tenacious d tour did kyle quit

• Share this —

• Watch Full Episodes
• Read With Jenna
• Inspirational
• Relationships
• TODAY Table
• Newsletters
• Start TODAY
• Shop TODAY Awards
• Citi Concert Series
• Listen All Day

Follow today

More Brands

• On The Show
• TODAY Plaza

Jack Black cancels Tenacious D tour after bandmate’s controversial comment. What happened?

Jack Black is giving an update about the future of Tenacious D following a concert that led to the cancellation of their tour.

Speaking to Variety's Marc Malkin at a movie premiere on Aug. 6, Black said the band would return.

“We need to take a break. Everybody needs a break sometime. And we’ll be back," the outlet reported Black saying.

Black said he is still friends with bandmate Kyle Gass following the incident. “Yeah, we’re friends. That hasn’t changed. These things take time sometimes… And we’ll be back when it feels right," Black said.

Black said he was initially “blindsided” after a concert in Australia in July, when Gass — who co-founded the comedy rock duo Tenacious D with Black in 1994 — made a comment related to the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. 

His words were met with swift backlash on social media. An Australian senator issued a statement calling for Black, 54, and Gass, 64, to be deported “immediately,” condemning what he referred to as the band’s “call to political violence.”

Soon after, Gass released a statement on Instagram apologizing for his remark, and Black shared on Instagram that the Tenacious would be canceling the remainder of their tour, which was set to wrap up in Pennsylvania in October.

Gass has since been dropped by his talent agency, TODAY.com can confirm.

Read on to learn more about the moment that caused controversy at Tenacious D’s recent Australian show.

What exactly happened at Tenacious D’s recent concert?

During a July 14 performance at the ICC Sydney Theatre in Sydney, Australia, Jack Black presented Kyle Gass with a cake on stage to mark his 64th birthday. 

When Black asked Gass to make a wish before blowing out the candles, Gass said, “Don’t miss Trump next time,” as seen in a video of the moment making the rounds on X.

After Gass made his quip about Trump, some people in the audience could be heard laughing and applauding.

Gass was apparently referring to the July 13 assassination attempt on the former president Donald Trump. The former president was injured after a gunman opened fire during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump has said a bullet pierced his right ear before he was rushed off stage by Secret Service agents.

A spectator, Corey Comperatore , was killed in the shooting, and two others were injured. The shooter also died.

The assassination attempt was condemned by political leaders on both sides of the aisle. President Biden called the incident "sick" and said it was "one of the reasons we have to unite this country."

What were the reactions to Gass’ comment?

Gass’ comment was criticized by many on social media.

One X user called his words an “incitement to violence,” and another said his joke had been made in “poor taste.”

“Tenacious D is done. Calling for the President to get shot again? Shame on you. You are done,” another person commented on one of Tenacious D’s recent Instagram posts . “I wholeheartedly supported Tenacious D for over 20 years. I am done. You are done. If you come to St. louis I will protest your event.”

Others on social media argued that while they may not have agreed with Gass’ comment, he had the right to make it.

“Although I find it offensive and untimely, he has every right to say and speak his truth the way he wishes,” one person wrote on X .

“I don’t know; he’s kind of a comedian/musician, and comedians in general typically use moments like this to interject some dark humor,” another X user wrote .

Some commenters shared their continued support of Tenacious D.

"Kyle’s comment only solidified that I am a tenacious d fan, rock on dudes, and keep free speech alive !" one person commented on one of the band's recent Instagram posts .

On July 16, an Australian senator, Ralph Babet, issued a release on X calling for the two members of Tenacious D to be “deported immediately.”

“I condemn in the strongest possible way the call to political violence by Tenacious D in Sydney on Sunday,” Babet said in the release.

“To advocate and or wish for the assassination of a President is egregious, disgusting, filthy, evil, and not acceptable in any way, shape or form,” he continued. “This was not a joke, he was deadly serious when he wished for the death of the president.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk also weighed in on Gass' remarks, writing the world "Evil" beneath an X post that shared footage of the moment at the Sydney concert.

What have Jack Black and Kyle Gass said about the moment?

After the incident, Gass issued an apology statement in a now-deleted Instagram post.

“The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake,” he wrote. 

“I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone,” his statement continued. “What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgment. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”

Gass has returned to Instagram with posts unrelated to the incident .

Black also issued an Instagram statement about the incident.

“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday. I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” he wrote. 

“After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold,” the "School of Rock" star continued. “I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”

Tenacious D had several sold-out shows planned across Australia and New Zealand in July as part of their Spicy Meatball Tour, according to their official website’s tour page, which has since been taken down.

The band was also set to embark on a Rock D Vote tour in the U.S. in October, with all proceeds going to Rock the Vote, a nonpartisan organization working to increase young people's involvement in the democratic process.

The rock duo had shows planned in Bloomington, Indiana, Columbus, Ohio, Kalamazoo, Michigan, Madison, Wisconsin, and State College, Pennsylvania.

Black and Gass have not yet shared details on how and when tickets might be refunded for their canceled shows.

Frontier Touring, the concert promoter that had been handling Tenacious D’s tour dates in Australia and New Zealand, shared in a July 16 Facebook post that the band’s planned show that evening in Newcastle, Australia, had been “postponed.”

The promoter advised ticket holders to “hold onto their tickets until further information is available.”

Black confirmed in August the band would return.

Lindsay Lowe has been a regular contributor to TODAY.com since 2016, covering pop culture, style, home and other lifestyle topics. She is also working on her first novel, a domestic drama set in rural Regency England.

Which Kansas City Chiefs games could Taylor Swift attend during the 2024 season?

Rory Feek and his older daughters battle publicly over care of youngest daughter Indiana

‘The Perfect Couple’ star Eve Hewson has rhythm in her roots

Oasis fans report sky-high prices, glitches while trying to purchase reunion tour tickets

Country Music Hall of Fame just received a historic donation. Who’s behind it? EXCLUSIVE

Adele says fans won’t see her for ‘an incredibly long time’ after residency ends

Fatman Scoop is being mourned by the rap community. All about the music legend’s life, songs and contributions

Maren Morris comes out as bisexual months after finalizing her divorce

Fergie shares rare pics of son Axl for his 11th birthday

Oasis announce world tour and will reunite for the 1st time in 15 years. How to get tickets

Jack Black Cancels Tenacious D Tour After Kyle Gass’ Controversial Trump Comment

By Larisha Paul

Larisha Paul

All remaining dates on Tenacious D ‘s Spicy Meatball Tour, as well as all future creative endeavors involving the comedy duo, have been canceled. This decision — announced via social media by Jack Black — comes following a recent performance in Sydney, Australia , during which Kyle Gass made a birthday wish on stage: “Don’t miss Trump next time,” referring to the attempted assassination of Donald Trump .

Donald Trump Has to Stop Playing 'Hold On, I'm Coming' at Rallies, Judge Rules

See lady gaga's harley quinn sing a judy garland song to the joker in 'folie à deux', this georgia election official faked refusing to certify an election, 5 reasons to start watching ‘slow horses’.

Tenacious D were scheduled to perform at Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Tuesday, July 16, but the show had been postponed prior to Black’s statement, according to promoter Frontier Touring. The comedy duo was meant to be on the road in Australia and New Zealand through July 26. They also recently announced a five-show run leading up to the U.S. presidential election in partnership with Rock the Vote.

“Anything less than a deportation is an endorsement of the shooting and the attempted assassination of Donald J. Trump,” Senator Ralph Babet of the United Australia Party wrote on social media on Monday. He also urged Andrew Giles, the country’s immigration minister, to revoke Tenacious D’s visas.

T.I. and Tiny Accuse Toy Titan of Being 'Willful Infringer' in Third OMG Girlz Trial

• Trademark War
• By Nancy Dillon

Lil Wayne Will Reunite With the Hot Boys at Lil Weezyana Fest

• Back Together
• By Tomás Mier

Halsey Will Unveil 'Great Impersonator' Album Artwork Via Global Fan Scavenger Hunt

Everything that went right (and wrong) during oasis' ticket sale.

• Look Back in Anger
• By Ethan Millman

DaBaby Battery Trial Postponed, But Not for Long, Judge Warns

• Coming Soon

Most Popular

Brad pitt and george clooney dance to 4-minute standing ovation for ‘wolfs’ during chaotic venice premiere, richard gere jokes he had "no chemistry" with julia roberts in 'pretty woman', new photos show that ben affleck is back to old habits amid jennifer lopez divorce, regina josé galindo puts her body on the line in her art confronting power, you might also like, ‘the bachelorette’ finale: how did jenn’s love story end, patrick schwarzenegger and abby champion are the faces of tommy hilfiger’s fall campaign, the best yoga mats for any practice, according to instructors, telluride wrap: cannes winners are festival crowdpleasers as ‘emilia pérez,’ ‘anora,’ and more launch oscar campaigns, court oks diamond sports’ nba, nhl deals ahead of key fall hearing.

Rolling Stone is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Rolling Stone, LLC. All rights reserved.

Advertisement

Supported by

Jack Black Ends Tenacious D Tour After Bandmate Jokes About Trump Shooting

At a concert in Australia, Kyle Gass made a comment suggesting that he wished the shooter had not missed former President Trump during an assassination attempt.

• Share full article

By Maya Salam

Tenacious D, the American comedy-rock duo that includes the movie star Jack Black, announced on Tuesday that the remainder of its tour would be canceled and that all future plans were on pause after the band’s other member, Kyle Gass, made an offhand comment onstage about the assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump .

A representative for the duo confirmed that Black had brought out a cake at the ICC Sydney Theater in Australia on Sunday to celebrate Gass’s 64th birthday. When Black asked Gass to “make a wish,” Gass responded, “Don’t miss Trump next time.” Videos of the moment were circulated widely online.

In a statement posted to social media on Tuesday, Black, known for “School of Rock” and “King Kong,” said he “was blindsided by what was said at the show,” adding, “I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.”

“After much reflection,” he continued, “I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.” In June, Black, 54, attended a star-studded fund-raiser for President Biden, at which he gave a speech in American flag-themed overalls.

Gass posted an apology to social media on Tuesday morning, stating that “the line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake.”

“I don’t condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone,” he wrote. “What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgment. I profoundly apologize to those I’ve let down and truly regret any pain I’ve caused.”

Michael Greene said on Tuesday that Greene Talent, Gass’s talent agency, had parted ways with him.

Shortly before the announcement that the entire tour was canceled, the band, which has been active since 1994, postponed its Tuesday date in Broadmeadow, Australia.

In the wake of Gass’s onstage remarks, Senator Ralph Babet of the center-right United Australia party called for the duo to be deported. In a lengthy statement posted online , he said, “Tenacious D should be immediately removed from the country after wishing for the assassination of Donald Trump at their Sydney concert.”

During a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, a man fired shots toward the stage while the former president was speaking. One spectator was killed, and Trump was rushed off, blood visible around his right ear. The shooter was killed by the Secret Service, and his motive remains unclear.

It is not the first time a celebrity has faced fallout from a joke about Trump. In May 2017, Kathy Griffin’s career was put on ice after she posed for a photograph holding a severed-head Halloween mask of Trump, who was then the president, doused in blood-like ketchup.

Maya Salam is an editor and reporter, focusing primarily on pop culture across genres. More about Maya Salam

Jack Black Cancels Tenacious D Tour and ‘All Future Creative Plans’ After Kyle Gass’ Remark on Trump Assassination Attempt: ‘I Was Blindsided by What Was Said’

By Zack Sharf

Digital News Director

• Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves Call Each Other Husband and Wife in Text Messages After Maybe Getting Married for Real on ‘Dracula’ Set 7 hours ago
• Ridley Scott Never Consulted Russell Crowe on ‘Gladiator 2’ and Hopes the Actor ‘Doesn’t Start B—-ing About’ It: ‘Why Would I? He’s Dead!’ 8 hours ago
• Michael Keaton Says ‘A Lot of People Are Making a Lot of Money With Superhero Movies’ Because of Tim Burton’s ‘Choice and Vision’ for ‘Batman’ 9 hours ago

Jack Black announced on social media that he’s canceling Tenacious D ‘s current tour amid blowback against band partner Kyle Gass , who made a controversial comment at the band’s concert in Australia on July 14 related to the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Black presented a cake to Gass on stage to celebrate the latter’s 64th birthday. When Black then asked Gass to make a wish, Gass responded: “Don’t miss Trump next time.”

“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday,” Black wrote in a follow-up statement. “I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.”

Popular on Variety

Related stories.

Why Studios Still Haven’t Licensed Movies and TV Shows to Train AI

Nikki Glaser to Host 2025 Golden Globes

Tenacious D was performing at Australia’s ICC Sydney Theatre the day after the assassination attempt on Trump when Gass made his comment, much to Black’s surprise. The comment was not a rehearsed bit. Information on the remaining tour dates and how fans can access refunds will be provided at a later date.

Trump was struck in the ear by a live bullet during a July 13 rally in Butler, Pa. after a gunman opened fire from an elevated position outside the venue, the U.S. Secret Service confirmed. The Secret Service “neutralized” the shooter, who died. One person in the crowd was killed by the gunfire, and two others were critically injured.

In addition to their current tour, which is now canceled, Tenacious D had also been scheduled to play a series of October concerts to support Rock the Vote, the nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to building the political power of young people.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jack Black (@jackblack)

More from Variety

Berlin Film Festival Unveils New Selection Committee Under Tricia Tuttle’s Leadership

The Postwar Streaming Market: A Special Report

2024 Live Music Business Is Driving Record Revenues, but Some Data Points Raise Concerns

More from our brands, colleen hoover’s ‘never never’ gets special collector’s edition re-release.

Vintage Piaget Watches May Be All the Rage, but the Brand’s Current Collection Is Utterly Dazzling

Court OKs Diamond Sports’ NBA, NHL Deals Ahead of Key Fall Hearing

The Best Loofahs and Body Scrubbers, According to Dermatologists

The Bachelorette Finale Recap: Jenn Makes Franchise History — But Did She Get a Fairy Tale Ending?

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

• Entertainment

Jack Black Says Tenacious D Will 'Be Back' After Canceling Tour over Bandmate Kyle Gass' Trump Shooting Joke

"These things take time sometimes… And we'll be back when it feels right," the actor/musician told 'Variety' after canceling his band's tour last month

 Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Jack Black  is feeling hopeful about the future of Tenacious D amid their hiatus.

Last month, the actor/musician, 54, announced his decision to cancel his comedy-rock band's tour following a crass joke that bandmate Kyle Gass made about the shooting that took place at former President Donald Trump 's rally in Butler, Penn., on July 13.

However, on Tuesday, Aug. 6, Black shared an update with Entertainment Tonight , noting that he's not counting the band out completely.

"I love Tenacious D... We had to take a break, but I love the D," he said at the Borderlands premiere in Los Angeles. "Everybody takes a break sometimes. We'll be back."

Speaking to Variety on the red carpet as well, Black confirmed that he and Gass, 64 — who made up the musical duo — are still "friends" following the latter's Trump comment. "That hasn’t changed," he added. "These things take time sometimes… And we’ll be back when it feels right."

Black addressed Tenacious D's fate via Instagram on July 16, revealing that he felt "blindsided" by what Gass said about the former president at one of their shows in Sydney that month. According to fan-recorded footage shared on X (formerly Twitter), Gass joked about the July assassination attempt against Trump, saying his 64th birthday "wish" would be "don’t miss Trump next time."

Jeff Hahne/Getty

In his Instagram post, Black wrote, "I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form. After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold."

He added, "I am grateful to fans for their support and understanding."

In a now-deleted Instagram post, Gass apologized for his joke, saying, "The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake."

"I don't condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone," he continued. "What happened was a tragedy, and I'm incredible [sic] sorry for my severe lack of judgment. I profoundly apologize to those I've let down and truly regret any pain I've caused."

Prior to the incident, Black and Gass planned a short fall tour benefitting Rock the Vote, marking their second time teaming up with the nonpartisan nonprofit, per Rolling Stone . The longtime duo — who have been friends for nearly 40 years and formed their band in 1994 — had five shows scheduled in October in states like Ohio, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania leading up to the 2024 presidential election on Nov. 5.

Related Articles

Did Tenacious D break up? Trump joke sparks questions about band's future

By Dan Condon

By Al Newstead

Topic: Arts, Culture and Entertainment

Tenacious D's Jack Black says "all future creative plans are on hold" after band mate Kyle Gass's controversial statement about Donald Trump in Sydney last weekend. ( Getty: Scott Legato )

American comedy rock duo Tenacious D have hit international headlines this week after member Kyle Gass made comments at a Sydney concert on Sunday night about the recent attempted assassination of former US president Donald Trump.

The rest of the band's sold-out Australian tour has been cancelled, disappointing their many fans who have waited 11 long years to see them back in our country.

We're here to unpack some key questions about the band and the current situation.

Who is Tenacious D?

Tenacious D are a Grammy-winning musical comedy duo comprising bankable Hollywood actor, comedian and musician Jack Black, and his friend and collaborator of more than 30 years, Kyle Gass.

The pair first met in the mid-1980s as performers in Californian theatre troupe the Actors' Gang and began writing music together. They debuted in 1994 as Tenacious D (named after a basketball commentary term: "tenacious defence"), splicing comedy and classic rock.

Black once described the band as "Simon & Garfunkel meets Black Sabbath", lampooning classic rock cliches with generous helpings of swearing, fart jokes, sexual and satanic silliness, and at least one memorable power ballad counselling to 'F**k Her Gently' .

Their 2001 self-titled debut album saw them perform with arena-sized acts including Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam and Tool.

Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl has regularly collaborated with the group, starring as Satan in the music video for their signature hit 'Tribute', and again in their 2006 film and accompanying second album, The Pick of Destiny.

Even when Jack Black's acting career took off in the 2000s — thanks to the success of films such as High Fidelity, School of Rock and Peter Jackson's King Kong reboot — his friendship with Gass endured.

Tenacious D's third album, The Rize of the Fenix, was a Top 10 chart hit in Australia, the US, UK, and across Europe. Its 2018 follow-up, Post-Apocalypto, served as the duo's fourth album and soundtrack to an animated series of the same name.

What happened at the Tenacious D concert?

The second show of Tenacious D's 'Spicy Meatball' Australian tour took place at the ICC Theatre in Sydney on Sunday night. It just so happened to also be Kyle Gass's 64th birthday.

At one point during the show, a robot brings a cake out on stage. Jack Black asks Gass to make a wish, to which Gass responds "Don't miss Trump next time", referencing the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania on the weekend.

The comments were captured on video and posted to social media, prompting a flurry of reactions.

Many found the comments abhorrent. Australian Senator Ralph Babet called for the band's immediate deportation and Australian ambassador to the US and former prime minister Kevin Rudd said it made him "physically sick" and that the band should "grow up and find a decent job".

What has the fallout been?

Yesterday afternoon, the band postponed their Newcastle show , just hours before it was due to begin.

"Frontier Touring regret to advise that Tenacious D's concert tonight at Newcastle Entertainment Centre has been postponed," a statement from the tour promoters read.

"Ticket holders are asked to hold onto their tickets until further information is available."

At the time, Frontier Touring told the ABC there was no further comment.

Hours later, Jack Black took to Instagram to make a statement distancing himself from Gass's comments and announcing that the remainder of the sold-out Australian tour would not go ahead.

"I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday," he wrote. "I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form.

"After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding."

Gass then made his own statement, apologising for his off-the-cuff comments and the impact they had.

"The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake," he wrote.

"I don't condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I'm incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgement. I profoundly apologize to those I've let down and truly regret any pain I've caused."

It might all be too late. The Hollywood Reporter reports that Gass has already been dropped by Greene Talent, the agency that represents him.

Some speculate that this could spell the end for Tenacious D, a group that often must compete for attention amid Jack Black's packed film schedule. 

One thing is for sure: they'll have some work ahead of them if they're to win back the sector of their support base who were disgusted by the comment.

Have Tenacious D been political in the past?

Their music has always prioritised absurdity, but publicly Black and Gass have leaned left in their politics. They have played benefit concerts for Barack Obama and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

In 2020, they teamed up with US nonprofit Rock The Vote, releasing an all-star cover of Rocky Horror Picture Show number 'Time Warp' encouraging American voters not to "step to the right".

The duo were also scheduled to play Rock The Vote concerts this October ahead of the US election. In light of recent events, it's unclear if those shows will go ahead.

Just last month, Jack Black publicly endorsed President Joe Biden at a celebrity fundraising event, hosted in Los Angeles by Hollywood elite George Clooney and Julia Roberts, which raised a reported $US30 million for Biden's campaign.

Dressed in "kick-ass American flag overalls" and a Biden T-shirt, Black joked about turning down several other events in order to appear.

"My President needs me! … and then [my manager] hit me with the big one, 'You have nothing to wear. Your good suit is at the cleaners'," he said at the event.

"When Democracy's at stake, Jack Black answers the call."

The band's self-titled 2001 debut closes with the track ' City Hall ', where Black and Gass comically invoke "all you motherf**kers in the streets" to rise up and riot to depose political leaders.

The punchline? The pair instate themselves as kings whose ill-informed decrees lead to internal squabbling.

Post-Apocalypto introduced a stronger thread of political satire to their musical comedy.

The setting for the 2018 animated series was a post-apocalyptic America ruled by Donald Trump Jr., depicted as a squalid dictator protecting The White House with a militia composed of Nazis and KKK members ( as heard in their song 'March' ).

In a 2019 interview with Californian radio station KLOS , the duo were asked what the biggest uncertainty about adding a political perspective was.

"I guess losing half of our fanbase," Gass responded. "I think whenever you stick your neck out there and try to say something important … It's a little scary."

Black added: "Whenever you take a stand, there's a certain amount of risk, but if you get the sack for it, then by the gods, you do what you know is right."

How is social media responding?

Reactions are divided, ranging from shock to vilification and disappointment from Australian fans who are missing out on Tenacious D's first shows here in 11 years.

An Instagram post from promoters Frontier Touring announcing the tour's cancellation features many calling the situation a "wild overreaction".

"He only said what we were all thinking. Serious over reaction," reads the top comment.

"I think the apology statement was needed but [I don't know] about cancelling the whole tour," reads another.

"How ridiculous. I have heard bands AND comedians say way worse," remarks another, while someone noted the irony of the tour title: "The meatball was too spicy".

But Tenacious D's Instagram account has been bombarded with condemnation of Gass's joke.

A video post promoting the duo's cover of Britney Spears hit '…Baby One More Time' on the red carpet for Kung Fu Panda 4 (which stars Black in the titular role) is filled with backlash.

"To wish violence on someone is SICK," reads one top comment.

"Disgraceful making pro-assassination comments. Will never listen to you again," reads another.

Over on X, fans have criticised Black for throwing Gass " under the bus " with his statement, speculating he is prioritising his acting career prospects over their friendship .

"I really did not think he was this much of a careerist that he would do this to his friend of 3 decades but I guess this is who he really is. Sad to see," one user wrote .

• Newsletters
• News Insiders

Jack Black ends Tenacious D tour after bandmate’s Trump shooting comment

By Maria Sherman, The Associated Press

Posted Jul 16, 2024 09:49:58 AM.

Last Updated Jul 16, 2024 09:54:31 AM.

The comedy rock duo Tenacious D — made up of Jack Black and Kyle Gass — has canceled the rest of their tour after Gass’ remarks about the assassination attempt on Donald Trump .

While onstage at a concert in Sydney on Sunday, Gass was presented with a birthday cake and asked to “make a wish” by Black. Gass responded, “Don’t miss Trump next time,” an apparent reference to the rally shooting a day before that left the former president with an injured ear. The video of Gass was widely circulated on social media.

“I was blindsided by what was said at the show on Sunday. I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form,” Black said in a Tuesday statement on Instagram . “After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding.”

Following Black’s statement, Gass apologized on Instagram.

“The line I improvised Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake,” he wrote Tuesday. “I don’t condone violence in any kind, in any form, against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I’m incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgement.”

The band recently completed dates in the U.S. and Europe. Their “Spicy Meatball Tour” was slated to continue Tuesday night in Newcastle, hitting most major cities in Australia and New Zealand this month before returning to the U.S. for a select few dates in October.

“Frontier Touring regret to advise that Tenacious D’s concert tonight at Newcastle Entertainment Centre has been postponed,” their touring company announced in a statement on Instagram Tuesday. “Ticket holders are asked to hold onto their tickets until further information is available.”

When asked for further comment, a represented for the band directed the Associated Press back to Black’s statement. Details on refunds for the remaining tour dates were not immediately available.

Maria Sherman, The Associated Press

Top Stories

With mandates to build more housing near major transit station areas the City of Ottawa is getting creative with how it accomplishes that. Two housing projects were approved by the Planning and Housing...

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were typing up plenty of tickets over the long weekend, conducting multiple traffic stops, charging over a thousand people and responding to many collisions. According...

Starting Thursday, licensed convenience stores in the province can sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink beverages. It coincides with students heading back to the classroom, and the Ontario Secondary...

Many students in Ottawa and the surrounding area are back to school today, which means and increase of children walking, biking and buses on the roads. As students head to the classroom, Ottawa police...

Most Watched Today

A teachers' union and residents have concerns over the proximity of licensed convenience stores to schools, as kids get ready to head back to the classroom. Michelle Mackey reports. 

Fresh off a vacation, U.S. President Joe Biden is resurfacing on the campaign trail. Julia Benbrook with how Biden is trying to help his Vice President Kamala Harris win the upcoming election.

Multiple missiles strike the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv once again as Ukraine increases its offensive in Russia in the ongoing 2 and half year war.

Protests erupt in Israel as calls mount for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure a ceasefire deal, after six more hostages die in Gaza.

A day of mourning has been declared in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv after Russia launched a series of aerials bombs on the region. Afua Baah has the details.

Adjust preferences

With your consent we may collect cookies and information to enhance our service, and improve your experience.

These cookies and data are essential for browsing our website and allowing services. Examples include, session, authentication, and security cookies.

These cookies and data enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalized content.

These cookies and data inform us which pages are most informative and engaging via analytics.

These cookies may track data across websites for marketing and interest-based advertising to provide personalized content, offers, and advertisements.

Did Kyle Gass Ever Actually Quit Tenacious D?

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Wilmer Valderramas Role In NCIS Cleverly Paid Tribute To His Iconic That 70s Show Character

The best '90s talk show hosts: where are they now, in 2024, fans are still blaming amy for the big bang theory's worst scene ever.

On April 1, 2021, the Twitter account for the comedy rock band Tenacious D posted a message for their 207,000 followers saying that guitarist Kyle Gass had quit the band.  Tenacious D is a duo, so without Gass, lead singer Jack Black would be all on his own in the band. The band has never been a huge moneymaker , but it's hard to imagine it could survive at all without its lead guitarist. However, eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice that the statement was posted on April Fools Day, and sure enough the band retracted the statement just seven hours later.

These tweets were not just a meaningless April Fools prank. They were also a reference to the band's 2001 song titled " Kyle Quit the Band ." The opening lyrics to the track are, "Last week/ Kyle quit the band/now we're back together, uh/misunderstanding," so it's clear to see how the tweet is alluding to the song.

But although the tweet was simply a prank, is there any truth to the lyrics of the song? Did Kyle Gass ever actually quit Tenacious D? Here's the truth behind "Kyle Quit the Band."

Related:  How Jack Black Actually Inspired The Creation Of 'School Of Rock'

9 How Jack Black Met Kyle Gass

Tenacious D was founded in 1994 by actors and musicians Jack Black and Kyle Gass. In those days, Black had yet to become the world-famous actor  and social media star he is today, and Gass had only played small roles in two Hollywood movies. The two met in the 1980s while they were both members of The Actor's Gang, an esteemed Los Angeles theatre troupe. Black was still a teenager at the time, while Gass was in his late twenties.

8 Black and Gass Didn't Get Along at First

Although their friendship and musical partnership has lasted for more than twenty-five years, Jack Black and Kyle Gass didn't immediately get along with one another when they first met. In an interview with the  San Francisco Chronicle ,  Gass said "We were not instant friends." However, the two bonded as they began to work on music together. In the same interview, Black said, "We eventually realized if we joined forces, we could be an indestructible force of entertainment."

Related:  Tenacious D’s Jack Black & Kyle Gass Say Trump Inspired Their NSFW Graphic Novel

7 Gass Taught Black Some Very Important Lessons

Jack Black wasn't really a musician before he met Kyle Gass. In fact, it was Gass who taught Black how to play the guitar, which the two revealed on an episode of  Late Night with Conan O'Brien .  So while Jack Black may have become the more successful of the two, he will always owe a debt of gratitude to Gass for the music lessons.

6 Tenacious D's Big Break

Tenacious D gave their first official performance at Al's Bar in 1994, where actor and comedian David Cross heard them play and invited them to open for his live comedy show  Mr. Show,  Black and Gass told Kerrang! magazine. A year later, Jack Black would be cast as a featured performer on the television version of  Mr. Show.  Perhaps it bothered Gass that Black was beginning to see more and more success as an actor while he was still struggling to land roles, but that never led Gass to quit the band.

Related:  Inside David Cross And Amber Tamblyn Quiet Relationship

5 The First Demo Tape

After performing in various venues around Los Angeles for several years, Tenacious D self-produced their first demo tape. The demo tape featured four songs: "Tribute," "Krishna," "History," and "Kyle Quit the Band." So as it turns out, "Kyle Quit the Band" was actually one the group's earliest songs.

4 The Story Behind "Kyle Quit the Band"

There is no reason to believe that "Kyle Quit the Band" is anything other than a funny song. As Jack Black told Kerrang!,  he and Gass "write song titles before the actual songs" and that they try to come up with song titles that "would make you want to listen." It seems like the duo just decided that "Kyle Quit the Band" was a great idea for a song.

Related:  Jack Black's Tenacious D Graphic Novel KKK Video Confuses Fans

3 "Kyle Quit the Band" Live

The duo is notable for including comedy sketches on their albums and in their concerts, and sometimes they will perform a sketch where Black and Gass get into a fight onstage and Gass storms off, pretending to have quit the band . After that, Black will perform his solo number "Dude (I Totally Miss You)" only to have Gass return shortly thereafter to rejoin band.

2 Kyle's Other Bands

Kyle Gass never actually quit Tenacious D, and the band has now been performing together for twenty-seven years. However, the band has gone on several long hiatuses, often because of Jack Black's busy schedule as a Hollywood star. For this reason, Gass has formed two other bands without Black, called Trainwreck and The Kyle Gass Band. However, even though Gass has two other bands, he remains a member of Tenacious D to this day.

1 Recent Projects

Tenacious D is still together, and there are no signs that they're planning to break up any time soon. In 2020, Jack Black and Kyle Gass wrote a graphic novel together , which was inspired by their fourth studio album  Post-Apocalypto  from 2018. Their most recent project was a mashup of two songs by The Beatles, which they released as a charity single for Doctors Without Borders.

Next: Ryan Gosling & 9 Other Actors You Forgot Were Once In A Band

Jack Black ends Tenacious D tour: What it means for sold-out Oct. 22 IU Auditorium show

I n response to recent onstage comments made by his Tenacious D bandmate, Kyle Gass, regarding the attempted assassination of former president Donald Trump , Jack Black has released a statement saying he's canceling the remainder of the band's tour.

That would presumably include the handful of " Rock D Vote " shows scheduled for this fall, ahead of the presidential election — including a sold-out stop at Bloomington's IU Auditorium .

IU Auditorium and promoter MOKB Presents did not respond immediately to an IndyStar request for additional information about the status of the event.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

From USA TODAY: Jack Black 'blindsided' by Kyle Gass' Trump shooting comment, ends Tenacious D tour

What did Kyle Gass say about Donald Trump?

In a video from a recent show in Sydney, Australia, Black is seen singing happy birthday to Gass onstage. When Gass was told to make a wish, he responded: "Don't miss Trump next time." The comment was met with applause from the crowd, and Black said, "Thank you."

The comment was in reference to a shooting the day before at the former president's rally in Pennsylvania, where one person was killed and two others were wounded in an assassination attempt. Trump was grazed by a bullet. Thomas Matthew Crooks , the 20-year-old gunman, was also killed.

Read more: Indiana man was in front row at Trump rally when gunman fired

Tenacious D tour put on hold

However, in a statement provided to USA TODAY , Black said he was "blindsided" by the comment.

"I would never condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any form," Black said. "After much reflection, I no longer feel it is appropriate to continue the Tenacious D tour, and all future creative plans are on hold. I am grateful to the fans for their support and understanding."

The band were expected to continue touring through Australia and New Zealand this summer and return to the United States this fall. They were also scheduled to do a handful of " Rock D Vote " shows, which would benefit the nonpartisan "Rock the Vote" organization ahead of November's presidential election. According to their website, all five of those shows had sold out.

Kyle Gass releases statement: 'I profoundly apologize'

Gass posted a statement to his Instagram page Tuesday apologizing for his comment.

"The line I improvised onstage Sunday night in Sydney was highly inappropriate, dangerous and a terrible mistake. I don't condone violence of any kind, in any form, against anyone. What happened was a tragedy, and I'm incredibly sorry for my severe lack of judgement. I profoundly apologize to those I've let down and truly regret any pain I've caused."

Does Jack Black support Joe Biden?

Yes. Black recently appeared at a fundraiser benefitting the president's re-election campaign, delivering a passionate speech while wearing American flag-print overalls.

From USA TODAY: Slain fireman's widow rejects Biden's call but doesn't blame him

"When democracy is at stake," he said, "Jack Black answers the call."

Who are Tenacious D?

Tenacious D is a comedy rock band formed in 1994 that includes Black and Gass. They co-starred in a comedy film about the band, "Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny," in 2006.

Outside of the band, Black is known for his appearances in films like "The School of Rock," "Nacho Libre" and "The Holiday," as well as his voice acting in the "Kung Fu Panda" franchise.

Tenacious D 'Rock D Vote' at IU Auditorium Oct. 22: What you should know

The band was scheduled to appear at a sold-out show on the university's Bloomington campus this fall.

This article will be updated when more information is available regarding the status of that event.

Looking for things to do? Our newsletter has the best concerts, art, shows and more — and the stories behind them

Contact IndyStar pop culture reporter Holly Hays at [email protected]. Follow her on X/Twitter: @hollyvhays.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Jack Black ends Tenacious D tour: What it means for sold-out Oct. 22 IU Auditorium show

Things you buy through our links may earn  Vox Media  a commission.

Tenacious D Just Needed a Break Y’all

“We were on a break!” screamed Ross Geller, but also now Jack Black. After canceling Tenacious D’s tour in July, Black says that he and Kyle Gass are still friends and they just needed “a break” from the tension. He tells Variety , “We need to take a break. Everybody needs a break sometime. And we’ll be back … Yeah, we’re friends. That hasn’t changed. These things take time sometimes … And we’ll be back when it feels right.” The tour was originally canceled after Gass made a joke about Trump’s assassination at a show in Australia. Black presented Gass with a cake for his birthday onstage, and when asked what he’d like to wish for, Gass said, “Don’t miss Trump next time,” referring to Trump narrowly avoiding getting shot in the head. Two days later, Black released a statement condemning Gass’s comments and canceling the rest of the tour. Hopefully during their break, Black isn’t making music with anyone else. Because they’re on a break and not broken up. Very different things!

• tenacious d
• still together

Most Viewed Stories

• Cinematrix No. 161: September 3, 2024
• 2024’s Comedians You Should and Will Know
• Adam Pearson Is No Wallflower
• Only Murders in the Building Recap: Show Your Cards
• What to Know About Taeil’s Sex-Crime Allegations
• Industry Recap: Rule, Britannia!

Editor’s Picks

Most Popular

What is your email.

This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us.

Sign In To Continue Reading

Create your free account.

Password must be at least 8 characters and contain:

• Lower case letters (a-z)
• Upper case letters (A-Z)
• Numbers (0-9)
• Special Characters (!@#$%^&*)

As part of your account, you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York , which you can opt out of anytime.

• Win a Jericho Cruise Trip
• Album Release Calendar
• Festival Guide

Jack Black Spills the Beans About Upcoming Tenacious D ‘Concept Album’

Actor and musician Jack Black let slip on the latest episode of  SmartLess  that a new Tenacious D "concept album" is on the way.

Talk about exciting news for D fans. Tenacious D are the comedy rock duo of Black and fellow rocker-actor  Kyle Gass . They starred in 2006's  Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny after first finding onscreen notoriety with their late-'90s HBO show. They last released the studio album  Post-Apocalypto in 2018. And despite their contributions to  several projects since , a new Tenacious D album in 2022 feels about right.

On Monday (July 11), actor and SmartLess co-host Jason Bateman  ( Ozark , Arrested Development ) — perhaps playing into the simpleton persona often jokingly cast on him by fellow co-host and actor  Will Arnett  ( BoJack Horseman , Arrested Develolopment ) — asked Black if he was still performing with Gass.

"I am playing music with Kyle Gass," Black confirmed before hinting at the forthcoming album. "We're still touring and we got a very big project coming up that I can't really tell you anything about."

Though Black perhaps didn't mean to drop more news, he added — giving us the only info on the effort so far — "We got a concept album coming down the pike."

Black, known for his roles in School of Rock and  High Fidelity , also starred in  Jumanji: The Next Level . He will appear in an upcoming Mario Bros.  film. Hear his full  SmartLess interview below and on Apple Podcasts ,  Spotify  or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thomas Jacob Black, a.k.a. 'Jack Black' reveals himself from behind a piece of toilet paper for this week’s rich and buttery (yet subtle and nutty) episode of the podcast currently known as SmartLess. We ask the doctor if we can sing, we pitch to Uber, and we send David a muffin basket. Happy 4th, fam!

Jack Black Talks to SmartLess - July 11, 2022

Musicians that believe in aliens, more from loudwire.