The gaffe-ridden Republican convention came to a triumphant end Thursday night with a flurry of balloons, fireworks and the unmistakable riff of Free's classic "All Right Now."
As the party danced the night away and others celebrated the end of the longest nominee acceptance speech in the last four decades, a pinned tweet on Free singer Paul Rodgers' Twitter page made his feelings about the use of the song abundantly clear.
"Permission to use 'All Right Now' was never sought for or granted by me. My lawyer is dealing with this matter," he wrote.
It was a familiar refrain, and as the arena's sound system played out the next track - the incongruous "You Can't Always Get What You Want" from the Rolling Stones - Mick Jagger and co. geared up to release their own statement distancing themselves from Trump.
The bands join a long, long line of musicians that have fallen over themselves to complain about the Trump campaign using their music, dating right back to Neil Young balking at the use of "Rockin' In The Free World," which Trump used to announce his candidacy. Of course the complaint prompted Trump to reply that he "didn't love it anyway."
Rodgers also had to suffer the indignity of the convention house band butchering his Bad Company hits during the week. A house band, incidentally, that has said they're not Republican and they do these gigs for the money and to send their kids through school.
— Kasie Hunt (@kasie) July 21, 2016
Almost every musical moment this week has been a misstep, from "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" soundtracking the Trump/Pence love-in to scenes of confused people in comedy hats shuffling back and forth to The Clash's "Rock The Casbah" and The Beatles' "Eight Days A Week."
Here are a few of the bands and musicians that have complained about their music featuring in the Trump campaign:
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones do not endorse Donald Trump. You Can't Always Get What You Want was used without the band's permission.— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) July 22, 2016
Paul Rodgers (from Free and Bad Company)
Permission to use "All Right Now" was never sought for or granted by me. My lawyer is dealing with this matter. - Paul— Paul Rodgers (@_paulrodgers) July 18, 2016
George Harrison's estate
The unauthorized use of #HereComestheSun at the #RNCinCLE is offensive & against the wishes of the George Harrison estate.— George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) July 22, 2016
If it had been Beware of Darkness, then we MAY have approved it! #TrumpYourself— George Harrison (@GeorgeHarrison) July 22, 2016
Queen
"Queen does not want 'We are the Champions' to be used as an endorsement of Mr. Trump and the political views of the Republican Party," the band said in a statement. Brian May, meanwhile, hopes Trump bites the dust in November.
There's a nice one waiting 4 him when he fails (please God) and the world is safe again. Another One B T Dust. Bri https://t.co/tcKhng1zFU— Dr. Brian May (@DrBrianMay) July 22, 2016
Pavarotti's widow
Nicoletta Mantovani Pavarotti said that the "values of brotherhood and solidarity" that Pavarotti expressed during his career "are incompatible with the world vision proposed" by Trump, according to local paper the Gazzetta di Modena.
The O'Jays
Founding O'Jays members Eddie Levert and Walter Williams said that Trump's campaign is "divisive and at odds with the overriding message of their song ['Love Train']."
Levert added a personal thought about Trump: "I think he just may be the anti-Christ."
Earth, Wind and Fire
Another unauthorized use (September) at the Republican Convention, against our wishes - Earth, Wind & Fire https://t.co/GV48JxcbGz— Earth, Wind & Fire (@EarthWindFire) July 20, 2016
The musicians who have spoken out this week join the likes of Adele, Twisted Sister, Steven Tyler, Elton John, The Turtles, rapper Everlast, who called Trump a "piece of shit," and R.E.M. in begging Trump to stop besmirching their legacies in recent moths.
"Go fuck yourselves, the lot of you—you sad, attention grabbing, power-hungry little men. Do not use our music or my voice for your 1)— Mike Mills (@m_millsey) September 9, 2015
...moronic charade of a campaign."—Michael Stipe— Mike Mills (@m_millsey) September 9, 2015
Personally, I think the Orange Clown will do anything for attention. I hate giving it to him.— Mike Mills (@m_millsey) September 9, 2015
No word yet on what Trump thinks of the band backlash.
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