K’Naan, one of my favorite singers, is not happy with Mitt Romney. After the Republican hopeful used K’Naan’s international hit, “Waving  Flag,” to celebrate his Florida primary win, K’Naan issued this statement:

A&M/Octone recording artist K’NAAN was dismayed to learn that his song “Waving Flag” was used by Mitt Romney in his speech last night following Florida’s Republican primary.

The artist was not aware that the song would be used by Romney and the campaign is not something K’NAAN endorses.

“I have not been asked for permission by Mitt Romney’s campaign for the use of my song. If I had been asked, I would certainly not have granted it. I would happily grant the Obama campaign use of my song without prejudice.”

K’NAAN is currently seeking legal action so that further use of the song by Romney’s campaign can be prevented.

It seems that Don Cornelius has committed suicide at age 75. I didn’t really know him, but saw him often at record industry gatherings. He was a little aloof, and in recent years he seemed more distant than ever. None of this matters. Here’s the story: Don Cornelius started “Soul Train” as the black “American Bandstand” in the 1970s. The theme music was performed by MFSB called “The Sound of Philadelphia,” which became a huge instrumental hit. “Soul Train” was often broadcast in the afternoons on Saturdays at odd times and on odd stations. It didn’t matter. What Don Cornelius did was incalculable. He brought black music to television when no one else would, or couldn’t.

This is not to say that “American Bandstand” didn’t do it, also. Dick Clark was color blind. But “Soul Train” was the “inside”– the groups we heard on WBLS in New York had faces on “Soul Train.” So what if they lip-synched? “Soul Train” was all about getting the music to the people. For a white kid in New York, this was the coolest. And not just Motown performers, whom were already assimilated. On “Soul Train” you got The Whispers, The Dells, Joe Tex, The Chi Lites, all the Philly International acts, Tavares, Tina Turner (with Ike, long before her “liberation”). The first episode– October 2, 1971– featured Gladys Knight and the Pips, Eddie Kendricks, the beloved Honey Cone (“Want Ads,” “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show”), and then came Al Green, Bill Withers, Jean Knight (“Mr. Big Stuff”), and the Chairmen of the Board (“Give Me Just a A Little More Time”) and so on. Al Wilson sang “Show and Tell,” but I can’t show it to you on YouTube because of some stupid copyright thing. Look for it.

Don Cornelius, a sharp dressed handsome man, was married in 1956 and had two sons. He remarried in 2001 to a woman whom he divorced in 2009. He told the judge had to get divorced fast because he was going to die. Did he suffer from chronic depression? Was it something else? I don’t know. I just know that I ower him a lot, and I’m only getting to thank him now, when it’s too late. He brought the Cashbox R&B charts alive for me, and inspired me to make my film, “Only the Strong Survive,” in 2002, when I sensed our time, his time, was coming to an end. Thanks for everything, Don. You’re in my Hall of Fame.]

UPDATE from Aretha Franklin: “It’s just so sad, stunning and downright shocking and a huge and momentous loss to the African-American community and the world at large.  Don Cornelius single handedly brought about a melding and unity of brother and sisterhood among young adults worldwide and globally with the unforgettable creation of Soul Train.”

Remember Mel Gibson’s movie, “How I Spent My Summer Vacation”? Two years ago (at least) he went to Mexico, relocated prisoners from a jail, upset everyone, and made this film that no one wanted to see. This was during “Edge of Darkness” tanking, the whole non stop scandal with girlfriend Oksana, the $500 million divorce, the anti Semitic stuff, and “The Beaver” embarrassing everyone. So now what do with “Vacation”? Apparently it’s been retitled–“Get the Gringo.” And according to reports in the the trades it’s going straight to Video on Demand on May 1st. This is because, let’s face it, no theater owner wants a Mel Gibson movie–not even “Lethal Weapon 5” or “The Beaver 2.” It’s a smart move for 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. They’ll charge $10.99 per viewing. Mel’s remaining audience can plunk down their dough. Gibson has relatively no future in regular movie releases. He still plans on making a movie about Judah and the Maccabbees–a Chanukah story told by an anti-Semite. Instead of real oil that lasted eight days, Mel’s movie will likely explain this was erotic oils used by women of the temple to keep their men aroused for a week or more at a time. Say hallelujah, somebody!

Sacre bleu! The #SAGAwards really upset the apple cart. Jean DuJardin beat both George Clooney and Brad Pitt for Best Actor, for “The Artist.” Viola Davis toppled Meryl Streep for “The Help” as Best Actress. And “The Help,” not “The Artist,” won Best Ensemble. But it was only yesterday that Michel Hazanavicius won the DGA’s Best Director Award for “The Artist.” So now what?

My guess: “The Artist” will win the Oscar. Here’s what happened: SAG is a union supporting local friends. “The Help” is their kind of movie. They gave acting awards to both Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer, who, really, are great. You feel great rewarding them for their work. So bravo.

But “The Help” is not a visionary film like “The Artist.” And Hazanavicius’s award adds heft to “The Artist” as Best Picture. DuJardin was a surprise tonight, but hey–he’s good. My money was always on Brad Pitt. But it’s possible he and George Clooney are crossing each other out. The next two weeks will be crucial as more voters see “The Artist.”

And what about Meryl Streep? “The Iron Lady” is significant work. It’s a landmark performance. It may be that the Academy will feel Davis has been recognized, and that Meryl is their queen. Either way, it’s a tight race.

For SAG, on the TV side, I don’t care so much. Many of these people come and go. But I am so personally happy for Steve Buscemi–he is the epitome of the good guy, the hard working actor, family man, good friend. Sometimes nice guys finish guys finish first.

On another note: Mary Tyler Moore is still the most gracious and most lovely. She has lost quite a bit of her sight because of diabetes, but she soldiered out there on stage and looked great. She’s an inspiration.

SAG Awards–nicely done. Congrats to Ken Howard for pulling off the AFTRA merger.