The O’Jays: Cease and Desist
The O’Jays: Cease and Desist Using Our Music to Boost Trump
Source: PRNewswire / PRNewswire
In photo from left to right: THE O’JAYS: Walter Williams, Eric Grant, Eddie Levert
Last week, Eddie Levert and Walter Williams, the two founding members of The O’Jays decried the use of one of their signature songs, “Love Train,” the lyrics of which were also altered to “Trump Train,” at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, just a short distance from Canton, OH where the group formed in the late 1950s. Williams commented that “Our music, and most especially, ‘Love Train’ is about bringing people together, not building walls.” Eddie Levert suggested in his comment that Trump “just may be the Antichrist.”
In news reports that followed, it became clear that the group members were very concerned with their perceived association with the Trump campaign. Today, they became aware of a pro-Trump video posted by Rep. John Mica (R-FL) in which another of their most notable songs, “For The Love Of Money,” had been appropriated without their consent. Accordingly, they instructed their attorneys to issue a cease and desist letter which has been sent not only to Congressman Mica but also copied to Paul Manafort, Trump’s Campaign Chairman:
Your use of our clients’ signature song, and utilizing the original recording constitutes a patently false implication that Mr. Levert and Mr. Williams have endorsed you or your political agenda or Mr. Trump’s agenda. Our clients unequivocally do not endorse you, your agenda nor your party’s views or those of Mr. Trump. On the contrary, Mr. Levert and Mr. Williams have actively opposed these ideals.
..we hereby demand that you and any person or entity with which you are affiliated with, immediately and permanently refrain from exploiting our clients’ proprietary material, using the recording of the song “For The Love of Money,” or any of our clients’ other intellectual property rights.
Eddie Levert commented, “Trump and his people have no right to help themselves to our music. He presents himself as supporting ‘law and order’ but, in truth, he’s not respecting the law at all. Mr. Trump resorts to painting pictures of gloom and doom and suggesting that he, alone, is the one savior who can fix things. This reminds me of another story and that would be the Book of Revelation. Those who would question just how great America is should travel around the world a bit and let us know if there is any greater country; we know there isn’t.”
Walter Williams, added, “We don’t appreciate having our music associated with a campaign that is hurtful to so many with whom we have common ground.
We’ve really had enough of this I’m living proof that America is already great; I came from nothing and everyday I feel blessed to live in the greatest country on earth. We support those who inspire in a positive way as opposed to bullying and using scare tactics.”
The O’Jays were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005 and have previously been recipients of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation’s Pioneer Award. They continue to record and perform in their seventh decade as musical proponents of peace, love, hope and harmony.
