# Dr. K vs. China - International war over boogie woogie on Elton John's piano **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [January 26, 2024, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-k-vs-china-international-war-over-boogie-woogie-on-elton-johns-piano/996667 "2024-01-26T05:43:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-k-vs-china-international-war-over-boogie-woogie-on-elton-johns-piano/996667/1 "2024-01-26T05:43:34Z")
If you aren’t familiar with Brendan Kavanagh take a look at this video of [him playing _boogie woogie_ on a public piano somewhere in the UK.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-ZA2QwtpVo) He gets other musicians involved in this practice [like this apparently well known musician](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIh2EueRmk0). [Now take a look at this interview with Piers Morgan about a recent incident.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdnT7NKowxo) He was doing his usual schtick when some Chinese nationals complain that he his filming them in the public location and complaining to the police about it, making up some bizarre complaint about him touching someone, and nonsense about racist remarks. [Now China is waging an internet war against him](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEM1_klyXGs) and [registering numerous complaints with YouTube about some nonsense privacy issues.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_Sdi1ITUjY) I happen to like listening to this guy play the piano. He’s entertaining, and my musical tastes are pretty simplistic, so it’s the guy of thing I like. And I also love free speech and hate the PRC. I’m starting this thread out here in CS but it might get real political fast depending on how things turn out. Take a look at the videos I’ve linked to get an idea of what’s happening to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-k-vs-china-international-war-over-boogie-woogie-on-elton-johns-piano/996667/2 "2024-01-26T06:30:45Z")
I’ve been following a discussion on this matter on another message board. Generally, the consensus is that the Chinese had no right to complain—he’s filming himself playing a public piano, he’s attracting a crowd, and people in the crowd are going to be filmed. If the Chinese objected to being filmed in public—well, it’s a lot easier to walk to another part of the train station than it is to move a piano. And if you like the music and gather around, then you’re going to be filmed. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-k-vs-china-international-war-over-boogie-woogie-on-elton-johns-piano/996667/3 "2024-01-26T07:13:08Z")
I saw that earlier in the Chinese news. Here’s an interesting thought: those who were on the scene and are now complaining about him certainly did not seem to mind capturing _his_ image without permission. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-k-vs-china-international-war-over-boogie-woogie-on-elton-johns-piano/996667/4 "2024-01-26T12:32:12Z")
I’ve seen a few other discussions and it’s generated a silly amount of reaction and follow up vids for such a tempest in a pisspot. The consensus is that the Chinese nationals were intent on triggering a confrontation so as to post an outrage video back home. Police policy is to deescalate and separate, not parse right from wrong, when there’s a public argument. Don’t argue with strangers, unless you’re looking to make your own outrage video. Don’t argue with the police; just identify yourself and politely refuse to surrender your rights. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-k-vs-china-international-war-over-boogie-woogie-on-elton-johns-piano/996667/5 "2024-01-26T12:48:20Z")
Twenty+ years ago I had a Russian co-worker. We saw some video that was filmed in a public place and he was shocked; his comment was “if you tried filming random people in Russia, you’d probably get the crap beaten out of you”. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-k-vs-china-international-war-over-boogie-woogie-on-elton-johns-piano/996667/6 "2024-01-26T13:50:12Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > his comment was “if you tried filming random people in Russia, you’d probably get the crap beaten out of you”. Leftover KGB surveillance paranoia? ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-k-vs-china-international-war-over-boogie-woogie-on-elton-johns-piano/996667/7 "2024-01-26T14:13:25Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Leftover KGB surveillance paranoia? I’m guessing most people just consider it rude. I’m not going to punch someone in the face over it, but if someone just started filming me out in public for no good reason I’d be unhappy with it. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2024, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-k-vs-china-international-war-over-boogie-woogie-on-elton-johns-piano/996667/8 "2024-01-26T23:19:32Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Leftover KGB surveillance paranoia? He suggested there were a lot of wannabe gangsters at that time who would not appreciate having someone invade their privacy. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2024, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-k-vs-china-international-war-over-boogie-woogie-on-elton-johns-piano/996667/9 "2024-01-28T22:09:29Z")
This video offers the identity of the [Chinese provocateurs and their connection to China](https://youtu.be/pFVPZKgmjAE?si=rbwuBFwx8c4pXlr4). ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-k-vs-china-international-war-over-boogie-woogie-on-elton-johns-piano/996667/10 "2024-01-29T16:35:55Z")
His camera was in a fixed position. They had to walk into the shot. I read they were filming something they intended to broadcast later, but pass off as live. When they realized it would be problematic, they pitched a fit. Called them Little Pinks! ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-k-vs-china-international-war-over-boogie-woogie-on-elton-johns-piano/996667/11 "2024-01-29T17:42:45Z")
They’re completely full of shit and have some other agenda or some chip on their shoulder. China is easily the most surveilled population on Earth. If they’ve ever left their homes the Chinese government has filmed them hundreds of times every single day. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2024, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-k-vs-china-international-war-over-boogie-woogie-on-elton-johns-piano/996667/12 "2024-01-29T21:54:40Z")
[The China Observer YouTube channel](https://youtu.be/4U-4HAojt9s?si=XtiSiVNsqA0sxGqz) says Dr. K is receiving overwhelming support from the Chinese people. They suggest the people being called ‘Little Pinks’ are being seen unfavorably by the CCP and that the CCP is trying to stay neutral on this matter, although that may all be speculation. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2024, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dr-k-vs-china-international-war-over-boogie-woogie-on-elton-johns-piano/996667/13 "2024-03-22T15:11:40Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/NVaHZOIXQ_E/maxresdefault.jpg "Why Chinese ex-pats attacked British pianist EXPLAINED") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVaHZOIXQ_E) Some possible explanations behind this international kerfuffle.