Last week Trump decided to bait Neil Young and he’s done the same to countless others including the Stones and even Dexy’s Midnight Runners……..
Looks like musicians are finally fighting back….
Pitchfork reports…
In late June, the Rolling Stones threatened to sue Donald Trump if he kept using their songs in his reelection campaign. Their 1969 classic “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” had served as the unlikely closing song at many of Trump’s political appearances, including his recent rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Four years ago, Mick Jagger acknowledged what has become the reality for many artists dismayed by politicians’ use of their music. “You can’t stop them,” he said. “They can play what they want.”
The history of candidates using songs, and artists complaining about it, is long and tortuous. But like so many other conflicts, such episodes have become especially common during the divisive Trump era. In just the last few weeks, Neil Young, Dexy’s Midnight Runners, Panic! at the Disco singer Brendon Urie, and the estate of Tom Petty have all objected to their music being played at Trump events. The extensive list of artists who’ve called out the president’s use of their songs reads like a mini-Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, including R.E.M., Guns N’ Roses, Queen, Ozzy Osbourne, Earth, Wind & Fire, Prince’s estate, as well as Adele and Pharrell.
Unsurprisingly, the Trump campaign has tended to play whatever it wants even after artists complain. “I’m sitting here watching all these people tweeting, ‘You don’t have the rights to use my music,’” industry lawyer Dina LaPolt says. “He’ll just use it.” But with less than four months until Election Day, the Rolling Stones’ recent litigation threat shows how some artists are turning up the pressure on a problem where they’ve traditionally had little recourse.
Full Report: https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/musicians-might-be-able-to-finally-stop-trump-from-using-their-songs/
Neil Young Pens Open Letter to Donald Trump: ‘You Are a Disgrace to My Country’
Click image to read full letter
