Chinese rocker Cui Jian quits state TV gala show

(Credits: Shanghaiist)

One of China’s biggest rock stars has quit the CCTV’s variety show for the Chinese new year after he was refused permission to sing the unofficial anthem of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protestors. The CCTV’s Annual Chinese New year gala show had been a staple for holiday celebrations since it started in the early 1980s.

Cui Jian, known as the ‘Godfather of Rock’ in China, proposed to sing his song ‘Nothing to My Name’ at the state broadcaster’s annual gala show on 30 January. The event’s censors told him he would have to choose another song.

‘Nothing to My Name’ is a song from 1986, and became the unofficial anthem for the student demonstrations during the Tiananmen protests.

Cui instead decided to quit the show. Many members of the Chinese public praised him for his actions.

Cui had fallen out of favour with the Chinese government after he supported the Tiananmen protestors. The authorities had previously refused permission for concerts and censored his lyrics. However, this year was invited to perform at the CCTV annual show.

Cui rose to fame in the late 1980s by voicing the hopes and anxieties of a young generation of Chinese after the death of Mao and the end of orthodox communism. During the 1989 protests, Cui performed at the Tiananmen Square for students.