In 1981, the nation was rocked by the shocking news of President Ronald Reagan’s assassination attempt.
John Hinckley Jr., the would-be assassin, sought to impress actress Jodie Foster with his deadly act. However, his actions did not win him her affection.
From Courtrooms to Concert Halls
Found not guilty by reason of insanity, Hinckley was confined to a psychiatric hospital for treatment until deemed safe for release. Decades later, Hinckley resurfaced not as a political figure but as a country singer.
Recently, at 68 years old, he faced an unexpected hurdle in his newfound career.
The Roadblocks of “Cancel Culture”
Hinckley was scheduled to perform at the Hotel Huxley in Naugatuck, Connecticut, on March 30th—coincidentally 43 years after his attempt on Reagan’s life—but his concert was abruptly postponed.
In an interview with The New York Post, he claimed victimhood to “cancel culture,” during which he expressed frustration over the cancellation.
“I think that’s fair to say: I’m a victim of cancel culture. It keeps happening over and over again.”
Legal Freedoms and Public Perception
Over the past few years, the court has gradually lifted restrictions on Hinckley. Initially, authorities permitted him to reside with his mother as his mental health improved. Then, in September 2021, they granted him full unconditional release, effective from June 2022.
However, despite these legal developments, the public’s unwillingness to overlook his attempted assassination of a U.S. president is evident in the cancellation of his concert at the Hotel Huxley.
Last week, a message appeared on the venue’s Instagram, delivering the news: “You guessed it: postponed until further notice (They’re killin us here).”
View this post on Instagram
Hinckley disclosed that venue owners’ reluctance to court controversy has led to the cancellation of approximately a dozen of his planned performances.
“They book me, and then the show gets announced, and then the venue starts getting backlash. The owners always cave, they cancel. It’s happened so many times, it’s kinda what I expect,” Hinckley shared.
Some of his axed gigs include appearances in New York, Georgia, Chicago, and Virginia.
Hinckley’s New Venture
While these venues hesitate to associate themselves with the individual who attempted to assassinate Ronald Reagan, Hinckley firmly asserts that he has undergone significant personal transformation and is no longer the same person he once was.
“I’m just not the person I used to be. I have a different mindset than I did long, long ago…I don’t want to dwell on the past. Let’s stay in the present.”
Following the indefinite postponement of his latest concert, Hinckley announced his intention to open his own music venue on X.
“I’m just caught up in the cancel culture, I guess. It would be a venue for new artists, distinguished artists and they wouldn’t get canceled [at] the last minute like I’m getting canceled.”
I’m looking for a place to open my own music venue.
— John Hinckley (@JohnHinckley20) March 13, 2024
Despite numerous setbacks, Hinckley appears determined not to abandon his dream anytime soon.
Hinckley even has a YouTube account where he regularly shares singing videos with his audience of 37K subscribers.
If you’re curious, you can take a listen to one of his original songs, “Finally Living Free,” below.