Peter Gabriel Won’t Be Edited; Turns Down Academy Awards Performance

Updated:

February 13, 2009 1:09 pm

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Peter Gabriel announced in a video on his website that he will not play the Academy Awards on February 22nd, despite the fact that his song “Down To Earth” from the movie Wall-E is nominated for Best Song, because the producers will not allow the song to be performed in full.

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No one puts Peter Gabriel in a corner.

Gabriel announced in a video on his website that he will not play the Academy Awards on February 22nd, despite the fact that his song “Down To Earth” from the movie Wall-E is nominated for Best Song, because the producers will not allow the song to be performed in full.

Instead, they proposed he sing the song as part of a medley with the other nominees, for about 60 seconds of total air time.

“I think it’s a bit unfortunate because while songwriting is a small part of the filmmaking process, we still work bloody hard and deserve a place in the ceremony as well,” said Gabriel.

The British hit-maker says he plans to attend the show, but hopes the Sowetto Gospel Choir will sing the song in his place.

“Down To Earth,” co-written by composer Thomas Newman, already picked up a Grammy for best song written for a motion picture.