Posted on 08/05/2004 5:03:02 PM PDT by Chi-townChief
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."
Over the course of a week, the tour will play approximately 34 shows, visiting 28 cities in nine of the 17 "swing" states considered to be key for victory in the presidential election. In some cases, Vote for Change will find as many as six different shows happening simultaneously in cities throughout the same state.
The tour kicks off on Oct. 1 in Pennsylvania as Springsteen's E-Street Band, R.E.M., former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty and emo rockers Bright Eyes perform in Philadelphia.
At the same time, alternative superstars Pearl Jam and modern-rock up-and-comers Death Cab for Cutie will play in Reading; the Dave Matthews Band, rappers Jurassic 5 and the alternative-country band My Morning Jacket in State College; country-pop giants the Dixie Chicks and veteran folk-rocker James Taylor in Pittsburgh; John Mellencamp and R&B giant Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds in Williamsport, and Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt and modern bluesman Keb' Mo' in Wilkes-Barre.
The other states that have been targeted as tour stops are North Carolina, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. The tour will end in Florida, where the president's brother is the governor and the 2000 election was decided in a close call that remains controversial.
Vote for Change is being sponsored by the political action committee MoveOn.Org. Tickets go on sale on Aug. 21, and while prices have not yet been announced, organizers say the millions of dollars in expected revenues will benefit an organization called America Coming Together.
On its Web site, America Coming Together describes itself as "the largest voter contact program in history" and proclaims that its goal is to "derail the right-wing Republican agenda by defeating George W. Bush."
"These artists feel so strongly about this election that they are doing something unprecedented in creating this magnificent tour," ACT president Ellen Malcolm said in the press release issued by the group Wednesday. "They are sending an important message to voters in the battleground states: You can change the country if you go to the polls and vote."
Out on a limb
In a country that is sharply divided along partisan lines, artists who are participating in the tour could face a harsh reaction from some fans who are opposed to their political views.
Last year, the Dixie Chicks faced protest at concerts in some states and a boycott by many country radio stations after bandleader Natalie Maines told an audience in London that she was ashamed that President Bush hails from her home state of Texas.
Two weeks ago, Linda Ronstadt, who is not participating in the Vote for Change tour, was kicked out of the Aladdin Resort in Las Vegas after she made comments onstage praising Michael Moore's provocative anti-Bush film "Fahrenheit 9/11." According to news reports, the remarks set off what was described as "a miniriot" by Bush backers who threw drinks, tore down posters and stormed out of the show.
Some pop-music fans in Chicago say they're sick of musicians making political statements, and that the stars should just shut up and perform.
"I believe 100 percent in free speech; furthermore, I don't consider myself a Democrat or a Republican," Chicago paralegal Maria Tararo wrote in an e-mail she sent me after the Ronstadt incident in Las Vegas and anti-Bush comments at recent concerts here by Morrissey at the House of Blues and Patti Smith at Skyline Stage at Navy Pier.
"I want to get what I'm paying for. I feel like concertgoers nowadays are getting ripped off big time: We pay good money to see acts perform their music and wind up getting shortchanged by these same performers who feel it's their jobs now to 'educate' us, like we're stupid or something."
But the artists participating in the Vote for Change tour say they aren't concerned about a backlash.
"A change is in order," Maines told the AP. "There's never been a political climate like this, which is so the polar opposite of me as a person and what I believe in."
Added Springsteen: "It's a pretty clear-cut decision in November. We're chipping in our two cents. That's all we're trying to do."
Illinois fest to push registration
Counted by political analysts among the solidly "blue" or Democratic states in the presidential election, Illinois will not be the site of any of the Vote for Change concerts. But the local musical community is also mobilizing to encourage voters, most notably via the ambitious four-day Interchange Festival, which includes a series of concerts at four Chicago venues Aug. 18-21.
Less overtly partisan -- the organizers' stated goal is "to contribute money and volunteers to ongoing voter-registration efforts," and their Web site does not target Bush -- the sympathies of most of the musicians rest nonetheless with Democratic challenger John Kerry.
Among the Chicago artists performing during the Interchange Festival at the Hideout, Schubas, the Empty Bottle and Metro are art-rockers Tortoise, rappers Diverse and the Molemen, psychedelic-pop songwriter David Singer, orchestral pop/alternative country musician Andrew Bird, the avant-jazz combo the Vandermark 5 and garage-rockers the M's.
Contributing: Associated Press, Billboard
mailto:jderogatis@suntimes.com
>With a fervor that hasn't been witnessed since musicians in >the late '60s
Did this person sleep through the whole musician/Ethiopia thing?
>With a fervor that hasn't been witnessed since musicians in >the late '60s
Did this person sleep through the whole musician/Ethiopia thing?
I can see why they aren't. All the ones mentioned that I've heard of are known ultra-leftists anyhow and most of the ones mentioned are groups I've never heard of.
So long Bruce, enjoy playing for all your friends in the Titanic's Fiesta Lounge.
Bunch of rat bastards, every single one of them. And I don't mean dimrat either.
Bush to Pigsteen and friends: "Take this cob and shove it!"
Springsteen is the guy who had the nerve to rhyme "growing up" and "throwing up."
Excellent.
I have to wonder a bit about that. I know there are some conservative rock and roll bands out there (although not very many). I also speculate that there would be many country stars willing to go on tour for Bush if the opportunity presented itself. So I wonder if the Bush campaign strategy is to hold back deliberately until later in the campaign season before putting together their own pro-Bush band tour.
Even the AOL polls are leaning strongly to Bush!!!
What do you think of the Vote for Change tour?
Can't they just stick to the music? 52%
It's good to see artists engaged politically 30%
They have a right to speak out, but part of it bugs me 18%
Do you think it will affect the election?
No 67%
Yes 33%
Total Votes: 190,793
Quotes from members (I picked the pro-Bush ones)
"Just play your music and shut your trap."
"I wasn't sure how I was going to vote, but with the media and Hollywood... now I find myself in sympathy for Bush."
"The Boss says, 'We're chipping in our two cents.' He can chip his two cents, but he won't get my $17.99 anymore."
AOL Straw Poll
Electoral votes Bush 391 Kerry 147
Popular vote Bush 53% Kerry 45% Nader 2%
Not only do the rockers make the news with this announcement, the media will have to report on it again when they hold the concerts. I suppose some cable network (HBO most likely) will record and rebroadcast the concerts as "specials".
That's three hits on American voters and the DNC doesn't have to pay a dime. Kerry can say it's "entertainment", not political speech, so the CFR rules don't apply.
It's sad when you have to say goodbye to good music because of the singer's political leanings. I was a fan of Fogarty since CCR, but no more.
I'm no fan of McCain-Feingold either, but I'm hoping some judge takes a hard line with these concerts. Here's an idea for you:
Add up the total gate receipts and calculate how much each singer is "donating" by the minute to the DNC cause.
"Okay Bruce, sing away, but after 2 1/2 minutes you can be busted for illegal campaign contributions."
"What, you already gave your limit in cash? Then you can't perform at all!"
Of course, their "two cents" is worth a lot more than Joe Voter -- these "artists" two cents buys millions of dollars worth in free publicity for the RATs.
He may not have Springsteen, but Bush has A-Rod behind him, and that's good enough for me!
I'll be watching gleefully as these commies ace themselves out of even more fans and money. I've never heard of fans asking for more political education in their concerts, it's like the entertainers are deaf to the wants of the fans. How many people have to come out and say "shut up and sing"?
At least we've got Ted and Alice.... who needs these other schmucks?
I remember a guy named Springsteen from about 40 years ago who yelled alot, but couldn't sing, and some Ditsy-Tricks who were doin' some 'unspeakable-things' in Europe a while ago (something about vegetable oil and a monkey or squirrel), but who-the-hell is REMPEARLJAM? That even sounds illegal!
And I thought Dave Matthews was some newsreader-guy on the DYING network.
I gotta get out more often, but first, I'll play some Ray Charles. I like real music...............FRegards
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