Friday, February 15, 2008

Why Rockers should stay out of politics for the most part anyway

When I was younger, a teenager actually, There was a band that came out that just shook the music world. I remember everywhere you went, you heard their debut song and then shortly after, a couple more from the album. It went on to become the biggest debut album to date, for a band. That band was Boston.

Now, feeling a bit nostalgic, I was saddened by the death of their lead singer, Brad Delp, who committed suicide a few months back. He was a hell of a singer and from all accounts, a great person. I also had a lot of respect for their lead guitarist/songwriter/mastermind, Tom Scholz. I remember, everyone wanted the Scholz rockman guitar effects unit to get that unique sound that he had.

So, I was a bit disappointed today when I found this;


Rocker Tells Huckabee to Lay Off Song

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - The chief songwriter and founder of the band Boston has more than a feeling that he's being ripped off by Mike Huckabee.

In a letter to the Republican presidential hopeful, Tom Scholz complains that Huckabee is using his 1970s smash hit song "More Than a Feeling" without his permission. A former member of the band, Barry Goudreau, has appeared with Huckabee at campaign events, and they have played the song with Huckabee's band, Capitol Offense.

Scholz, who said Goudreau left the band more than 25 years ago after a three-year stint, objects to the implication that the band and one of its members has endorsed Huckabee's candidacy.

"Boston has never endorsed a political candidate, and with all due respect, would not start by endorsing a candidate who is the polar opposite of most everything Boston stands for," wrote Scholz, adding that he is supporting Democratic Sen. Barack Obama. "By using my song, and my band's name Boston, you have taken something of mine and used it to promote ideas to which I am opposed. In other words, I think I've been ripped off, dude!"

Uh, Tom. You may not like Mike Huckabee, but you just said that "I am supporting Barack Obama". I think that means you are endorsing him, right, dude? Maybe you should just stick to making music no one continues to hear.

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