Should Musicians use their concerts for political speech?

[simeon]

Chalk one more up for the musicians shouldn't use their concerts for political speeches, i don't go to concerts to hear political speeches i go to listen to music. I don't go to concerts period, but if i would i would probably go to a Toby Keith Concert.

It's funny  you said that, last March I brought my wife to see Toby Keith in concert as she is a big fan of his. To this day I told her I didn't care for some of the stuff he said from stage, though I do agree with what he said. I thought is was in bad taste at the end of the concert he said,"Don't ever be ashamed to be patriotic if they don't like it F-Them(then he stuck up his middle finger to all those who oppose the war) I will never go see Toby again.

[Phishfan]

I think they have the right to say what they want, but they should be careful. After all entertainers don't always share the same political beliefs as their fans. As has been noted by a lot of people here, they risk losing some of their audience.

[simeon]

I think they have the right to say what they want, but they should be careful. After all entertainers don't always share the same political beliefs as their fans. As has been noted by a lot of people here, they risk losing some of their audience.

Dixie Chicks come to mind.

[CF DolFan]

I don't think you'll ever have to worry about KISS talking politics on stage.  Just a feelin'.  So no worries, attend away.

just for giggles ...

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005430/bio

Gene Simmons, in terms of political views, describes himself as neither Democrat nor Republican, but voting based on the issues. While he supports a woman's right to abortion, the environment and church/state separation, he supported Bush in 2004 because he agreed with Bush's foreign policy stands.


Hey  ... in the making of this post I discoved that both Dan Marino and Don Shula are Republicans which is exciting but was completelt reversed in the fact that so is Britney Spears and Bil Bellichick!!! UUGGGHHH!!!!  

Oh yes ... back to the topic.  I think they are OK to support a person but they usually come off looking stupid trying to speak for them.  Plus they usually lose fans from one side or the other so it's not always a wise chice to be so vocal.

[simeon]

just for giggles ...

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005430/bio

Gene Simmons, in terms of political views, describes himself as neither Democrat nor Republican, but voting based on the issues. While he supports a woman's right to abortion, the environment and church/state separation, he supported Bush in 2004 because he agreed with Bush's foreign policy stands.


Hey  ... in the making of this post I discoved that both Dan Marino and Don Shula are Republicans which is exciting but was completelt reversed in the fact that so is Britney Spears and Bil Bellichick!!! UUGGGHHH!!!!  

Gene is very political and patriotic though he wasn't born an American. I have seen them 9 times in concert and can't recall them making any political statements, they were busy talking about their favorite subject.

[MaineDolFan]

"Don't ever be ashamed to be patriotic if they don't like it F-Them(then he stuck up his middle finger to all those who oppose the war) I will never go see Toby again.

And, yet, Kiss is your "favorite band."  You know...of "Love Gun", "Lick It Up" and "Heaven's on Fire" fame.  Possibly some of the most massaganistic messages written in the 70's and 80's rock era came from Kiss.

Every time its the same
What follows me is my fame
You're what I need to play the game
You say you like to dance
Mmm, I think Ill take a chance
Ooh, baby, maybe its time for romance
Youre such a jewel in the rough
You wanna show me your stuff
For my money, you cant be too soon

Meet, meet you in the ladies room
Meet, meet you in the ladies room
For my money, you cant be too soon

"Ladies Room" - Kiss

Or nothing like courting underage girls...

Shes got me dizzy, she sees me through to the end
Shes got me in her hands and theres no use in pretending
Christine sixteen, christine sixteen

She drives me crazy, I want to give her all I've got
And shes hot every day and night, there is no doubt about it

Christine sixteen, christine sixteen

I don't usually say things like this to girls your age, but when I saw you
Coming out of the school that day, that day I knew, I knew, Ive got to have
You, Ive got to have you

"Christine Sixteen" - Kiss

Man - you're all over the place with your stances and beliefs, aren't you?  Maybe you should replace your John 3:16 quote with this lyrical Kiss gem:

"Feel my heat takin' you higher, burn with me, Heaven's on fire
Paint the sky with desire, angel fly, Heaven's on fire"

But Toby Keith better not flash that middle finger!   

For the record, Maine doesn't give a crap what anyone says on stage.  I have this thing called a personal filter.

[simeon]

And, yet, Kiss is your "favorite band."  You know...of "Love Gun", "Lick It Up" and "Heaven's on Fire" fame.  Possibly some of the most massaganistic messages written in the 70's and 80's rock era came from Kiss.

Every time its the same
What follows me is my fame
You're what I need to play the game
You say you like to dance
Mmm, I think Ill take a chance
Ooh, baby, maybe its time for romance
Youre such a jewel in the rough
You wanna show me your stuff
For my money, you cant be too soon

Meet, meet you in the ladies room
Meet, meet you in the ladies room
For my money, you cant be too soon

"Ladies Room" - Kiss

Or nothing like courting underage girls...

Shes got me dizzy, she sees me through to the end
Shes got me in her hands and theres no use in pretending
Christine sixteen, christine sixteen

She drives me crazy, I want to give her all I've got
And shes hot every day and night, there is no doubt about it

Christine sixteen, christine sixteen

I don't usually say things like this to girls your age, but when I saw you
Coming out of the school that day, that day I knew, I knew, Ive got to have
You, Ive got to have you

"Christine Sixteen" - Kiss

Man - you're all over the place with your stances and beliefs, aren't you?  Maybe you should replace your John 3:16 quote with this lyrical Kiss gem:

"Feel my heat takin' you higher, burn with me, Heaven's on fire
Paint the sky with desire, angel fly, Heaven's on fire"

But Toby Keith better not flash that middle finger!   

For the record, Maine doesn't give a crap what anyone says on stage.  I have this thing called a personal filter.

Kiss was all about sex and sometimes liquor though they the group has a pretty strict policy on drinking. And for the record I could careless about Madonna either, you can go see her or not, just like you can switch the tv channel if you don't like the fox channel.
It was nice to see that you actually answered the question of the thread this time around.
By the way Toby wasn't flashing that finger at me because I support the war, I thought it was wrong to do it to those he doesn't agree with.

[Sunstroke]

I don't have any problem with a musician wanting to get his politics across to his audience.

...and the musician shouldn't have any problem with a slight reduction in ticket sales when people who don't want to hear their politics stop buying their concert tickets.

[MaineDolFan]

By the way Toby wasn't flashing that finger at me because I support the war, I thought it was wrong to do it to those he doesn't agree with.

I understand Toby's stance on the whole thing - just merely pointing out that it's a little odd to get bent out of shape over the middle finger while completely looking past the spitting blood and lyrics of songs like "Domino."

For the record, I actually like Toby and Kiss.  Older stuff for both, please..."Blue Moon" doesn't have an equal and Kiss jumped the shark in the 70's...but both are fun.

[Defense54]

Last I checked, performers are allowed to say what they want. They're not running for office, nor are their husbands.

And honestly, would you ever go to a Madonna concert? Why does this matter to you?

I bet if she was for McCain you would give a shit . No one said they Couldn't, But should they? Personally as an ex Pro Musician and currently just a hobbyist weekend warrior I gotta say no. I LOVE Bruce and his music but I can't stand the rants he gives. Time to go take a piss when he starts that crap. I paid $100+ to hear your music so STFU and play dammit.

[BoSoxGrl]

I went to see George Michael in concert about 2 months ago (hey, when one of your best friends is gay, it comes with the territory) but it was a perfect concert.  He played all of his hits, called bush an idiot and thanked all of the straight men for being there because their GF/wives made them go.  He was very entertaining (minus the scandals) and wished us all luck with our new president...whoever he is.  It was just teh right amount of politics...when I go to a concert I expect to hear music, not to start a debate and/lose repect for who I am going to see.

[Buddhagirl]

I bet if she was for McCain you would give a shit . No one said they Couldn't, But should they? Personally as an ex Pro Musician and currently just a hobbyist weekend warrior I gotta say no. I LOVE Bruce and his music but I can't stand the rants he gives. Time to go take a piss when he starts that crap. I paid $100+ to hear your music so STFU and play dammit.

Aren't you a minister?  The whole "give a shit" thing is a bit much for man of the cloth, no? Very harsh language for someone that is supposed to be a minister. I would think you wouldn't even listen to Madonna. The last few concerts I went to, there were religious peeps protesting.

Anyway, I honestly don't care. Just as they have the right to say what they want, I have the right to not listen to them or buy their music. Period.

[simeon]

Aren't you a minister?  The whole "give a shit" thing is a bit much for man of the cloth, no? Very harsh language for someone that is supposed to be a minister. I would think you wouldn't even listen to Madonna. The last few concerts I went to, there were religious peeps protesting.

Anyway, I honestly don't care. Just as they have the right to say what they want, I have the right to not listen to them or buy their music. Period.

I think you are misunderstanding defense is not a minister he is a police officer, I am and I didn't say that to you. I have seen religious protesters at the Kiss concerts too, they have the right to be there.

[Buddhagirl]

I think you are misunderstanding defense is not a minister he is a police officer, I am and I didn't say that to you. I have seen religious protesters at the Kiss concerts too, they have the right to be there.

My apologies. I thougt it was you.
To Defense...I still don't care.

[simeon]

My apologies. I thougt it was you.
To Defense...I still don't care.

Appologies accepted.