Watch Big Richard Cover Black Sabbath’s ‘War Pigs’ & More At Kennedy Center

Big Richard performed at The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. yesterday, dressed in costumes emulating the nation’s Founding Fathers. The quartet performed a cover of Black Sabbath’s protest song “War Pigs” and ended the performance with an unconventional version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The group – mandolinist Bonnie Sims, fiddler Eve Panning, bassist Hazel Royer and cellist Joy Adams – posted a message on social media following their Kennedy Center performance. Big Richard’s note explained their decision to perform at the Kennedy Center after President Donald Trump took over the board of the historically bipartisan organization.

Big Richard wrote:

A fair amount of [people] questioned our decision to play the [Kennedy Center] since [Trump] took over as board chairman but Big Richard doesn’t pull out — we came to DC and gave them the show they *deserve* in true Big Richard style. And dressed as Founding Fathers.

Hearing about the systematic dismantling of our national arts center from the people who have worked there for 20+ years was eye-opening. The entire staff was totally on our side as they are trying desperately to preserve the programs and spaces they’ve dedicated their careers to, and they were so grateful to us for bringing our “FVCK YOU” attitude that they don’t have the privilege of embodying if they want to keep their jobs. So we came today and represented for them, for ourselves, and for YOU.

Big Richard played “War Pigs” as the penultimate song of their set. Black Sabbath’s legendary frontman, After the Sabbath cover, Sims spoke to the audience.

“We got one more song for you,” Sims explained. “It’s really short. We’re going to do it right now. We couldn’t come and play at the Kennedy Center and play nice all the way. So, please rise for the national anthem.”

Sims then walked over and leapt into the arms of Adams and the two kissed throughout the subsequent rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” played by Panning and Royer.

Watch a livestream replay of Big Richard’s Kennedy Center performance below, “War Pigs” begins around the 55:00 mark: