Heart sisters' Palin song anger

Spencer Collins · #1 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Rock band Heart have called in lawyers after US vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin used their track Barracuda at a Republican Party rally.

Singers Ann and Nancy Wilson said a cease-and-desist letter had been sent to the party asking it not to use the song, a US hit in 1977.

"The Republican campaign did not ask for permission, nor would they have been granted permission," they said.

But the party said it had obtained the necessary licences to play the song.

John McCain's running-mate used the track for her appearance at the Republican National Convention in St Paul, Minnesota on 3 September. She was nicknamed "Sarah Barracuda" while playing basketball at high school.

"The McCain campaign respects intellectual property rights," spokesman Brian Rogers told Reuters news agency.

"Accordingly, prior to using Barracuda at any events, we paid for and obtained all necessary licences."

Under US copyright law, the song is licensed for public performance under a blanket fee paid by the convention's venue.

But one of Barracuda's co-writers, former Heart guitarist Roger Fisher, said he was "thrilled" with the "ingenious placement of a kick-ass song".

However, he later told Reuters that he supported the Democratic ticket and would be donating some of the royalties to Barack Obama's campaign.

"With my contribution to Obama's campaign, the Republicans are now supporting Obama," he said.

Last month, Jackson Browne took legal action against the Republicans over their use of his song Running On Empty in a McCain campaign advertisement.

Heart released their debut album, Dreamboat Annie, in 1975, but scored their biggest successes in the mid-1980s with power ballads such as Alone and These Dreams.

Following line-up changes, the Wilson sisters have returned to their hard rock roots and continue to tour.

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Heart sisters' Palin song anger

You need coolin, baby, I'm not foolin...

cnredd · #2 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 04:26 AM

Heh: Cowriters of "Barracuda" Say Ann and Nancy Wilson Should Get a Life

Quote:

I wonder, though, if they have any power to decide if the song can be used, or if the Wilson sisters control all those rights.

If the writers are cool with it, at the very least someone could cover the song and use that at rallies. I think. Assuming they haven't sold the songbook rights to the Wilsons. Which they probably have.

In other words: I don't know. I just don't have the information. Would you just leave me alone already.

Anyway, jenjhis tips:

Quote:

One of the credited writers of the song Barracuda, Michael DeRosier, just called in to a local (Seattle) radio talk show and basically said Ann & Nancy Wilson of Heart should get a life and he thought it was pretty cool that the song was being played at the RNC.

Here's the Wikipedia entry on the song: Credited writers are shown in the upper right hand of the page.

The podcast of the show will eventually be here. They usually post it around 4 p.m. Pacific. The call is at the very end of the 1st hour.

More update!!! Currently on-air...

Roger Fisher, guitarist for Heart is now calling in (he also co-wrote the song). He's an avid Obama supporter, but also thinks it's great the song was being played at the RNC. This is right at the beginning of the second hour.

This is the difference between objective people saying "Okay" and others who let their political ideology run their life...

dabateman · #3 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnredd

Heh: Cowriters of "Barracuda" Say Ann and Nancy Wilson Should Get a Life

This is the difference between objective people saying "Okay" and others who let their political ideology run their life...

No, it's the difference between Money and Principle. If I spent time and effort contributing to a song that became a hit, I would not want that song used for advertising for someone I disagree with. And that's exactly what's gone on. Their artistic work has been used as a theme song for something they don't believe in.

In your world, it's basically fine to do anything with an artists work. Come on... You are also dealing with a bastion of the left. Are you surprised?

But I do admit I always get a giggle when I hear Queen played at a sporting event and I see these malignant machismo fools sing along. A song performed by gay man who died of AIDS is the power anthem for these guys. It just makes me smile. And I thank God for miracles like that...

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