Trump campaign ‘ignores’ British rockers’ requests not to use their music
Rocker Paul Rodgers is the latest in a string of British artists to hit out at US presidential nominee Donald Trump for using their music on his campaign trail without permission.
The Republican appears to have ignored the demands of Rodgers by using his hit single ‘All Right Now’ at his party’s convention in Cleveland, Ohio, on Thursday.
The billionaire property tycoon ended his nominee speech with his campaign slogan “Let’s make America great again,” and “I love you” before the song’s famous guitar riff kicked in.
Rodgers, who wrote the tune in 1970 while a member of Free, previously said he had alerted his lawyer to the song’s unauthorized use during the Republican convention on Monday.
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
Trump had then used it to introduce his running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence.
Rodgers has joined a string of British artists including Queen, Adele and representatives of Beatle George Harrison to object to the Republican and his campaign using their material.
Earlier in the convention, Trump walked on stage to the sound of Queen’s 1977 classic ‘We are the Champions,’ which was followed by a message on the band’s Twitter that its use was unauthorized and against its wishes.
Queen’s label Sony says it is “frustrated” by Trump’s “repeated unauthorized use” of the song and claims that his campaign has ignored their cease-and-desist request.
An unauthorised use at the Republican Convention against our wishes - Queen
— Queen (@QueenWillRock) July 19, 2016
Representatives of Beatles guitarist George Harrison said the unauthorized use of ‘Here Comes The Sun’ to introduce Trump’s daughter Ivanka was “offensive and against the wishes of the George Harrison estate.”
Adele’s hits ‘Rolling in the Deep’ and ‘Skyfall’ were played at Trump’s political rallies earlier this year, prompting her spokesman to point out she had not given permission for her music to be used for any political campaigning.
Political candidates do not need express permission from artists to use their songs on their campaign trail, as long as they obtain a blanket license under a performing rights organization.
