No, Johnny, No: Chuck Berry joins chorus of musicians snubbing McCain's campaign

[meegbear]

For a US presidential candidate, there is nothing better than a rocking anthem to pump up the crowds and project the sort of imagery that could help win the keys to the White House.

The Republican hopeful John McCain may be pushing 72, but his "town hall" events can be as noisy as the stadiums where Barack Obama appears on stage to the strains of U2's "Beautiful Day." But the McCain camp is having trouble settling on a suitable campaign anthem. After searching for months, it finally picked "Johnny B Goode" – Chuck Berry's rock 'n' roll classic from 1958. The high-power guitar licks and "Go, Johnny, go" chorus put a spring in Mr McCain's step. When asked why he chose it, he quipped: "It might be because it is the only one (the artist) hasn't complained about us using."

Berry, 81, may not have complained about his song being appropriated by Mr McCain, but he has made it clear he would prefer Barack Obama in the White House. "America has finally come to this point where you can pick a man of colour and that not be a drawback," Berry said. "It's no question, myself being a man of colour. I mean, you have to feel good about it."

The anointment of Mr Obama as the Democratic presidential candidate was, he added, "definitely a proud and successful moment for all the people of this country – not just black people, but Americans in general".

<snip>

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/no-johnny-no-chuck-berry-joins-chorus-of-musicians-snubbing-mccains-campaign-844215.html

[madokie]

1. I agree with Chuck

[no_hypocrisy]

2. At Ronald Reagan's 1981 Inaugural "Celebration", Donny & Marie did "Ronnie, Be Good".

That was an abomination IMO.

[Canuckistanian]

3. It's good to see McCain take an interest in this new "rock 'n roll music"

It shows he's "hep" with all the youngsters.

[marylanddem]

4. He's a hep cat.

[underpants]

5. Regan-Springsteen /Reagan- Mellencamp /Dole-Sam and Dave

allof them tried to use songs (that Reagan at least had clearly never listened to) and all were told


NO!

by the artists or the song's publishers

[KharmaTrain]

6. Chuck's Seen A Lot...

When Chuck recorded Johnny B. Goode (which was 1955, not 58), he was living in a "seperate but equal" world of St. Louis. Jim Crow laws were still being enforced and if it weren't for a small music producer, Lenny Chess, willing to take a chance on recording him, Chuck may still be cutting hair. He's seen blacks go from the back of the bus to the seat of power in his lifetime...and while we are far from eliminating racism from our society, a lot of progress has been made.

Chuck still plays every Thursday night in St. Louis...well worth getting tickets to see this legend in action. Long live Chuck Berry!

Gramps will probably still keep using the song...and Chuck will get another royalty check. Plus what else can Gramps do...change his name to Elvira? I'm sure the Oak Ridge Boys wouldn't mind. :rofl:

And what about that great campaign tune Orin Hatch wrote? C'mon, Gramps...let the Eagle Soar dude. :rofl:

Here's hoping Bruce Springsteen organizes another tour this year like he did for Kerry in '04...those were great shows.

[blondeatlast]

7. "Republicans seem to have a tin ear for music. " Ya think?! nt

[Hubert Flottz]

8. Old Salty John McDittohead will have Chuck Berry Keel Hauled...

as soon as the next election is stolen by the Rovebots.

John McKoochieCoup, can do, will do, anything he has to. Even if it requires a little compassionate faith based grand theft and some fuzzy election hardware and software...and a few show trials set up by the GOP's well oiled political strong arm over at the Rovian based department of fuzzy justice for the haves and the have mores for-ever-more.

The only song a GOPer ever really likes is played on the keys of a cash register instead of a piano and McSticky-fingers has proven he's anything but a "maverick" when it comes to that "good ole'" corporate based GOPer Greed.

McSame + Phil Gramm 08? Yes John, I think that's your ticket to ride...