Foo Fighters Slam McCain Campaign

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1596540/20081008/foo_fighters.jhtml

Oct 8 2008
Foo Fighters Slam McCain Campaign Over Unauthorized Use Of 'My Hero'
Band claims that candidate's use 'perverts the original sentiment ... [and] just tarnishes the song.'
By Chris Harris

First, the campaign of Republican presidential nominee John McCain angered the members of Van Halen. Then, about a week later, it incensed Heart. Now, the campaign has raised the ire of Dave Grohl and the Foo Fighters.

In a statement issued by the band's publicist Wednesday morning (October 8), the Foo Fighters slammed the McCain camp for its unauthorized use of the group's 1997 hit single "My Hero" as its latest campaign theme tune.

"This isn't the first time the McCain campaign has used a song without making any attempt to get approval or permission from the artist," the statement reads. "It's frustrating and infuriating that someone who claims to speak for the American people would repeatedly show such little respect for creativity and intellectual property. The saddest thing about this is that 'My Hero' was written as a celebration of the common man and his extraordinary potential. To have it appropriated without our knowledge and used in a manner that perverts the original sentiment of the lyric just tarnishes the song. We hope that the McCain campaign will do the right thing and stop using our song — and start asking artists' permission in general."

The band issued the statement after receiving press reports that McCain had been using "My Hero" as the "latest in a number of unauthorized theme songs at his campaign rallies," without seeking permission from the band, its management, record label or the song's publisher.

In late August, Van Halen lashed out at the McCain campaign after it used their track "Right Now" as the candidate's entrance theme during a rally in Dayton, Ohio. The band's publicist told MTV News that Van Halen were not informed that McCain was going to use their song and that they were never approached for permission. "Had they asked, permission would not have been granted," the publicist said.

About a week later, Heart objected to the campaign's use of their song "Barracuda" at McCain rallies and events. The campaign continued to use the track, even after Heart asked that they cease further usage.

"The Republican campaign did not ask for permission to use the song, nor would they have been granted that permission," Heart said in a statement. "We have asked the Republican campaign publicly not to use our music. We hope our wishes will be honored."

Jimmy Page Says Reunion Tour May Happen

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1580419/20080128/led_zeppelin.jhtml

Jan 28 2008
Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page Says Reunion Tour May Happen After All
'The amount of work that we put into the O2 [concert] ... was probably what you put into a world tour,' he told Reuters.
By Gil Kaufman and Kurt Orzeck

Led Zeppelin might not be headed over the hills and far away quite yet — the recently reunited rock legends have let it slip that they may actually perform together again after all, but not before September.

Guitarist Jimmy Page revealed the scenario over the weekend, according to Reuters, saying that the legendary band's one-off, strongly received December reunion gig in London, which sparked rumors of a world tour, was likely a precursor to more shows.

"I can assure you the amount of work that we put into the O2 [concert], for ourselves rehearsing and the staging of it, was probably what you put into a world tour," Page said, adding that more shows are off for the moment because of singer Robert Plant's commitments to touring with bluegrass star Alison Krauss in support of their Grammy-nominated joint album, Raising Sand.

"Robert Plant also [has] a parallel project running, and he's really busy with that project, certainly until September, so I can't give you any news," Page added.

In an interview with New York's Madison Square Garden Network during halftime at a Knicks game on Friday, Plant also opened the door to more shows, saying, "You never know what is around the corner. It's just nice to play with those guys," when asked about Zeppelin tour rumors.

That's a sharp contrast from what Plant said in late September, when he shot down claims of a potential tour outright. "There'll be one show and that'll be it," he told British music mag Uncut.

Plant's remarks had come days after Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl apparently volunteered his services for a potential Zep tour. After saying that he had planned to sneak his way into the long-sold-out London show, the former Nirvana drummer added that he wouldn't mind manning the kit for Led Zeppelin if needed. "[I am] at their beck and call," he told British music weekly the New Musical Express.