in the middle section to voice their protest.

"No Trump! No KKK! No Fascist USA!" frontman Billie Joe Armstrong shouted repeatedly to the star-studded audience in Los Angeles.

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Green Day, that led a revival of punk rock in the early 1990s, repeatedly denounced the president-elect during the election campaign in which the Republican ran on staunch criticism of immigrants.

In 2010, Mr Trump wrote on Twitter that he saw Green Day's Broadway musical 'American Idiot' with his wife Melania - and found it to be "excellent".

Despite the anti-Trump outburst, the awards ceremony went pretty well to plan.

Former One Direction singer Zayn Malik was named new artist of the year and Sting also accepted a lifetime achievement award.

Collecting his award, which is chosen by the American public, 23-year-old Malik said: "This one just says my name on it, right? It's been a crazy year. I can't thank the people who have been with me everyday for the past year enough.

"To this very point, being stood on this stage is crazy."

As he left the stage Malik embraced his girlfriend, model Gigi Hadid, who was hosting the awards with comedian Jay Pharoah.

Actor Robert Downey Jr presented Sting with the award of merit in recognition of work with his former band The Police and as a solo artist.

After playing a medley of some of his biggest hits including 'Message In A Bottle' and 'Every Breath You Take', Sting said: "It's important for me as a musical migrant to acknowledge the very real debt I owe to American music. After all, American music lit the musical spark in my mind.

"While I may be an Englishman in New York, my musical soul is all-American."

Selena Gomez was named favourite rock/pop female artist.

Ariana Grande beat the likes of Rihanna, Bieber, Gomez and Carrie Underwood to win the top honour of the night, artist of the year.

Justin Bieber won four awards - including favourite pop/rock male artist and video of the year for 'Sorry'.

Rihanna won three awards, while Adele, who was up for four awards on the night, won favourite adult contemporary artist.

Prince's 'Purple Rain' was named soundtrack of the year following the singer's sudden death in May, aged 57.


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