Neil Young didn’t like it Tuesday when he heard Donald Trump use one of his songs to announce his presidential candidacy. He had his manager, Elliot Roberts, issue a statement that put it succinctly:
Donald Trump’s use of “Rockin’ in the Free World” was not authorized. Mr. Young is a longtime supporter of Bernie Sanders.
By the way, all candidates should remember they have to clear usage of pop songs– the writer and the performer–before they use it on the campaign trail.
Back to Neil: His support of Bernie Sanders makes as much sense as anything else. Young is just about to release a new album that mostly attacks corporate America. It’s called “The Monsanto Years.” He takes issue with Monsanto, Starbucks, and Walmart. It’s a given that neither of the latter two retailers will be carrying the album.
But Young has never been shy about his politics. During George W. Bush’s time in office, Neil released a song called “Let’s Impeach the President.”
This past May, Neil posted this message on his website:Â “Contrary to the misleading information coming from Starbucks, the coffee company is in alliance with other Food Giants, including Monsanto, in suing the state of Vermont to overturn the GMO labeling laws voted for by the people.
An alliance is a pact, coalition or friendship between two or more parties, made in order to advance common goals and to
secure common interests. Starbucks and Monsanto are members of the Grocery Manufacturers Alliance.
The Grocery Manufacturers Alliance sued the state of Vermont to overturn the people’s will to
mandate GMO labeling in Vermont.
In communications with Starbucks the company was unresponsive to the direct question
on whether Starbuck’s coffee product contained GMOs.”
Neil Young
California
May, 2015 Â Contrary to the misleading information coming from Starbucks, the
