McCain uses “Right Now” without permission
Van Halen to McCain: No You Can’t
Posted Aug 29th 2008 3:00PM by TMZ.com
John McCain used a Van Halen song during his big speech earlier today and the band wants to make to make one thing clear — they’re not running with McCain.
Van Halen management tells us the band had no idea McCain was planning on using “Right Now” during his big entrance in Ohio telling us, “Permission was not sought or granted nor would it have been given.”
For the record, Dubya used the same song during a bunch of his campaign speeches back in 2004, but sources close to the band tell us, “They’re not political, they’re just rock and roll.”
Van Halen’s “Right Now” video:
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August 29th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
Let’s see…in 04 they didn’t care if a Sammy tune was used….now they do…..Jeez, I didn’t see that coming.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
As a lifelong Van Halen Fan (actually 26 years-since age 11), I say “who cares ?” It was the best part of the speech. Van Halen should be Thankful I spent $150 for a ticket 11/1/07 to see them perform with such crappy sound & so far away from the stage. Never Again !! 1991= Front row for $23.50
August 29th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Come on guys. If your not political then whats the difference. It is a very inspirational song and very appropriate, I might add. How about finance. Do you support higher taxes on the rich?
August 29th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
In 04 John Kerry used Dreams right after his speech. It was looped for like 12 minutes.
August 29th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
When McCain introduced Sarah Palin as his running mate they should have used “Running With The Devil” as the entrance song!
August 29th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
yup…another slam at Sammy…who is an artist, a musician, a visionary, a businessman and someone who actually cared about showing up at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony for the fans…
and, aren’t they being political by issuing a statement?
August 29th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Ed also knows that Sam is a Republican donor (Bush/Cheney, Dana Rohrabacher) and he’s just firing another shot across his bow.
August 29th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Common Dave…..givem a break.
They should be happy that everyone wants to hear the REAL VH with Sammy……and Mike
August 29th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Has anyone considered that Sammy and Mike did not want it used by McCain either? Besides, the McCain camp did not have the courtesy to contact the band and ask permission to use the song for his campaign. Making it out to be an Ed vs. Sam thing is preposterous. Getting mad at VH for not letting McCain use their music for political purposes without permission is completely idiotic. Whether you support him or not, I think the band did the right thing by not letting McCain get away with using VH music for his message without notifying the band.
August 29th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Yeah McCain should have asked. At least we know he digs Halen. Obama would have had Ludicris playing. McCain should have gotten some Dio though man. What was that song? “We Rock!” That would be a photo op…McCain and Palin in the back with Dio right under them where all you can see is Dio’s nose up. LOL.
August 29th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Sarah Palin’s newborn son with down syndrome is named after Van Halen! Read this article. It says “Trig Paxson Van Palin (an homage to the rock band Van Halen) was born in April.”
http://news.wired.com/dynamic/stories/C/CVN_VEEPSTAKES_PALIN?SITE=WIRE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
August 29th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
More about Sarah Palin naming her son after Van Halen:
“We’ve always liked the middle name Van because, you know, growing up in the ’80s, Van Palin would be a really cool name,” Palin joked to a Daily News reporter earlier this year in a reference to the rock band Van Halen.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
John Kerry and Edwards played “Dreams” at the DNC in ‘04, I doubt they had permission either.
August 30th, 2008 at 5:36 am
Its funny that “Right Now” is the problem, considering Van Halen was sued by a Chicago band for stealing this song. The song’s writer claimed he gave Eddie the demo tape at a NAMM show. Van Halen settled out of court, but violated the agreement when they let Pepsi use the song.
I know many of you will contest this information, but its totally true.
August 30th, 2008 at 5:58 am
***Ed also knows that Sam is a Republican donor (Bush/Cheney, Dana Rohrabacher) and he’s just firing another shot across his bow.****
I recall that when Gary was with the band, Ed went on & on about how much like ‘brothers’ they were & how they agreed on all sorts of philosophies, *politics*, and the like. Well, I know for a fact that Gary is a pro-life Libertarian (he hasn’t tried to hide it) & so it stands to reason that he’d be leaning either in the direction of McCain or Barr. So, I can connect the dots further & suggest that Eddie likely isn’t a flaming left-winger (yes, this is completely an assumption & I could be wrong) who’d be striking against Sam via politics, since they’re probably more in synch politically than they are personally. Again, complete guesses. Based on evidence, though, but just guesses.
Personally, I think if a VP candidate names a kid after you & they aren’t going to incorporate your song into the official campaign, it’s kinda cool if they choose your music for such a big announcement. I think it’d have been cool had they played it during the intro of Biden (and I recalled the use of Dreams in ‘04, as well. I can see Al Gore listening to Van Halen as soon as I see John McCain listening to Rage against the Machine). I mean, it’s not like there’s been a lot of airplay of VH, lately. Ahem.
August 30th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
McCain and Palin used the “Right Now” song AGAIN today while campaining on the road. I guess they didnt get stopped from using it.
August 30th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I think VH needs to learn when to speak and when to shut up. Nothing about this situation can possibly help them. Perhaps the publicist should spend more time concentrating on being Ed’s squeeze. In any event, based on the comments I’ve read so far, this is a really stupid PR move. If they are not “POLITICAL” they shouldnt have gotten involved, because they ARE political now. I still love em’ just the same though.
August 30th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
RIGHT NOW IDIOTS CONTINUE TO ARGUE OVER SAM OR DAVE.
It’s not political my friends, it is a blessing. To have lost VH and not here gods gift to the guitar from 1984 to 2007 would have been devastating. Yea, the best case senerio would have been to have the crew extinguish their additudes and addictions back then and stay together, but RIGHT THEN that didn’t happen, Okay!!!!! What to do, Hummmmmm, take a shot with this red head, YES. And look what became of it, Sammy and Eddie are united in VH just as David and Eddie are. The point being, The name of the band is VAN HALEN, and that didn’t come from Karate kicks or fine tequila. The bands name is VAN HALEN!! Eddie can do whatever he wants with it, right or wrong, we go to see him. If he dosn’t want either of the presidential front runners using HIS music, then don’t. Bottom line, 6 man band!! ED, ALEX, Wolf, MIKE, SAMMY, DAVE. Make that happen, that to me would be world peace.
August 31st, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Yeah! Put ALL the band members on stage. Sing their respective songs . Then after that, put on the gloves and let them all (Including Wolfgang and Valerie) duke it out on stage. My money is on Valerie. She looks like she’s in good shape and could whoop some ass! Feisty Italians. LOL! I like all the members. Present and former. That whole band is freekin’ talented.
August 31st, 2008 at 4:20 pm
So did they buy the rights to use the song, because I’m pretty sure that is all that matters.
My guess is the band doesn’t own the rights to the song, the label does. Most bands have no say how recorded versions of their songs are played.
September 1st, 2008 at 6:19 am
The December 10-24, 1992 issue of Rolling Stone ran a picture of Eddie and Valerie at a Clinton rally (page 98 - I just happened to have skimmed that issue again recently). She looks engrossed in listening to a speaker - he’s wearing torn jeans and smiling for the photographer. They were sitting right behind James Woods.
That certainly doesn’t mean Eddie’s in the bag for the Democrats these days, or even that he was then, but it may give an idea how he’s inclined to vote. I have a feeling that if Obama had played a VH track, there would have been no objection.
September 1st, 2008 at 10:54 am
I’m absolutely speechless after reading comments on this topic and the other one about Palin being a VH fan!
How can you be a VH fan and be right wing??? Van Halen: party lifestyle, including hard drugs, sex with a LOT of women, and a general message of freedom.
Right wingers hate drugs,they declared war on them, they don’t like people with sexual lifestyles that don’t fit the traditional model, and they are the one taking away your rights since 9/11. Talk about freedom. Internet spying, tapped lines… wow.
And still I read comments here of people who hate Clinton and Obama?? Clinton had sex in the oval office! COOL! Dave would have done the same!!!! He smoked pot? Eddie snored for many years!!!! COME ON GUYS!
You can hate drugs and sex, but then, how can you love VH?
Become a Ted Nugent fan instead!! He’s sober, and faithful to his wife. At least he is constant and follows his ideas. I don’t think like him AT ALL on political topics, but at least, if you’re right wing, you can relate to him.
No honestly, I really think something’s wrong here.
Can someone explain?
September 1st, 2008 at 12:20 pm
I can explain, Do you think Ed Sam or David Really care? We are the papparazzi feeding into the BS. It’s labor day, go fire up some WACF with a 5150 back up, drink 20 beers and like Ed sam and Dave, you will find yourself not playing into this shit. In other words, They couldn’t care less, nor do I.
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:23 am
If you are looking to Van Halen songs(lyrically) as a road map on how to live your life you are a loser. Sorry.
Its not about the fact that most VH songs glamorize sex and drugs….its about the fact that its a bad-ass band, period.
“How can you be a Van Halen fan and be right wing”??? Is a ludicrous statement.
Just as a guess…I would venture that most die-hard VH fans are moderate to relatively conservative. Not that it matters though.
September 2nd, 2008 at 12:13 pm
“How can you be a VH fan and be right wing”
—————
Easy, don’t be a failure in a capitalistic society & you can afford to purchase the music that you like.
“Clinton had sex in the oval office! COOL!”
Yes, the entire nation was quite proud of that illustrious moment.
Love the “hate sex” part, btw. Every righty I bump into is always complaining about sex & how much they hate it. I bet they kick puppies, too.
Talk about shooting fish in a freaking barrel. Stick to discussing music & leave the politics to the adults, okay?
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:06 pm
The VH brothers should be happy “Right Now” was used in this way, nothing but good could come from it! Eddie and Alex really need to do two things, one chill out and two please, please as a lifelong Van Halen fan bring Michale Anthony back!
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Sammy Hagar most likely game permission. All they need is one.
September 6th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Van Halen should be proud and flattered that millions of people
heard their song that night. McCain just gave them a huge amount of free publicity. And Palin as well, saying she’s a fan. Hello, is anyone home?
September 8th, 2008 at 7:50 am
The VH brothers had no problem receiving $1 million for the use of Right Now for a Crystal Pepsi commercial back in the 90s.