As a teenage protest-musician watching the news, Ed Sheeran’s tour has fallen apart from censorship of a billionaire. Skipping the political complexities, legal contracts, and artist history, there is a simple truth that can’t be hidden.

The public respect boldness. Music is fundamentally rebellious. An art form that conveys emotion and calls out social injustices.

To prove this point, country music star Zach Bryan wore a “Free Palestine” T-shirt while performing at Gillette Stadium. It was reported cameras only displayed him from a distance. But the point remains. You can’t stop the music. Those who censor music spread the message.


The Doors appeared live on the Ed Sullivan Show on September 17, 1967, where Jim Morrison defied network censors by singing the original lyrics to “Light My Fire.” Today, this is a song I performed in our kids group at School of Rock. Morrison’s boldness made him legendary. Controversy ended long ago.