Cold Chisel front-man slams Reclaim Australia for using his songs at their anti-Islamist rallies

By Maria Kyriacou

Cold Chisel front-man slams Reclaim Australia for using his songs at their anti-Islamist rallies
Jimmy Barnes has joined the club of artists who call out groups using their songs for causes they don't believe in, after Reclaim Australia used Khe Sanh at an anti-immigration rally

Cold Chisel front man Jimmy Barnes has posted a letter to his Facebook page, calling on anti-Islamist groups to cease using his songs as their anthems.

The singer made it clear he did not support the agenda of groups such as Reclaim Australia or United Patriots, and called for ‘love and tolerance,’

 

Videos emerged after the weekend’s rallies, showing Cold Chisel’s hit Khe Sanh being played as Reclaim Australia protesters held up signs and flags.

The Scotland-born star, whose wife was born in Thailand said in a statement, “If you look at my family you can see we are a multicultural family.”

Jimmy Barnes and his wife Jane Mahoney Photo Credit: Jimmy Barnes - Official Facebook
Jimmy Barnes and his wife Jane Mahoney Photo Credit: Jimmy Barnes – Official Facebook

It’s not the first time musicians have found their songs appropriated by causes they do not endorse. Recently Neil Young made waves, telling Donald Trump to stop using his song, “Rockin in the Free World” at his election campaign launch event.

Other artists who have demanded their songs be pulled from causes or political campaigns the don’t agree with include:

  • Sting, John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, Orleans vs. George W Bush
  • Pro-Obama rockers The Foo Fighters vs John McCain
  • Eminem vs. New Zealand National Party
  • Bon Jovi vs. Sarah Palin
  • MGMT vs ex-French President Vincent Sarkozy
  • Al Green vs. Mitt Romney
  • Abba vs. John McCain

Do you think artists should have a say in who uses their songs?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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