Manahawkin, New Jersey — Jethro Tull is off the play list of a classic rock station after the band's frontman criticized displays of the Stars and Stripes.
"I hate to see the American flag hanging out of every bloody station wagon, out of every SUV, every little Midwestern house in some residential area," Ian Anderson was quoted as saying in an interview published on Sunday in the Asbury Park Press. "It's easy to confuse patriotism with nationalism. Flag waving ain't gonna do it."
The verdict from listeners of WCHR-FM's The Free Beer & Hot Wings Morning Show was swift.
"The reaction of our audience has been 99 per cent in favour of the ban and 99 per cent incredulous that he would say such stupid things," said Phil LoCascio, WCHR program director and on-air personality. "He is a smart guy. As far as we're concerned, this ban is forever."
He said the ban isn't censorship because "our listeners' right to ask us not to play the music is equal to his right to say what he wants."
