Six Musicians Who Held Political Office

Americans took to the poles to vote in the general election yesterday, electing new officials to public office. As Democrats and Republicans celebrate their wins and losses, the music community also gets to celebrate as two of their own, New York’s Justin Brannan (Indecision, Most Precious Blood) and Danica Roem (Cab Ride Home), were elected to office.

There has been a long history of musicians getting into politics. Sure, there are a lot of bands and artists that write songs about politics and ideology, but there are also those that feel compelled to run for office. Artists such as former 98 Degrees member Justin Jeffre, Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic, comedic singer Kinky Friedman, Blur’s Dave Rowntree, Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra and many others ran without much success. ‘American Idol’ alum Clay Aiken came close to being elected as a congressman in North Carolina in 2014. Then there are those, like Brannan and Roem, who succeeded in their attempts to hold office.

In honor of the election, Vinyl Bay 777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at musicians who have held political office. Here are six that have been able to make a difference in their respective countries at a higher level.

1.       Sonny Bono: Following his long musical career with second wife Cher, the late Sonny Bono ran for mayor of Palm Springs, California in 1988 and won, holding the position for four years. After his term ended in 1992, he threw his hat in the ring to become a Republican candidate for Senate, but lost. Two years later he ran for office again, this time for a spot in the House of Representatives, a position he would hold until his untimely death in 1998. Bono became known for his work on copyright, even getting a bill named after him posthumously.

2.       Martha Reeves: As leader of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and solo artist all her own, Martha Reeves continues to entertain scores of fans with hits like “Dancing in the Street” and “Heat Wave.” But in 2005, she felt it important to put music aside for a while and run for city council in Detroit. She would hold a position on the council for one, four-year term before losing her reelection campaign in 2009 and picking up her music career where it left off.

3.       Peter Garrett: Though he had run for a position on the Australian Senate in 1984, Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett was more successful the second time around. Quitting the band in 2002, he ran for and won a position in the country’s House of Representatives in 2004. That led to various appointments on environmental protection and the arts and education committees. Garrett remained in office until 2013 when his controversies got the best of his political career and he resigned. He is currently back with Midnight Oil, who are currently finishing up a world tour.

4.       Jerry Butler: As a solo artist and member of the Impressions, Jerry Butler had a long recording career that lasted for more than three decades. His last recording was released in 1983, two years before running for Cook County Board Commissioner in 1985, a position he still holds to this day.

5.       John Hall: Taking his second leave of absence from his role as frontman for New York rock band Orleans, John Hall ran for a spot in the U.S. House of Representatives in New York’s 19^th District, beating out the incumbent by a narrow margin. He was reelected in 2008, but lost in 2010. He is currently back to fronting Orleans.

6.       Einar Orn: Following his time with Icelandic rock band The Sugarcubes, solo projects and working behind the scenes, Einar Orn decided to run for city council in Reykjavik without any prior political experience. The vocalist and trumpet player won his election and spent four years chairing the culture and tourism committee. When election time came around in 2014, his party, the Best Party, disbanded.

It is not unusual for musicians to get involved in politics, using their platform to bring attention to issues close to their hearts. But there are a handful of artists who take it to the next level and run for office to make themselves heard. And whether they win or lose, their campaigns help succeed in bringing about change.

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Find music from some of these political artists and more at Vinyl Bay 777. Long Island’s top new independent record shop has thousands of titles to choose from in a variety of genres. Browse our wide selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com. With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.

Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and Looking at the 2016 Presidential Campaign by Music Choice

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump will be heading intothe first debate of
the 2016 season on Monday, September 26. Photo modified from thumbnail
for  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXEofB_G7Sc                               

The 2016 presidential election has been one of the most contentious in recent history, and quite frankly, it’s still only getting started. The field has been narrowed down to four, with only two anywhere close to having enough support to be elected into the White House in November. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have wildly different opinions on how the country should be run, as well as how to run a presidential campaign. Such can be seen in the way they present themselves to the public, from what they deem important enough to talk about in their speeches to what music they walk out to.

When Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump engage in their first debate on Monday night at Hofstra University, voters will not only be listening to what policies the candidates will be advocating, but also paying attention to who came off looking better. It’s something that has plagued our democracy since televised debates began in the mid-1960s, when a healthy, young John F. Kennedy won voters’ hearts against a sickly, old-looking Richard Nixon. At that moment, politics became as much about looks and personality as it did about policy and action.

Both candidates have strong personalities. Depending on your circle, you either like one, the other or neither of them, and with good reason. The two are polarizing figures with good and bad points.

At Vinyl Bay 777 and vinylbay777.com, we like to look at things through a musical lens. How is each of the candidates using music to further promote themselves and how does the music community perceive the candidates?

If you look at the list of artists who support Hillary Clinton, it would seem as if much of the community is behind her. It’s a list that includes many of today’s young, popular artists: Kanye West, Beyonce, Pharrell, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Ellie Goulding, Demi Lovato and Justin Timberlake. She also has the support of a number of even more established artists: Tony Bennet, Jon Bon Jovi, Ice-T, Quincy Jones and Morrissey. Many of these artists feel that voting for Mrs. Clinton would be voting on the right side of history, with a number of them also saying that they trust her more.

But that doesn’t discount the amount of support Donald Trump has from right-leaning musicians. Loretta Lynn, Ted Nugent, Wayne Newton, Kenny Rogers, Gene Simmons, Aaron Carter and Kid Rock are all squarely in his court. The consensus seems to be that Mr. Trump speaks his mind, and that is something that we need as a country.

For the most part, music choices are reflected in who supports the candidate. For example, Hillary Clinton’s campaign playlist is full of newer artists, including American Authors, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, Pharrell Williams, Gym Class Heroes, Bon Jovi and, most importantly, Rachael Platten, who’s runaway hit single “Fight Song” has become one of her rally themes. She has even gone as far as hiring an indie music agency, Marmoset, to soundtrack her campaign ads with up-and-coming artists’ music. According to a poll on YouGov, Mrs. Clinton’s supporters favor new artists, as well as a well of diversity, both in race and gender. She wants people to like her; she wants the young vote, so the music she plays is diverse like the people voting for her.

Donald Trump, on the other hand, takes a different approach with his music. While in the same YouGov poll Mr. Trump’s supporters lean more towards classic rock headed by white males, his campaign playlist does not reflect this. His playlist is diverse; it includes Adele, Elton John, Beatles, R.E.M., Neil Young and Twisted Sister. However, out of all of these artists, only one gave him permission to use his music: Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider. It’s a bold move, to use music without the artist’s consent, and not something that a political candidate would usually do, but Mr. Trump is not the usual candidate. He doesn’t care if you like him, he doesn’t like you, that’s just how he rolls.

Sure, people care about policy, it would be a pity if they didn’t. But in today’s political climate, a candidate’s personality is just as important to the average voter as what they have to offer as president. When Mr. Trump and Mrs. Clinton face off on Monday, how they look and perform have just as much weight as what they say. It’s evident from the music libraries of each candidate, as well as their approach to picking songs, what they each want to accomplish with their candidacy. Mrs. Clinton wants the progressive youth vote, so she appeals to young voters with young music. Mr. Trump’s choices don’t necessarily reflect who his policies appeal to, but makes bold choices, just like he makes bold choices on the campaign trail. Whichever way the first debate goes, we know that it will be a tight race between formidable adversaries with a unique approach to running the country.

Despite your political leanings, stop by Vinyl Bay 777, or visit us at vinylbay777.com, and pick up music from either candidate's playlist, or shop from our selection of new and used vinyl, CDs, cassettes and more. With thousands of titles and more being added daily, you're sure to find a gem to be proud of.