Aerosmith front man, Steven Tyler, does not like that President Trump has been using one of his songs at campaign events, and recently made those thoughts known by sending a cease-and-desist letter to the president. In the letter, Tyler asked Trump to stop using the band’s “1993 hit song ‘Livin’ On The Edge’ at campaign events.” This isn’t the first time an artist has accused the president of using songs without permission, though. In the past, both Neil Young and Brian May of Queen got after Trump for using their songs at campaign events.
Aerosmith front man, Steven Tyler, does not like that President Trump has been using one of his songs at campaign events, and recently made those thoughts known by sending a cease-and-desist letter to the president. In the letter, Tyler asked Trump to stop using the band’s “1993 hit song ‘Livin’ On The Edge’ at campaign events.” This isn’t the first time an artist has accused the president of using songs without permission, though. In the past, both Neil Young and Brian May of Queen got after Trump for using their songs at campaign events.
According to Tyler’s lawyer, Dina LaPolt, this isn’t even the first time Trump has played an Aerosmith song on the campaign trail. Back in 2015, “Tyler sent the then-presidential candidate two letters telling him to stop using ‘Dream On’ on the campaign trail.” Because of the previous incident, LaPolt argues that “Trump’s use of ‘Livin’ On The Edge’ without the band’s permission is willful.”
The recent letter to President Trump states:
“By using ‘Livin’ On The Edge’ without our client’s permission, Mr. Trump is falsely implying that our client, once again, endorses his campaign and/or his presidency, as evidenced by actual confusion seen from the reactions of our client’s fans all over social media.”
In addition to the letter, Tyler threatened to take legal action against the president “fails to comply with his request.”
It’s important to note, however, that these disputes between politicians and artists are nothing new. For example, in 2012, “presidential candidate Mitt Romney faced complaints on behalf of Al Green, Silversun Pickups, and K’Naan.”
Some artists claim their main concern about politicians using their songs on the campaign trails is that the public will view it was a sign that the artists support the politicians using their songs. In 2008, Boston’s Tom Scholz asked “presidential candidate Mike Huckabee to stop using their song, ‘More Than A Feeling,’ for precisely this reason. At the time, Scholz said, “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.”
After issuing the cease-and-desist letter to Trump, Tyler claims the issue isn’t about politics, though. On Twitter, he made his position clear by tweeting:
“This is not about Dems vs. Repub. I do not let anyone use my songs without my permission. My music is for causes not for political campaigns or rallies. Protecting copyright and songwriters is what I’ve been fighting for even before this current administration took office.”
He added:
“This is one of the reasons why [Joe Perry, Aerosmith guitarist] and I have been pushing the Senate to pass the Music Modernization Act. No is a complete sentence.”
For those who don’t know, the Music Modernization Ac would “increase royalty payments as well as rights for songwriters and other creatives to reflect issues brought on by the digitalization of music.” The legislation was passed by the House in April 2018 and is awaiting Senate approval.
Sources:
Aerosmith Doesn’t Miss A Thing, Threatens Trump With Lawsuit Over Song Use
Steven Tyler sends Trump cease-and-desist letter over playing Aerosmith songs at rallies
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