Last week, right before Republican presidential candidate John McCain introduced the world to his running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, in Dayton, Ohio, he strutted out to the sounds of Van Halen's "Right Now." A few hours later, Van Halen's publicist told MTV News that the POTUS hopeful was never granted permission to use the track, and had permission been sought, it would never have been granted.
Now, Heart are furious with the McCain campaign for its use of their 1977 hit "Barracuda" as Palin's unofficial theme song during the RNC. (When the governor was a high school basketball champ, her teammates nicknamed her "Sarah Barracuda.") Heart's reps fired off a statement saying they'd asked the Republicans to stop using the song, and in a phone call to EW.com, Nancy Wilson said she felt "completely f---ed over."
It seems McCain's people just can't find the right tunes. Considering how liberal most recording artists are, it's likely this will continue to be a problem for the GOP. Perhaps John should just stick with John Rich's "Raising McCain."
If you had to pick a song to capture the spirit of McCain's or Senator Barack Obama's campaign, which song would you go with? Tell us!
Like many Americans, artists such as Kenna, David Banner, Bun B and others are tuned in to the Republican National Convention tonight, watching John McCain officially accept his party's nomination as its candidate for president. Read their thoughts in real time throughout tonight's speech:
Kenna, 10:09 p.m. ET: McCain is a true patriot. Mad respect for his service. No one can question his courage. Most people would have serious PTSD from that imprisonment ... unable to function in society, let alone become a senator.
Bun B, 10:11 p.m. ET: The video intro is the same old military clips we've seen a million times. It doesn't impress anyone anymore. While I appreciate his service as well as all soldiers and veterans, when they shove his service record down my throat it keeps reminding me of the past. It's time to move forward, and these guys just seem stuck in the mud. LOL at "mama's boy"!
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Police arrested 102 people last night after a Rage Against the Machine concert in Minneapolis led to a spontaneous protest against the Republican National Convention, which was taking place in nearby St. Paul. Unlike Monday's protest held just outside the RNC site, the impromptu march didn’t involve vandalism. Check out the complete story of the arrested Rage Against the Machine fans.
Do you think that the police overreacted to the marchers?
The list of artists playing shows in and around Minneapolis/St. Paul during next month's Republican National Convention (September 1-4) keeps growing.
We already told you that Rage Against the Machine will play the Target Center in Minneapolis on September 3 and that Rage guitarist Tom Morello will hook up with Steve Earle for a show in St. Paul on September 1.
Now comes word that the Morello/Earle gig in support of the Service Employees International Union's Labor Day Festival will also feature Lupe Fiasco, Mos Def, Billy Bragg and Earle's wife, singer Allison Moorer, as well as a possible appearance by former Democratic presidential hopeful Senator John Edwards. The "Take Back Labor Day" Festival will take place from noon to 7 p.m. at Harriet Island Regional Park, and organizers have hinted that other "special guests" will also be on hand.
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Rage Against the Machine will give new meaning to the phrase "counterprogramming" when they plug in at Minneapolis' Target Center on September 3 — in the midst of the Republican National Convention, which will be taking place just across the river in St. Paul that week. Additionally, Rage guitarist Tom Morello will hook up with fellow well-known lefty Steve Earle to play a gig on September 1 in St. Paul, the first night of the convention.
Read the complete story here.
