Green Day, Lorde And More Sign Letter Demanding Politicians To Clear Music

On Tuesday (July 28), a number of bands and artists including Green Day, Lorde, and Panic! At The Disco signed an open letter penned by the Artist Rights Alliance (ARA) that demands political parties to “establish clear policies requiring campaigns to seek the consent of featured recording artists, songwriters, and copyright owners before publicly using their music in a political or campaign setting.”

The letter comes after a number of musicians have denounced President Trump for using their music at his rallies without consent. Pearl Jam, Linkin Park, Fall Out Boy, Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger & Keith Richards, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler & Joe Perry, Sia, Regina Spektor, R.E.M, Blondie, Cyndi Lauper, CAKE, Elvis Costello, The Black Keys' Patrick Carney, and Courtney Love also added their names to the message, which also notes “the fundamental right of music creators to decide who can use their music and on what terms.” Any politician that does not comply "risks serious legal consequences."

“We’ve seen so many artists and estates dragged into politics against their will and forced to take aggressive action to prohibit the use of their music – usually songs that are broadcast during political rallies or used in campaign ads," the letter continues. "It can confuse and disappoint fans and even undermine an artists’ long-term income – and mostly, it’s just not right. Politicians that want to represent the public trust must do better – by seeking consent before exploiting an artist’s or songwriter’s image and work."

"Many of these artists have spent a lifetime making music that we all know and love. At the very least, it should be their choice – especially in these hyper-partisan times," ADA adds. "With so many creators raising concerns about this issue, it is time to take action and ensure our voices are heard.”

The ADA is giving campaign committees until August 10 to respond with how they plan to address their proposed changes. Read the full letter here and see the full list of artist signees below.

Artists That Signed ADA's Open Letter to Campaign Committees Addressing Music Clearance

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

Elvis Costello

Erin McKeown

Fall Out Boy

Grant-Lee Phillips

Green Day

Gretchen Peters

Ivan Barias

Jason Isbell

Jewel

Joe Perry

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

Steven Tyler

T Bone Burnett

Tift Merritt

Thomas Manzi

Train

Photo: Getty Images