One thing that grates on my ears is hearing rock music classics used as sound-bite jingles for commercials. Is that how the younger generation will recognize, say, Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll,” as an anthem for Cadillac? Sad.
Here’s an interesting exception to the rule: Gravel-voiced singer Tom Waits, who has a policy of not doing commercials, recently turned down repeated offers to do an ad for General Motors, which proceeded to hired a soundalike and run the ads anyway in Europe.
Waits is now suing GM and the ad agency involved. “Apparently the highest compliment our culture grants artists nowadays is to be in an ad — ideally naked and purring on the hood of a new car. I have adamantly and repeatedly refused this dubious honor,” Waits said. “While the court can’t make me active in radio, I am asking it to make me radioactive to advertisers.”
Maybe there are a few rock stars who haven’t sold out entirely?
Posted by Randy Scholfield
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4 Comments
There is a wonderful rock breed that hasn’t sold out yet, Indie rock. Though not as popular as, say the Rolling Stones, they are true to their musical talent and rarely sell out to big corporations, sometimes even forsaking big record labels for that sole purpose. Viva la Indie Rock!
Tom Waits is now, and always has been, a class act. His music is awesome and his refusal to sell out reflects a pride for his genre sadly lacking in todays mega-stars. You rock, Tom.
Some of these old rockers need a paycheck!
Neil Young was way ahead of the times with…..THIS NOTE’S FOR YOU.