In fact, some got together recently to record a song titled “Don’t Use Our Song.” Most of the ones named above are especially upset about Donald Trump’s usage of their songs.
In addition to being a violation, a politician using a song could easily be taken as an endorsement.
At least former president George H.W. Bush had the courtesy — no, make that decency — to ask Bobby McFerrin if he could use “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” as a campaign slogan. McFerrin said no.
SOMETIMES it’s better to leave well enough alone. In April of 2013, the lavish “Motown: The Musical” opened on Broadway and ran for nine months (775 performances) and won a Tony Award. It was brought back July 12 and was scheduled to run through Nov. 13. However, this time the box office figures were unimpressive, resulting in the show closing on July 31.
Ava DuVernay directed Oprah Winfrey in the movie “Selma” and will be directing her again in a new film titled “A Wrinkle in Time.”
Ruth Pointer is obviously a believer in “the show must go on.” Anita Pointer is no longer able to tour for medical reasons and June Pointer passed away a while back. Today, Ruth works with her daughter, Issa, and her granddaughter, Sadako — as the Pointer Sisters. They are just as energetic as the original trio. Hard to believe that Ruth Pointer is 70 years old.
THERE IS a growing interest in the music and artists of the 90s, although it seems odd that the 90s would be considered nostalgia. Pepsi has put together a tour called “Summer of ’92” that kicks off in New York in August, featuring Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue, Biz Markie and Lisa Loeb.
That was chosen as the tour title because it was the year Pepsi launched Crystal Pepsi. The product only lasted one year because the vast majority of Pepsi drinkers didn’t like the idea of a clear cola.
Speaking of tours, Toni Braxton launches hers on Oct. 8, starting in Oakland and concluding Nov. 12 in Atlantic City. Detroit is included in the tour schedule — Oct. 12 at Sound Board at MotorCity Casino and Hotel.
Netflix is making a movie titled “Come Sunday,” focusing on the life and work of Evangelist Carlton Pearson. His massive ministry, unfortunately, took a major hit when he introduced his Gospel of Inclusion, which denied the concept of “hell,” encouraged acceptance of people who happen to be gay, people who are not Christians, etc.
BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW…that the classic soul ballad “Let It Be Me” by Jerry Butler and Betty Everett was originally recorded by the Everly Brothers.
MEMORIES: “Let’s Start the Dance” (Hamilton Bohannon), “Crazy” (the Boys), “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter” (Angela Bofill), “I Only Have Eyes For You” (the Flamingos), “Get It Together” (the Jackson 5), “Love Won’t Let Me Wait” (Major Harris), “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” (Daryl Hall & John Oates), “The Dance Electric” (André Cymone), “Try a Little Tenderness” (Otis Redding), “Let’s Hear It For The Boy” (Deniece Williams).
WORDS OF THE WEEK, from Jimi Hendrix: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”
Let the music play!