Elton John, Mick Jagger and Lionel Richie sign open letter calling for ban on politicians using their music

Mick Jagger, Lionel Richie and Elton John are among a number of high-profile musicians to call for an end to politicians using their music without permission. In an open letter shared on the Artist Rights Alliance website, the group of singers say that politicians who use songs on campaign trails and at rallies without prior authorisation could be in breach of copyright. The move comes as politicians including Donald Trump have come under fire from musicians who do not wish to be associated with them. “Being dragged unwillingly into politics in this way can compromise an artist’s personal values while disappointing and alienating fans – with great moral and economic cost,” reads the letter. “For artists that do choose to engage politically in campaigns or other contexts, this kind of unauthorised public use confuses their message and undermines their effectiveness. “Music tells powerful stories and drives emotional connection and engagement – that’s why campaigns use it, after all! But doing so without permission siphons away that value.” Other artists to have signed the petition include Cyndi Lauper, Lorde, R E M, Linkin Park, Aerosmith, Sia, Blondie, Sheryl Crow, Green Day and Panic! At the Disco. The letter calls for political parties to establish new policies to ensure all music used is done so with prior permission, setting a date of Monday, August 10, for a response, before further action is taken. In June, both Linkin Park and The Rolling Stones issued statements to denounce Trump for the unauthorised use of their tracks in campaign videos. Both bands released statements making it clear they had no association with the US president, stating that the use of their music was in breach of its license. The full list of artists who have signed the petition: Aerosmith Alanis Morissette Amanda Shires Ancient Future Andrew McMahon Artist Rights Alliance B-52s Beth Nielsen Chapman Blondie Butch Walker Cake Callie Khouri Courtney Love Cyndi Lauper Dan Navarro Daniel Martin Moore Duke Fakir Elizabeth Cook Elton John Elvis Costello Erin McKeown Fall Out Boy Grant-Lee Phillips Green Day Gretchen Peters Ivan Barias Jason Isbell Jewel John McCrea John Mellencamp Keith Richards Kurt Cobain estate Lera Lynn Lionel Richie Linkin Park Lorde Lykke Li Maggie Vail Mary Gauthier Matt Nathanson Matthew Montfort Michelle Branch Mick Jagger Okkervil River Pearl Jam Panic! At The Disco Patrick Carney R E M Regina Spektor Rosanne Cash Sheryl Crow Sia T Bone Burnett Tift Merritt Thomas Manzi Train

Elton John, Mick Jagger and Lionel Richie sign open letter calling for ban on politicians using their music

'Being dragged unwillingly into politics in this way can compromise an artist’s personal values', the open letter states