While the second day of the Republican National Convention may have lacked a viral flub that the first day procured, it did incite more resentment from yet another iconic musical group.
Donald Trump has made his fair share of enemies, political or otherwise, but the most recent sector seemingly disenchanted with the official Republican nominee appears to be living legends within the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Earth, Wind & Fire join the already extensive list of those perturbed with Mr. Trump. The group, who earned a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award only 11 days after co-founder Maurice White was passed away at 74, reverberated the sentiments of Queen the day prior and voiced their frustration of the unauthorized use of their song played at the RNC in Cleveland.
Another unauthorized use (September) at the Republican Convention, against our wishes – Earth, Wind & Fire https://t.co/GV48JxcbGz
— Earth, Wind & Fire (@EarthWindFire) July 20, 2016
The house band present at the convention played a rendition of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” apparently with no permission or prior warning during Tuesday’s televised event. The inaugural day of the RNC spurred similar disillusionment with the rock band Queen, when their renowned song “We Are The Champions” proliferated throughout the space.
The group’s publishing company, Sony/ATV Music Publishing have since released an official statement regarding Trump’s use of the band’s music:
Sony/ATV Music Publishing has never been asked by Mr. Trump, the Trump campaign or the Trump Organization for permission to use “We are the Champions” by Queen. On behalf of the band, we are frustrated by the repeated unauthorized use of the song after a previous request to desist, which has obviously been ignored by Mr. Trump and his campaign.
Queen does not want its music associated with any mainstream or political debate in any country. Nor does Queen want “We are the Champions” to be used as an endorsement of Mr. Trump and the political views of the Republican Party. We trust, hope and expect that Mr. Trump and his campaign will respect these wishes moving forward.
We’ll have to wait and see what third day of of the RNC brings, but with resentment from Steven Tyler, R.E.M, Queen and now Earth, Wind & Fire over the unpermitted use of their songs, it’s not too hard to speculate.
