Jethro Tull Banned Over Flag Criticism

[sugar and spice]

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).

[SAEalumnus]

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!

[Optimist Prime]

He's right. Nationalism is bad.

[lifesaver]

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.

[midwesterngirl]

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

[damasa]

Originally posted by bethany1982
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!

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.

[bethany1982]

Originally posted by damasa
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.

[moe.ron]

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.

[bethany1982]

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.

[Kevin]

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.

[moe.ron]

Originally posted by bethany1982
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.

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.

[bethany1982]

Originally posted by moe.ron
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?

[moe.ron]

Originally posted by bethany1982
Why should the station be ashamed for taking a stand on an issue? .

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.

Those who don't like the stations position can find a different source for music.

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.

[bethany1982]

Originally posted by moe.ron
All popular radio stations are media whores.

Anything for the bottom line.