Don Henley of The Eagles Sues Over Political Parodies

My Fox Orlando ^ | 4-20-2009

[My Favorite Headache]

MYFOX NATIONAL) - TMZ reports that Eagles frontman Don Henley is suing a Republican Senate candidate in California for copyright infringement for creating online videos that parody two of Henley's songs, "The Boys of Summer" and "All She Wants to Do Is Dance." State Assembleyman Charles DeVore says the parodies are protected under the First Amendment.

DeVore's parody lyrics attack President Barack Obama and California Senator Barbara Boxer. YouTube initially removed the videos from their site at Henley's request, then added them back at DeVore's and told Henley they would only take them down again if he filed a lawsuit. DeVore also posted the videos on Facebook and other sites.

Part of the lawsuit says, "Henley and ["Boys of Summer" co-writer Mike] Campbell did not, and would not, authorize the use of their song for this purpose," the Contra Costa Times reports . "Viewers might also conclude that Henley and Campbell are political supporters of DeVore, which they are not."

According to CNet , DeVore plans to respond with a counter-claim "asserting our First Amendment right to political free speech." On his Web site, Devore wrote , "That Henley has contributed some $750,000 to Democrats and liberal causes over the years, including $10,000 to Barack Obama and $9,000 to Sen. Barbara Boxer, adds authenticity to the political nature of my ditties. .... Henley’s lawsuit shows he’s good at dishing it out, but not so good at taking it."

[Rastus]

You probably know about this, but it may be of interest to you.

[Deb]

I wonder if he ever considers the fact that if Linda Ronstad hadn’t been their lead singer, the Stone Ponies would have died the death of the one-hit-wonders and there would be no Eagles.

[Repealthe17thAmendment]

I think "The Dude" said it best:

"I hate the F***ing Eagles, man."

[Deb]

Love it!

[vetvetdoug]

Earle and I have a lot in common except for the politics. Both of us were around the music scene around San Antonio circa 1966-68. Later in the middle 1970’s Earle went to Nashville and I went to Knoxville. I had a stint in the USAF prior to 1977 and went on to UT for another life. Earle hit it big songwriting. I follow his show and catch him from time to time referring to things we both saw during the 60’s around San Antonio. I think I caught him in a “story” when he said he went to see Hendrix in San Antonio...he was the same age I was and Hendrix’ first album hadn't been released...Hendrix opened for the Monkees. I think Earle was there as a bunch of other 15 year olds were...to see the Monkees and we got introduced to Hendrix. The driving age in Texas then was 14 and we drove from Del Rio to San Antonio to see the Monkees...

[doug from upland]

I WONDER IF DON WOULD ENJOY THIS ONE

Skip to comments.(reprise) DFU SONG: End of the Innocence (Clinton and 9/11 - end of the legacy)
DFU News of the Day in Song ^ | 9-10-08 | Lyrics, Doug from Upland

Posted on 09/10/2008 9:54:40 PM PDT by doug from upland

Skip to comments.

(reprise) DFU SONG: End of the Innocence (end of the legacy...blame Clinton for 9/11)

DFU SONG PARODIES | 2001 | Lyrics, Doug from Upland

Posted on 03/24/2004 9:45:53 PM PST by doug from upland

MIDI - END OF THE INNOCENCE

For several years they sang his song…he was a hero to their cause
In denial many lived…he placed himself up above the laws
He knew all of the right things to say…down through…hell and then back believers would go
In eight long years he's done to us…more damage than you know

For his neglect we would finally pay the price…the count's three thousand dead
We know just where to place the blame…it is on Bill Clinton's head
When the Cole was hit and brave men died…there is no doubt that he hadn't cried
He looked at his polls and sighed
Now this is the end…this is the end…of his legacy

At OKC he saw his chance…he needed to divide us all
He would create the vast right wing…and his mind-numbed fools would pick up the ball
So we'd fight among ourselves…and the…grand scheme had worked, he got his way
With our attention diverted he…would gut the CIA

For his neglect we would pay the price…the count's three thousand dead
We know just where to place the blame…it is on Bill Clinton's head
When the Cole was hit and brave men died…there is no doubt that he hadn't cried
He looked at his polls and sighed
Now this is the end…this is the end…of his legacy

We endured a psychopath…who saw himself as the Rockstar Prez
We had sent the warnings out…watch what this man does, not what he says

For neglect we paid the price…when those great buildings fell with many dead
And we know just where to place the blame…it's on Bill Clinton's head
When the Cole was hit and brave men died…there is no doubt that he hadn't cried
He looked at his polls and sighed
Now this is the end…this is the end…of his legacy

[LucyJo]

I think he and Rondstadt are friends, and share similar political views.

Remember Linda got booed at her concerts in 2004 for dedicating songs to Michael Moore (called him a patriot - ha.) and Henley got booed for talking about his friend Linda Rondstadt and his political views.

She also raised more than a few hackles by saying that she didn’t want to sing for Republicans and Christians (I think it was), and that she would rather not know if they were in her audiences.

Despite it all, Rondstadt is one of the few lefties for whom I’ll ignore misguided philosophy to enjoy her music...same for The Eagles as a group. I can ignore their politics and continue to enjoy the music - unless it becomes such an issue that I have to take a break from them until their focus returns to their music rather than politics.

[Deb]

I didn’t want to get into all their politics and those old stories. I love them too. I was a young DJ in the late 70s and I got yelled at for ignoring my play sheet and running solid hours of the Eagles and Ronstad.

[LucyJo]

I would’ve tuned you in and listened to every hour. Ha.

[Rastus]

I like the Eagles and a lot of Henley’s solo stuff in spite of hating his politics. I wouldn’t buy the latest Eagles album, though, since they got political in the lyrics. Without Felder, I don’t much care anyway.

[LucyJo]

Same here.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2008/04/27/2008-04-27_eagle_don_felder_has_landed.html

I haven’t read Don Felder’s book yet, but it’s on my list to read.

[Class2001]

Mr. Don Henley had NO RIGHT my friend to INSULT anyone! My goodness, what is this world is coming to!

[Class2001]

Thank you for opening my eyes and ears on satire and parody works. However, would this be considered FAIR USE?

[TADSLOS]

Another hollyweird crybaby thumbsucker having a temper tantrum. Go wipe your nose at F.A.G., Don.

[Class2001]

Thank you for this statement, and have a nice day friend.

[blam]

BFL

[Richard Kimball]

And Weird Al. And Family Guy. And South Park. And Saturday Night Live. And Bugs Bunny. And Mad Magazine. And the people who make the “Scary Movie”, “Epic Movie” movies.

[Class2001]

Sigh my friend, I wanted Coldplay to win the Grammy. After all, maybe I'm sure they do understand the Copyright law.

[Sloth]

If this suit succeeded (& I doubt it) guys like Weird Al Yankovick would be out of business!

Actually, Weird Al gets permission from the original artist for every parody he does. But he does it to maintain good relations in the industry & to avoid unnecessarily pissing off the big studios, not because of any legal liability.