Political candidates court youth vote; appeal to rock stars

Political candidates court youth vote; appeal to rock stars
December 14, 2003 - Billboard
By Wes Orshoski

The shortest distance between a presidential candidate and the highly coveted youth vote still lies in a strong endorsement from a top rock star.
Former president Bill Clinton -- arguably the first ''rock 'n' roll president'' -- proved that rule in 1992, when Fleetwood Mac featured prominently in his campaign.
This time around, the lesson hasn't been lost on Democratic presidential hopefuls. In the sweepstakes for artist endorsements, candidates Dennis Kucinich, Howard Dean and John Kerry are leading the pack, according to an informal survey by Billboard.
Politically active artists, meanwhile, have little to fear from a Dixie Chicks-style backlash, according to Artemis Records chief and longtime political activist Danny Goldberg.
''I don't think people usually make judgments about what kind of entertainment they like based on what the politics are of the entertainer,'' said Goldberg, who recently made his debut as an author with Dispatches From the Culture Wars: How the Left Lost Teen Spirit.
Among those who have endorsed Kucinich, a congressman and former Cleveland mayor, are country music icon Willie Nelson and singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco.
Meanwhile, electronic pioneer Moby, James Taylor and '60s rock icon Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills & Nash are backing Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry.
But bandmates don't always see eye to eye on candidates. Graham Nash and David Crosby of CSN, for example, are backing former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.
''Nash and I both met Howard Dean through a friend of ours, David Bender, and sat down and talked with him for quite a while,'' Crosby said. ''He was a very bright guy, very reasonable, and he had the fire to be able to handle the job."
Winning an artist's endorsement pays dividends in more ways than one. Aside from an instant connection with the artist's fan base, top acts can be potent fund-raisers.
The Eagles and John Mellencamp have played fund-raisers for retired Gen. Wesley Clark.
Nelson has stumped for Kucinich in radio ads that were first aired in Iowa in August. After noting that he doesn't ''usually get too involved in politics,'' Nelson says in the ad that Kucinich ''speaks up for heartland Americans who need a stronger voice.''
Kucinich, who has also drawn the support of folk-rocker Michelle Shocked, is a leading critic of the Bush administration's foreign and domestic policies.
A Beatles fanatic, he has quoted the likes of Marvin Gaye, Jackson Browne and the Pretenders (featuring Ohio-born Chrissie Hynde) in his campaign speeches.
Folk icon Pete Seeger and guitarist Tim Reynolds -- known for his work with Dave Matthews -- also have endorsed Kucinich.
A fan of Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones and the Grateful Dead, Kerry recently held what he referred to as a ''John Kerry Unplugged'' event in Boston. Pop Gun 7, a band fronted by Kerry campaign staffer Roger Fisk, featured Moby that night.
After Moby left the stage, Kerry, a Vietnam vet, grabbed a guitar and ran through a cover of Springsteen's ''No Surrender,'' a song about Vietnam-era soldiers.
Moby also appeared at a recent Kerry event in New York alongside Taylor, who is expected to perform at additional Kerry events as well.
Meanwhile, CSN bandmates Crosby and Nash have appeared at fund-raisers/rallies for Dean, who is a guitarist and harmonica player and a fan of the likes of Wyclef Jean and George Harrison.
Dean has also picked up the support of Joan Jett and Melissa Etheridge. The latter recently performed at an event for the politician in Iowa.
Trey Anastasio, frontman for jam-band giant Phish, has also proved fickle about political endorsements.
Dean recently had lunch with the Vermont native to capture his endorsement, but he didn't get it.
"Obviously he wanted me to back him, because then a lot of young people who vote could help his bid for president,'' Anastasio recently told Playboy. ''But I was a little bit frozen by the whole thing, because I don't really know the answer to the question yet. Politics, by definition, divide, and music unifies.

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