Boston's Tom Scholz to Huckabee: "I've been ripped off, dude!"

Gentle Giant · February-15th-2008, 11:25 AM

I'm betting we could come up with good campaign themes for al the candidates.

Founder of '70s rock band tells Huckabee to quit playing his song
By AP | February 15, 2008

CONCORD, N.H. --The chief songwriter and founder of the band Boston has more than a feeling that he's being ripped off by Mike Huckabee.

In a letter to the Republican presidential hopeful, Tom Scholz complains that Huckabee is using his 1970s smash hit song "More Than a Feeling" without his permission. A former member of the band, Barry Goudreau, has appeared with Huckabee at campaign events, and they have played the song with Huckabee's band, Capitol Offense.

Scholz, who said Goudreau left the band more than 25 years ago after a three-year stint, objects to the implication that the band and one of its members has endorsed Huckabee's candidacy.

"Boston has never endorsed a political candidate, and will all due respect, would not start by endorsing a candidate who is the polar opposite of most everything Boston stands for," wrote Scholz, adding that he is supporting Democratic Sen. Barack Obama. "By using my song, and my band's name Boston, you have taken something of mine and used it to promote ideas to which I am opposed. In other words, I think I've been ripped off, dude!"

Fred Bramante, who was chairman of Huckabee's New Hampshire campaign, called the allegations ridiculous. He said he attended dozens of Huckabee rallies in New Hampshire and other states and never heard Huckabee play "More Than a Feeling," other than when Goudreau campaigned with him in Iowa in October.

"Governor Huckabee plays 'Sweet Home Alabama.' Does that mean Lynard Skynard is endorsing him? He plays 'Louie Louie.' Does that mean The Kingsmen are endorsing him? To me, it's ridiculous," he said. "Never once has he said, 'The band Boston endorses me.' "

Tensions between Scholz and some of the early band members date from the early 1980s, when CBS Inc. sued the band over delays in recording new albums. The company's Epic Records label recorded the band's first two releases: "Boston," in 1976, and "Don't Look Back," in 1978.

Scholz -- who wrote, engineered, and laid down nearly all the instrumental tracks on the first album -- countersued for the rights to the band's name and music. Three members of the original band, including Goudreau, testified for the record company, which lost.

In his letter, Scholz referred to Huckabee as the "straight talk candidate," but that label more often is applied to Sen. John McCain, who has had his own troubles when it comes to his musical playlist. Last week, McCain's campaign agreed to stop playing John Mellencamp's songs "Our Country" and "Pink Houses" at his rallies after the liberal rocker complained.

Mellencamp had supported Democrat John Edwards, who recently dropped out of the race.

Other candidates have had better luck selecting songs. Celine Dion said she was "thrilled" that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton used her song, "You and I" as her official campaign anthem. Obama frequently blares U2's "City of Blinding Lights" at his events.

Jeffrey Wozniak · February-15th-2008, 01:33 PM

It's the most publicity the guy has gotten in over 20 years. What's his beef? Is he afraid of possibly selling a few albums? Not that the first Boston album is a big seller in 2008.

Gary Sisco · February-15th-2008, 02:02 PM

I don't remember Fleetwood Mac complaining back in Male Clinton time.

Scott Dolan · February-15th-2008, 02:11 PM

Dumb

Gary Sisco · February-15th-2008, 02:14 PM

If I'd recorded that song I'd not want to call attention to it.

Scott Dolan · February-15th-2008, 02:17 PM

Good point.

And now's their chance. A whole generation of folk would now associate it with Huckadoo. Therefore blunting the pain...

Gentle Giant · February-15th-2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffrey Wozniak

It's the most publicity the guy has gotten in over 20 years. What's his beef? Is he afraid of possibly selling a few albums? Not that the first Boston album is a big seller in 2008.

Not true, his name came up last year when Brad Delp offed himself.

Gentle Giant · February-15th-2008, 03:56 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZAgT8KOLF8

Gary Sisco · February-16th-2008, 09:47 AM

That's one of many 70s bad musical moments that should have long ago been forgotten. Better still if it had never happened.

Another reason not to vote for Huckabee. Bad taste.

Gordon B · February-17th-2008, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Sisco

That's one of many 70s bad musical moments that should have long ago been forgotten. Better still if it had never happened.

Another reason not to vote for Huckabee. Bad taste.

Scratch off Clinton. Her husband is a huge Kenny Gorelick fan and had him play in the White House.

me wag · February-17th-2008, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

"By using my song, and my band's name Boston, you have taken something of mine and used it to promote ideas to which I am opposed.

That's pretty surprising to hear from a guy who chose to associate his crappy band with the whole city of Boston in the first place. If I was from Boston, I would be pissed to have his band associated with my city.

Gary Sisco · February-17th-2008, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon B

Scratch off Clinton. Her husband is a huge Kenny Gorelick fan and had him play in the White House.

Now that's an impeachable offense. Certainly a high crime.

Not that I thought they'd have much better taste.

And don't start with the Clinto the jazz guy, either, folks. No jazz guy would book He Who Shall Not Be Named to perform anywhere, never mind the White House.

Man, that's worse than the cigar story. A lot worse. Certainly worse than lying about a blowjob. I don't know anyone who hasn't done that...

Monte Smith · February-17th-2008, 06:36 PM

I just want to know why U2 became the official music of the political class. I remember walto's dude in 2004, forget his name, the old senator, not Dodd, similar crap act, Graham! from Florida used "Where the Streets Have No Name" to launch his candidacy and tripped on the stairs, rendering the anthem memorable. "Where the Stairs Have No Bannister."

But now, Christ! Every pol in every party has to send the balloons cascading down to "Beautiful Day" or something. Watch both conventions: Bono's blandly warm, inspiring (?) lyrics will hold forth with the Edge's blandly anthemic, rockish (?) guitar. It's music's answer to funny hats and tricolor confetti.