Steven Tyler To Donald Trump: Stop Using Aerosmith Song Or We’ll Sue
Steven Tyler, Aerosmith frontman, has some fighting words for Donald Trump, presidential hopeful. In a sternly worded cease and desist letter, Steven Tyler is demanding that the Donald Trump campaign stop using the “Dream On” by Aerosmith at their campaign stops, Gossip Cop reports.
Tyler’s lawyers have stated that the unapproved use of the song by Donald Trump implies that Steven Tyler is associated with the real estate mogul’s bid to become president.
“It gives the false impression that he is connected with or endorses Mr. Trump’s presidential bid,” the cease and desist letter says.
According to Gossip Cop, Trump first used the song at a campaign stop in Mobile Alabama at the at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Steven Tyler’s legal team ssays that the Donald Trump camp was sent a letter to stop using the song the week after that event.
But it’s obvious that the request was not listened to because they continued to use the song, which prompted Tyler’s lawyers to send the cease and desist letter. Now that the legal letter has been issued, Donald Trump could be sued if he and his team continue to use the song.
“If Trump for President does not comply with our demands, our client will be forced to pursue any and all legal or equitable remedies which our client may have against you,” the letter says.
According to Fortune Magazine, both Steven Tyler and Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry are registered Republicans.
The Washington Post reports that Steven Tyler attended the GOP debate in August with Donald Trump as Trump’s guest. Dina Polt, a lawyer on Steven Tyler’s team has said that the cease and desist letter is not a “personal and political” issue but is more about copyright permission.
According to Fortune Magazine, this is this the third time that musicians have stepped up to the Donald Trump campaign to tell them to stop using their music.
First REM and now Aerosmith. Great bands that are not amused by @realDonaldTrump. Trump is so NOT rock ‘n roll. http://t.co/ZtfT2Y3aFt
— Brooke Hammerling (@brooke) October 11, 2015
When Donald Trump made his presidential announcement, he used Neil Young’s “Rocking the Free World,” as the soundtrack for his entrance down the escalator. The message of the song doesn’t really gel with Donald Trump’s politics and Neil Young requested that the Trump campaign stop using the song. Neil Young also openly pledged his support for Bernie Sanders, a Democratic presidential hopeful.
Donald Trump and his campaign have also used REM’s song “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It And I Feel Fine.” The band issued a statement they posted on their Facebook page where they expressed disapproval about the song’s use on the Trump campaign. They also warned the public about the schemes of “grandstanding politicians.”
“While we do not authorize or condone the use of our music at this political event, and do ask that these candidates cease and desist from doing so, let us remember that there are things of greater importance at stake here,” the statment read.
“The media and the American voter should focus on the bigger picture, and not allow grandstanding politicians to distract us from the pressing issues of the day and of the current Presidential campaign.”
But Steven Tyler doesn’t seem to have a political issue with Donald Trump, though. His legal team is really insisting that it’s a copyright issue because Tyler wrote the song and The Trump campaign did not get his approval to use it.
“Steven works tirelessly with both Republicans and Democrats regarding copyright reform and his position has always been consistent regarding copyright and intellectual property,” Dina Polt, Steven’s lawyer said.
“Simply, one must get permission from the music creators. Steven wrote 100% of ‘Dream On,’ and this is about the un-authorized use of his property.”
So far, there has been no comment from Donald Trump and his campaign.
[Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images]