According the The Guardian, Elmer Bernstein's sons are up in arms over the UK Independance Party's use of their father's Great Escape music in their Brexit campaign.
Im sure it is against Board rules to comment on preferences about leaving the EU or staying in, but whereever your allegiances are, this is a bit of an over-reaction I think.
Far more concerning is that Williams' 1941 music - which was surely inspired by Bernstein's earlier score - is currently being used in a TV advert for Mars bars!
Yeah ive seen that - an army of every conceivable Brit type invading france beach to williams march - very off putting. And funny really that they didnt use a british march! Never get in the way of a Creative at an ad agency with important details when theyve had an idea!
I don't think it's an over reaction at all. Lots of artists don't like their music being associated with specific political messages, for many reasons.
I'll have to keep an eye out for that other ad that features 1941, haven't seen it yet.
I was reading an interview with Neil Young in Saturdays Times (the only newspaper I buy these days), & he's less than happy with Donald Trump using his song Rocking In The Free World as his campaign soundtrack, well I can see that. I don't know what the Bernstein's are on about, what's so evil about the UK wanting to leave the EU, is that so wrong & racist about it? And what's it to them, living & working in America.
I'm voting out, mainly to piss-off a friend who's a passionate inner, but like everyone in the UK, I just want it all to be over. My god, another three weeks of it!
I was reading an interview with Neil Young in Saturdays Times (the only newspaper I buy these days), & he's less than happy with Donald Trump using his song Rocking In The Free World as his campaign soundtrack, well I can see that. I don't know what the Bernstein's are on about, what's so evil about the UK wanting to leave the EU, is that so wrong & racist about it? And what's it to them, living & working in America.
Bernstein's music is heard and appreciated the world over. I don't think it's unreasonable that his family doesn't want it associated with a hot-button political topic - either side - regardless where in the world the controversy may be.
Elmer was politically vocal, his dad was a trade unionist.
I don't think this is primarily a political thing, but UKIP are self-confessed right-wingers who play on cheap stereotypes and there's no cheaper stereotype than the Airfix schoolboy POW fan who thinks Britain was a better place during the war. Too bad it was composed by an American, eh Farage? You can exploit the dead, but don't try it with Elmer.
A composer has the right to be asked AND PAID for his music. His estate want his legacy and associations respected.
He spent many of his summers in the UK and they'd know his likely stance.
I was reading an interview with Neil Young in Saturdays Times (the only newspaper I buy these days), & he's less than happy with Donald Trump using his song Rocking In The Free World as his campaign soundtrack, well I can see that. I don't know what the Bernstein's are on about, what's so evil about the UK wanting to leave the EU, is that so wrong & racist about it?
They're not concerned with Brexit, they're bothered about UKIP, which is something else entirely.
And what's it to them, living & working in America.
He's their father, they care about his legacy. He never allowed it while he lived.
And the world is a global place. Elmer's music matters everywhere. Unless you're isolationist ....
He's their father, they care about his legacy. He never allowed it while he lived.
Indeed. Peter Bernstein very succinctly explains why his father would have objected to UKIP and goes on to say in the Guardian article, “Furthermore, although [my father] held very strong, mostly liberal, political views for his entire life, he never allowed his music to be used for political purposes. He preferred it to remain in the realm of entertainment where it originated, simply for people to enjoy, and not as a vehicle for political messaging.”
Far more concerning is that Williams' 1941 music - which was surely inspired by Bernstein's earlier score - is currently being used in a TV advert for Mars bars!
A composer has the right to be asked AND PAID for his music. His estate want his legacy and associations respected.
Well, his family certainly can make their voices heard over it, but ultimately it's a decision for the rights holder. Unless Bernstein retained the rights to this particular score, they [the family] dont't have to be asked. And as long as the rights were attained legally, there are royalties paid out (and that's not a "right" by the way).
Now, I've heard re-recordings and homages used elsewhere before (two instances I can think of were both political in nature).
They're not concerned with Brexit, they're bothered about UKIP, which is something else entirely.
And what's it to them, living & working in America.
He's their father, they care about his legacy. He never allowed it while he lived.
And the world is a global place. Elmer's music matters everywhere. Unless you're isolationist ....
What a load of rubbish. UKIP is Brexit, their sole aim is to get us out of the EU, if we do go (which I don't think we will) UKIP will have no reason to exist, & if the brothers don't agree with UKIP's views on immigration, they must really hate their own country. Elmer allowed his music for The Magnificent Seven to be used to sell cigarettes while he lived, that never bothered him. What's next, they object to people voicing it on football terraces. It looks like UKIP may have been caught out, & will have to pay some kind of fee.
They're not concerned with Brexit, they're bothered about UKIP, which is something else entirely.
And what's it to them, living & working in America.
He's their father, they care about his legacy. He never allowed it while he lived.
And the world is a global place. Elmer's music matters everywhere. Unless you're isolationist ....
What a load of rubbish. UKIP is Brexit, their sole aim is to get us out of the EU, if we do go (which I don't think we will) UKIP will have no reason to exist, & if the brothers don't agree with UKIP's views on immigration, they must really hate their own country. Elmer allowed his music for The Magnificent Seven to be used to sell cigarettes while he lived, that never bothered him. What's next, they object to people voicing it on football terraces. It looks like UKIP may have been caught out, & will have to pay some kind of fee.
Hey Rameau, your post reminds me of my own "supposedly satirical" ones I do (and which nobody gets)! "They must hate their country." Cigarettes? Football matches? Anyway, just as a matter of interest, did you read the info in the actual Grauniad link?
Hope this goes through before the padlock comes down.
What a load of rubbish. UKIP is Brexit, their sole aim is to get us out of the EU, if we do go (which I don't think we will) UKIP will have no reason to exist.....
No.
Brexit has campaigners from many parties, the main spokesmen are Tories, but it's cross-party, as is Remain.
Hmm..... and the repubs are still using the Airforce One music. Jerry would not be pleased.
I don't think this thread is going to last long, by the way.
I purposely avoided stating what my own leanings are toward in respect of the EU for that very reason but I think you're right, the thread has become too political to last.
Far more concerning is that Williams' 1941 music - which was surely inspired by Bernstein's earlier score - is currently being used in a TV advert for Mars bars!
Mike, I forgot to ask. Why is the "1941" use "far more concerning"?
