Pretty much every week now, almost every DAY, it seems, I read a new report of a musician (or band, or even the ESTATE of a dead musician) sueing, issuing cease-and-desist notices, or just publishing public statements, against American political parties - one in particular - for their unauthorized use of songs at events and campaign rallies.
Beyoncé, Celine Dion, Isaac Hayes' family, Sinéad O'Connor's family, Johnny Marr (The Smiths), Village People, Journey, Neil Young, The Rolling Stones, John Fogerty, Tom Petty's family, Phil Collins, Steve Tyler (Aerosmith), Rihanna, and REM have all objected to Donald Trump and the Republican Party using their music at campaign rallies over the years (the first few specifically during this year).
Why do they keep serially offending? Well, partly because the push-back is usually limited and the legal consequences minor. But why keep using the music of musicians that don't agree with them, often strongly so? Well, I guess, because otherwise Trump would be stuck playing less-than-memorable tunes by long-time Trump groupies Kid Rock and Ted Nugent.
Like it or not, contemporary musical artists are important influencers in this day and age. Just look at the frenzied speculation about whether Beyoncé or Taylor Swift (or BOTH!) would make an appearance at the Democratic National Convention (in the end, NEITHER of them did), and Trump's spurious AI-created deep fakes of endorsements by Taylor Swift and her Swifties.
These people are desperate for the public approbation of rock stars and cultural icons. They don't seem to mind doing it illegally.
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