A week ago, complaints were flying about the McCain campaign using the Van Halen song “Right Now” at the rally to introduce Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate (never mind that half the members of Van Halen who recorded that song — Sammy Hagar, who wrote the lyrics, and Michael Anthony – neither of whom are still with the group, were playing a show at the GOP convo last Sunday night.)
Now, the group Heart is all upset about the use of their song “Barracuda” during the finale of the convo as the unofficial theme song for Palin who had the nickname Barracuda back in high school. Ann and Nancy Wilson of the group have sent a “cease and desist” letter to the McCain camp.
“The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission,” according to a statement issued late on Thursday on behalf of the sisters.
Well, they may not have asked the Wilson sisters (and I’m sure that Ann Wilson would not have been able to grant permission simply because she would have been too busy stuffing her face with Ring Dings and Ho-Hos.) Luckily for the Wilson sisters, seems as if they’ll be getting some royalties to pay for more Hostess baked goods:
The McCain campaign said it had obtained the appropriate licenses to play the song.
“The McCain campaign respects intellectual property rights,” spokesman Brian Rogers said. “Accordingly, prior to using ‘Barracuda’ at any events, we paid for and obtained all necessary licenses.”
. . .
Copyright law may not be on the Wilsons’ side as the song is licensed for public performance under a blanket fee paid by the venue to ASCAP, the firm that collects royalties on behalf of composers and copyright owners.
Despite the Wilson sisters’ objections, one of the song’s co-writers said he was “thrilled” that the song was used.
In an e-mail to Reuters, the band’s former guitarist, Roger Fisher, said it was a win-win situation. Heart gets publicity and royalties, while the Republicans benefit from “the ingenious placement of a kick-ass song,” Fisher said.
That said, Fisher is donating his portion of the royalties to Barry Obama, which would be the smart thing for the Wilsons to do rather than spend it all on Twinkies.
Ann Wilson of Heart
Filed under: 2008 Elections, Entertainment, National Politics, Sarah Palin
These bands are ridiculous, and the McCain campaign is correct. They don’t have to get permission to use their songs; they just have to pay the licensing fees.
I put on business conferences for a living. I can’t imagine if I (and the hundreds of other conferences going on every week of the year) had to get permission to use each piece of music. No reason a political convention should be any different.
Great line by Fisher, BTW. At least he has some sense.
Yeah, and it’s why Rush can you “Ohio” by the Pretenders and, though it may get Chrissy Hynde’s hind-end in a knot, there isn’t a damn thing she can do about it.
Wow. That’s intelligent. The issue isn’t Ann Wilson’s weight. So, you don’t like what they stand for or speak out against, so the first thing you do is make comments about her weight!
If you don’t agree with them, that’s fine. But the only thing you can come up with to make your point is an uncalled for and mean spirited comment about Ann’s weight. LOL Pathetic really.
I’ve never been more proud to be an American than right now at this very second. Freedom of Speach apparently only applies in your world if someone agrees with YOU.
Gee, Ms. Tralwind…gimme a break! It’s the truth, as Ann Wilson is more focused on stuffing her face with fattening treats than singing. It was used for humor and satire, and it made a valid point, since many of these rock bands cry foul when Republicans use their songs (even if permission is obtained). However, if a Democrat uses the song (with or without permission), notice that they do not cry foul.
Shall we discuss Linda Rondstat? I’m suprised her legs haven’t caved under the load she’s placed on them. If these people can’t manage their own health, I damned sure don’t want them anywhere near public policy.
WOW – I’m impressed~
In one place someone’s paranoid about Michelle Obama’s thesis and here an awful lot of weight is put on overweight singers.
Great place to hang out and see what stirs the Reps!
I guess LINDA ACORN doesn’t write songs for a living. I love how people state their opinions so strongly yet are the most misinformed, ignorant asses on earth. All you conservatives who LOVE Republicans remind me of that imbecile on THE VIEW who thinks she’s happening but is so very vile and out to lunch. You idiots who make fun of a person’s weight, talk a bunch of crap and have no facts to convey to anyone. This year, OBAMA is going to win. McCain / Palin is a laughable, ridiculous notion. Can you imagine this jackass PALIN running our country? She is a soccer Mom idiot from a virtually tiny town which no one ever heard of before. Thank G-d for states like NY, CA, CHICAGO where smart people live and not VIRGINIA and ALASKA where a bunch of morons reside who know absolutely NOTHING about the world and political issues. Linda, go screw yourself honey & CONSERVATIVE FEMBOT you stupid jerkoffs.
By the way, VIRGINIA is freaking RACIST as are ALL the asswipes who are voting for the decrepit McCAIN and the egomaniacal animal murderer PALIN. You people weren’t happy voting for BUSH the CLOWN twice in a row — our countyr is faltering as we are the laughing stock of the world…You want to end the US by putting McCAIN (A MANIAC) and PALIN (A woman who doesn’t want women to have free choice and who shoots moose from a helicopter for fun) as OUR PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENT? HOW RETARDED ARE YOU REPUBLICANS? HOW ROBOTIC AND MORONIC ARE YOU PEOPLE? DO ANY OF YOU THINK FOR YOURSELVES OR JUST DO WHAT ALL THE OTHER ROBOTS DO IN YOUR LITTLE, SANITIZED TOWNS?
GET A LIFE
MOVE TO NYC AND LIVE WITH REAL PEOPLE WHO KNOW THE ISSUES AND WILL VOTE ACCORDINGLY.
G-D I CANNOT STAND YOU RACIST, REPUBLICAN, CONSERVATIVE, JUDGMENTAL, IGNORANT ASSES.
RILEY: YOU SUCK TOO FOR PUTTING UP SUCH A HATEFUL ONE-SIDED WEBSITE. AT LEAST HAVE THE DECENCY TO NOT USE THIS SITE FOR YOUR ANGER AND PERSONAL ATTACKS ON REALLY AWESOME, TALENTED SINGERS LIKE THE WILSON SISTERS. BLOATED? I WOULD LOVE TO SEE WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE…YOU ARE PROBABLY LIKE OTHER VIRGINIANS I HAVE KNOWN: FAT, WHITE, BALD AND VERY DULL.
YOU SHOULD ROT IN HELL FOR THIS SITE, YOUR COMMENTS & YOUR BLATANT, FLAGRANT STUPIDITY. VIRGINIA SUCKS BECAUSE YOU ARE IN IT…
You really gonna take that route? You stupid Republican bastards. VOTE FOR OBAMA! FOR FOR CHANGE!
MCCAIN/PALIN = THE END OF THIS COUNTRY
If America votes for another Republican in office, I would lose the little respect I already have for my country. Seriously, after seeing what the GOP have done for the last eight years, I am ashamed to see another out of touch Republican like McCain have so much support from the very people his party has been screwing over since 2001. And to the guy who has been railing on Virginians, at least most Northern Virginians don’t have their collective heads up their asses like the rest of Virginia. Notice I said “most” though…
Mcain- palin = washed up. Make fun of all the fat women you want. Hope it consoles you as Obama Wins, palin is impeached(trooper gate) and the banking systems is nationalized. LOL !!! THE REPUBLICAN “revolution” IS OVER. LET THE REAL REVOLUTION BEGIN. PUT ON SOME CLEAN UNDERWEAR AND BRUSH YOUR TEETH REDNECKS, CAUSE IT WILL BE TELEVISED
Why haven’t you moved to Cuba already, Marcus?
Why haven’t you moved to Cuba already, Marcus?
You want change you stupid obama the Messiah fans you just wait you non-patriotic democrats,until hes in office you will regret the day you voted for him.And talk about a racist he and Oprah Winfrey and colleen Powell are the racist.and all the blacks that are voting because he’s black ,well I hate to burst everyone’s bubble but he is half white so you racist who says hes are first black African American president,I say he’s are first white African American president.That puts a whole new spin on your stupid racist views.But putting it that way is racist in the democrats eyes.now we know why the democrats symbol is a jack-ass.At least 80 percent of the male democrats have never served in are country’s military,so what gives you the right to say a damn thing,in the first place ,OH is it that the ones of us that have served fought for your freedom of speech and are Constitution.These have been rock singers and rappers and whiney obama followers .You think are men and women in are military want a man named Barack Hussen Obama being there commander and chief,that never served a day of his life in the military,are wont pay respect to the American flag.are even wear a flag pin,and has a cuban flag in his campaign office on the wall and no American flag to be seen. And for you people that say you have little respect for are country,get the hell out if you dont like it ,move to Canada ,because if you vote for obama you have no respect at all for this country.And look at accomplishments by Sahara Palin,and you will see she has more than obama and bidden put together,so do your studies before you open your stupid democratic,jackass mouth.