Musicians - Vote for Change

Chicago Sun Times ^ | JIm Derogatis

[JBird]

With a fervor that hasn't been witnessed since musicians in the late '60s united to protest President Richard M. Nixon and America's involvement in the Vietnam War, some of the biggest names in popular music are coming together for an unprecedented series of fund-raising concerts with the goal of unseating President Bush on Nov. 2.

Superstars from several diverse genres in rock and country -- among them Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews, R.E.M., Pearl Jam and the Dixie Chicks -- are among the more than 20 bands taking part in the Vote for Change tour, announced Wednesday with a publicity blitz that started when Matthews appeared on NBC's "The Today Show" and ended with Springsteen talking to Ted Koppel on ABC's "Nightline."

"There isn't going to be any illusion in the audience about why we're there," Matthews said. "This election is the most important one in our lifetime. It may be the most important in America's history."

Added Springsteen in a statement to the Associated Press: "We're trying to put forward a group of progressive ideals and change the administration in the White House. That's the success or failure, very clear cut and very simple."

"A vote for change is a vote for a stronger, safer, healthier America," Dave Matthews said in a statement. "A vote for Bush is a vote for a divided, unstable, paranoid America. It is our duty to this beautiful land to let our voices be heard. That's the reason for the tour. That's why I'm doing it."

[JBird]

Who's causing the division here? Who's paranoid? Where is the animosity coming from? Just play your songs. Art is best when the audience can gather their own meaning. The lemming half of Americans should be forced to process their decisions with a little logic instead of being led around on the heart strings of their idols.

The fact that there are no Republican musicians makes me wonder on the validity of the artists beliefs. Would they be cool if they sang of orginization, tradition, or morals? Would they be millionaires? Hell no! But nowadays they would be rebelious. I for one am a little tired of the same old nostalgic, hippy act I've got to hear between some otherwise great songs.

[RockinRight]

There are a few conservative musicians:

Ted Nugent
Sammy Hagar
Wayne Newton
Toby Keith
Charlie Daniels
Loretta Lynn
C.C. DeVille (guitarist from Poison)
One of the Ramones (can't remember which)
James Hetfield

[Welsh Rabbit]

With a fervor that hasn't been witnessed since musicians in the late '60s united to protest President Richard M. Nixon..."

That was a bit before my time. How'd that end up working out for them?

[baltodog]

Quick!!!!

Name a Dave Matthews song!!!!!

Quick!!!

What's the last big hit for Springsteen?

Don't look at the answers....who are the two other Dixie Chicks besides Natalie Maines?

When America gets tired of this concert (it'll just take a few more more articles), I'm willing to bet that you STILL won't know the answers to these questions.

[weegee]

Johnny Ramone.

You can add The Vandals to that list.

Also at least one member of the Smithereens and Michael Graves from the Misfits.

The Vandals have been a bit more prominent with the young people in their support of President Bush.

[JBird]

That was before my time too. I'm 29. But I've never known any other representation of Dick than a fool and a liar. From old SNL skits to Halloween masks and Classic Rock songs, I have no idea how true these impressions are or what effect they may have had on his presidency.

In fact, until the death of "The Gipper" I never knew what that name meant or who he really was as our President. I had only a vague memory of him as a senile old fool with his finger on a nuke button (which I got from a Genesis video).

Just goes to show how much of an impression these musicians can have on the uninformed, as I used to be.

[RockinRight]

Alice Cooper too. Very conservative.