Jethro Tull Banned Over Flag Criticism
 

Band Banned Over Flag Criticism

(CBS) Jethro Tull is off the playlist of a classic rock station after the band's frontman criticized displays of the Stars and Stripes.

"I hate to see the American flag hanging out of every bloody station wagon, out of every SUV, every little Midwestern house in some residential area," Ian Anderson was quoted as saying in an interview published Sunday in the Asbury Park Press. "It's easy to confuse patriotism with nationalism. Flag waving ain't gonna do it."

The verdict from listeners of WCHR-FM's "The Free Beer & Hot Wings Morning Show" was swift.

"The reaction of our audience has been 99 percent in favor of the ban and 99 percent incredulous that he would say such stupid things," said Phil LoCascio, WCHR program director and on-air personality. "He is a smart guy. As far as we're concerned, this ban is forever."

He said the ban isn't censorship because "our listeners' right to ask us not to play the music is equal to his right to say what he wants."

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/...in583423.shtml

How ridiculous. Ian Anderson actually has a brain...apparently some of the people who don't are offended. I too hate to see the flag hanging out of cars, because it ends up looking like crap.

If you're going to display the flag, display it PROPERLY.

Re: Jethro Tull Banned Over Flag Criticism
 

Radio stations use corporate-generated playlists. Listener's rights have never been taken into consideration before. This is just a BS excuse on the part of the station to justify their reaction.

And FWIW - I completely agree with Ian Anderson. Americans far too often confuse patriotism and nationalism.

You know, I just don't understand why people get upset about one entertainer saying one thing, but not upset at another entertainer who says another thing that's just as bad, if not worse.

For example, everyone got mad and banned the Dixie Chicks because of what they said. However, Johnny Depp (I think I've got the right guy - the one from Pirates of the Caribbean) made a pretty rude statement and both his movies did well this summer. No one mentioned anything about banning his movies (at least not that I heard of anyways) - in fact, I didn't even really see any negative press about the incident. I just don't get it.

I dunno...I'm just venting a little I guess. Not trying to piss anyone off or bring up a "hot topic" - just wanted to give my two cents. :cool:

33girl, my husband would completely agree with you on that point (about the flags being hung properly). He is a Marine and he gets soooo mad when people hang it wrong!

Here's a thread from Radio-Info (radio pros, insiders, and those interested in radio post there). Many people are saying it's a stunt. Jerseyites - do you know if this station actually plays much Tull?

http://www.radio-info.com/mods/board...75008&Board=nj

And yes AXiD670, that was Johnny Depp, and it was VERY rude. I think it is all in who says it. A lot of people think he's weird anyway, so they don't care. The Chicks, on the other hand, should have known that a lot of their fans are of a conservative bent and would get upset.

Incidentally - shameless plug time - there's a REALLY good show on CMT called "Controversy." It tells the stories of some of the country songs that have created a stir politically & socially. I really don't like country, but this show is very interesting.

http://www.cmt.com/cmt/shows/controversy.jhtml

Personally he said nothing bad. He is right that people always confused nationalism with patriotism.

The 99 percent who support this ban are simply expressing their opinions. Some of you seem to think they are dumb for having an opinion. The wonders of free speech. Let people rip the flag, that's their right, but they should not expect others to keep silent. I recently read an article written by a liberal calling for a boycott of certain companies who support the RNC or other conservative causes. Let them call for the boycott, that's their right. Let other show support for those companies... who cares??? I'm always amazed when people complain about others who are simply expressing free speech.

This could be viewed as a complaint, no? I mean, the people who want Jethro banned?


I mean Jethro's frontman was expressing free speech as well, no?

A complaint? Did they say he did not have a right to express his opinion? I don't think so. They are simply saying that they disagree. I see a huge difference here. Go out and say whatever you want to say, but don't expect anyone to feel obligated to listen to it or to listen to you in general. I don't see where the listeners expressed the view that he did not have a right to his opinion. Perhaps I missed that part.

You did say "I'm always amazed when people complain about others who are simply expressing free speech.."

How is it that people who don't agree with the people who support the ban are complaining while those who support the ban are simply expressing a right?

That really confuses me.

Maybe everyone is express a right to disagree rather, instead of complaining.

Either way, Jethro's frontman expressed a right. People exrpessed a right to not go along with that. Others expressed a right not to go along with a ban.


It's funny to me. Some conservatives feel that liberals should shush up and when they do speak up they are "complaining." Yet, when a conservative speaks up they are simply expressing an opinion or exercising freedom of speech. Awesome.

That is hilarious... turning my point into a liberal/conservative issue. Where did these listeners say that this individual could not express his opinion? All they are saying is we will not purchase a product from someone we disagree with. Personally, I don't usually support bans or boycotts, but I support the right of those who do. Everyone wants an opinion but no one seems to want to face the consequences of their opinion. Speak your mind. Have your opinion, but don't expect anyone to listen, like it, accept it, or pay for it. Of course we all know that Liberals are always open-minded and would never attempt to shut someone up... right!

I think he should be shot and have his body buried in Canada.

-Rudey

Ouch!

It's the whole damn Dixie Chicks argument all over again.

Yes, he has a right to make whatever kind of statement he wishes.

But, if his fans disagree, they have to right to boycott the band. Just because celebrities have a greater access to media and can spread their opinions easier doesn't mean they have a carte blanche with their fans.

If bruce willis came out tomorrow and said that he believed all Catholics were wrong and going to hell, that's fine, its his right, it's also my right as an American to NOT buy tickets to his movies, tell my friends what i think about him, etc.

Kitso
KS 361

I just went and looked at that link - I had no idea what "Independence Day" was really about. Don't really know how I missed that one.

Also, did anybody ever hear the song "Osama, your mama didn't raise you well?" It's totally irreverent but cracked me up.

-471 country songs I learned at Platteville because it was one of the only radio stations we got and one of my sisters was the FH sweetheart

Out of curiosity, what did Johnny Depp say?

As 33girl said, it's largely a question of audience. If Courtney Love says something criticizing the war, it is going to have a lot less of a negative impact than if the Dixie Chicks do, due to the typical mindset of their respective fans. As an artist, you do have to keep that in mind if financial stablity is in any way a goal of yours.

I do think that the fans have every right to stage a boycott if they want to, but I think that boycott should be limited to not buying CDs of the band in question, turning off the radio when their songs come on, etc. -- but it should not extend to "censorship," or going through a third party to boycott the music. I think they have every right to boycotting the band if they don't want to hear it, and convincing like-minded people to do the same, but I don't think they should be allowed to affect other people who don't feel the same way they do. Because then you are only a few steps away from consumer pressure to get Jethro Tull CDs banned from CD stores, or things like that. And that leads to a media environment where everyone is afraid to say anything controversial for fear that it will affect their sales -- and that's not what music, or television or film or writing or art or any of that should be about.

I don't know. I think it's a slippery slope . . . but I think there is a big difference between trying to control what you listen to (or watch or read) and trying to control what everyone listens to (or watches or reads).

I remember seeing bumper stickers and things a couple of years ago with messages along the lines of: "Where was your flag/patriotism on September 10th?" To be honest, I'd have to agree. It absolutely disgusts me that some companies used a national tragedy to market cheap patriotic crap to people who didn't give a damn before the attacks happened and then kept all of the profits for themselves rather than donating them to the families of the victims or any of the organizations that were actually doing something to help. Apparently the words "marketing" and "ethics" are not to be found in the same sentence (except, as in this case, to point out the obvious contradiction between the two).

Don't display the flag unless you understand what it represents and are willing to display and care for your flag properly! :mad:

He's right. Nationalism is bad.

Seriously, America has no national identity. It took 9/11 for us all to realize were even in the same country. The only time we are all americans in at memorials, parades and on election day.

Seriously, 75% of Europe is way more nationalistic than the US EVER COULD BE. Ever read anything about Germany? They are always and still nationalistic AND Xenophobic.

I read this on another board I frequent.It is an entertainment industry forum.It isn't a fan site,they are industry workers.Agents,publicists that sort of thing,I don't think that Jethro Tull has had this much press in years.






The station requested an interview with Ian yesterday.... so much for a boycott.

The original article is online at www.app.com (click on ENTERTAINMENT, then IAN ANDERSON INTERACTIVE), and you'll see it's quite likely the beer & wings radio guy just didn't read the piece.

There'll be a webchat with Ian Sunday evening at www.jethrotull.com and a VH1 Satellite Interview on Monday from 9 till 11.

This is just proof that beer drinking djs should do it when they're done with the shift. None of the other stations are boycotting Ian or Tull.

My emails and phonecalls have been quite fun today.

Love,

Anne Leighton,
Publicist Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull, Martin Barre
North America



http://www.velvetrope.com/ubbthread...;o=&fpart=1

Ah, but conservatives don't try to "shut people up either!"

I wasn't trying to spin your post but you seem to miss what I was saying.

Someone said something.

Some people don't agree with that, so they are expressing a right, this is true.

There are other people that also don't agree with the group that aren't agreeing with what was said, or the group that is supporting the ban. You said in a previous post that you don't understand why people "complain" about people expressing rights. Like I said, how is it that they are complaining and not expressing a right to not agree with the people who are supporting the ban? I think you are missing the point or dodging it altogether.

Why would I dodge your point? You miss the point. Let them disagree with the station's position. Let them support the group. Let them join together and boycott the station over the ban issue. Let them shout their opinion from every pulpit in the land that will give them opportunity of expression. No one is trying to shut them up. No one is trying to take away the person's right to an opinion. However, the radio station has no obligation to promote the music of Jethro Tull or the opinions of group members/staff. It seems to me that some individuals forget at times that actions have consequences. In this case, the consequence is having an artist lose an outlet for their music.

From what I've been reading, it's the station that should be ashamed. it seems that the station is playing patriotism to get more listeners. FYI, they are the only station to conduct this publicity stunt.

Why should the station be ashamed for taking a stand on an issue? Those who don't like the stations position can find a different source for music.

Sounds like he talked over the heads of his audience. I completely agree with what he said. Folks are/were just buying patriotic materials because that was the "in" thing for awhile. It's disrespectful to the flag to wave it from your car window.

If 99% of his listening audience knew about proper flag ettiquette/care, I think they'd stand behind what he said.

I don't think you've read what I wrote. The station is not taking a stand, they are using this as a gimmick for publicity purposes. And if you read what midwesterngirl girl posted, it obvious that it's nothing but a gimmick. A little like all those people that were selling "Nuke Afghanistan" stickers. Those people, along with this radio station should be ashamed of themselves.

The principle of the issue does not change. Right or wrong, no matter what the motive, the station has a right to play or not to play any music from any group for whatever reason. I don't necessarily agree with their position, but I support their right to decide what they put over the airways. Would you dictate to the station what music or groups they play?

They are not taking a stand on an issue. In fact, the so called boycott was shortlived, because if I'm not mistaken, they have a request to interview Ian. So much for taking a stand.

You are correct. I would like to see the entire interview. In essence, I agree with him. People easily confused patriotism with nationalism. I personally think, like ktsnake have said, his comment went above the head of the listener of "Free Beer and Hot Wings."

I suspect the station is in turn using this ban as a public relations gimmick- create controversy, come across as the "all American" patriot station, etc. All popular radio stations are media whores.

Anything for the bottom line.