The White House scrapped plans to have the new wave band the B-52s perform at Wednesday's state dinner for Australia's prime minister after deciding that it would be inappropriate at a time when “so many are facing sorrow and pain,” in the words of first lady Jill Biden.
Without directly referencing the devastation of the Israel-Hamas war, the first lady announced Tuesday that "we’ve made a few adjustments to the entertainment portion” of the dinner. Instead of the band best known for “Love Shack” and other hits, the entertainment will be instrumental music provided by the Marine band and the Army and Air Force Strolling Strings.
