The O’Jays are the latest music artists to be displeased by the unauthorized use of their music at the Republican National Convention this week in Cleveland Ohio, not far from where the group formed in Canton, Ohio in 1959.
Yesterday, members Walter Williams and Eddie Levert issued a statement to object the use of their 1973 hit “Love Train,” which was played at the convention and on the RNC’s social media outlets. In one instance, they even changed the lyrics to “Trump Train” to praise their presidential candidate Donald Trump.
“Our music, and most especially, ‘Love Train’ is about bringing people together, not building walls,” said Williams in the statement. “I don’t appreciate being associated with Mr. Trump and his usage of our music without permission.”
Levert added, “I don’t agree, whatsoever, with Trump’s politics. His spokesman added that Levert “strongly identifies with the ongoing struggle for civil rights and has been and continues to be, in fact, a friend of many important figures of the civil rights movement.”
Earlier this week, British rock band Queen also voiced disapproval of “unauthorized” use of their 1977 hit “We Are the Champions.” The Turtles rock band is another group who bashed the RNC for unauthorized use of their 1967 hit “Happy Together.”