Survivor, Kim Davis At Odds Over Kentucky Clerk’s Use Of Band’s Song ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ For Jail Release Rally
When Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who was jailed for contempt of court after refusing to issue gay marriage licenses, was finally released from jail on Tuesday, a rally of her supporters — including presidential candidate Mike Huckabee — awaited her. As Davis took the stage amid paper crosses flapping in the wind, the song “Eye of the Tiger” by 80s band Survivor began to play.
The use of their song in support of Kim Davis at her rally did not go unnoticed by Survivor. The band’s frontman, Frankie Sullivan, took to Facebook to express not only his outrage at Davis’ use of the song, but also to point out that neither he, nor anyone else in Survivor, granted the use of their song for the very public, very politically charged rally for Davis’ release from jail, says ABC News.
“NO! We did not grant Kim Davis any rights to use ‘My Tune — The Eye Of The Tiger.’ I would not grant her the rights to use Charmin! C’mom Mike, you are not The Donald but you can do better than that – See Ya really SoooooooonnnnnnN!!!!!!”
Jim Peterik, Survivor’s co-founder, also chimed in on the use of “Eye of the Tiger” for the Kim Davis get-out-of-jail-free rally, using the social media platform Twitter to show his anger.
I have not authorized the use of Eye of the Tiger for use by Kim Davis and my publisher will issue a C&D. This does not reflect my views.
— Jim Peterik (@jimpeterik) September 9, 2015
Peterik didn’t just stop at Twitter to express his dismay. In a statement released by Billboard Magazine, the co-writer of Survivor’s hit, illegally used by Davis, said the original intent of the song was misused by Davis and company, and does not support his views.
“I was very surprised and dismayed at the misuse of the song I co-wrote with Frankie Sullivan for Rocky III. The song has motivated thousands through the years to reach beyond their limits. Its use for the release of Kim Davis does not support my views or my politics. I have contacted my publishers to make sure this usage is stopped immediately.”
Unfortunately, what was written as a motivational song, as Peterik said, was used to motivate a crowd who shouldn’t have been surprised to see Davis’ release rally turn into a political platform where Mike Huckabee took every opportunity to capitalize on Kim Davis’ exploding popularity, as well as her recent jail stint, with the anti-gay marriage crowd, per Time Magazine.
“If you have to put someone in jail, I volunteer to go. Let me go. Lock me up if you think that’s how freedom is best served. Because folks, I am willing to spend the next eight years in the White House leading in this country. But I want you to know I’m willing to spend the next eight years in jail, but I’m not willing to spend the next years in tyranny under people who think they can take our freedom and conscience away.”
Should Kim Davis be held responsible for the use of Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger” at her release party?
[Image Credit: Ty Wright / Getty Images]
