Music is a huge part of American Presidential campaigns. The candidates try to appeal to the mass of voters by using popular, moving, inspirational music.
Sometimes that’s a really good idea. Senator Bernie Sanders used Simon and Garfunkel’s song “America” very effectively in his primary campaign. Bill Clinton touched a nerve in 1992 with his use of the song “Don’t Stop (Thinking About Tomorrow)” by Fleetwood Mac.
Sometimes, though, the musicians involved are not so happy to be used by the presidential candidates. I remember when Bruce Springsteen told Ronald Reagan, back in 1984, not to use “Born in the USA” in his campaign events.
Donald Trump wants to portray himself as a real music lover. He has been using all kinds of songs at his various rallies. He just keeps forgetting to ask for permission to use those songs.
So far, Trump has been told to stop using the music of the Rolling Stones, Adele, Twisted Sister, Neil Young, Steven Tyler, and R.E.M. Each of these rock stars and bands has said that they do not want to be perceived as supporting the Republican candidate. Each has told him that he needs to stop using their music.
Now it seems that even classical musicians are backing away from Trump and his hateful positions.
Yahoo reports that the family of renowned tenor Luciano Pavarotti is telling the Trump campaign that they need to stop using his most famous aria, “Nessun Dorma,” in his rallies.
The family of the famous Italian opera star said:
“As members of his immediate family, we would like to recall that the values of brotherhood and solidarity which Luciano Pavarotti expressed throughout the course of his artistic career are entirely incompatible with the world view offered by the candidate Donald Trump.”
Like so many other creative people, the Pavarotti family has been uncomfortable with Trump’s racist, narrow minded, misogynistic positions. They do not want their family name tied to his horrific campaign, and they have spoken out loudly and clearly to stop him from using the beautiful voice of Luciano to sell his vicious views.
As an Italian-American who grew up listening to the gorgeous sounds of Italian opera, I am so proud of the Pavarotti family for telling nasty Donald to knock it off.
Featured image via YouTube screengrab.
