Friday, August 15, 2008

Running On Empty to Shea Stadium During Elvis Week... huh?

Jackson Browne has filed a lawsuit against Sen. John McCain and the Republican National Party for using his 1977 song "Running On Empty" in a campaign commercial for McCain without Browne's approval. Rolling Stone reported that the TV spot mocks Sen. Barack Obama for suggesting that Americans could try to conserve gas through tire inflation.

Browne's attorney, Lawrence Iser, stated that aside from the illegal use of the song, the implication that Browne -- whose liberal political leanings are public knowledge -- supports McCain is entirely misleading, explaining, "In light of Jackson Browne's lifelong commitment to Democratic ideals and political candidates, the misappropriation of Jackson Browne's endorsement is entirely reprehensible, and I have no doubt that a jury will agree."

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It was 43 years ago today that the Beatles played their legendary concert at Shea Stadium in New York City. The show was the first on their 1965 U.S. summer tour, and it was also the first-ever open air stadium rock concert.

The group flew into New York on August 13th and a day later taped a five-song performance for The Ed Sullivan Show to be broadcast the following month. Sullivan returned the favor by introducing the group the next night at Shea, in front of a sell-out crowd of 55,600 fans.

The Beatles, who performed on a makeshift stage near where second base would normally be, earned a whopping $160,000 for their 30-minute set -- which was a record payout at that time.

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Tomorrow (August 16th) marks the 31st anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. Presley died of a heart attack on August 16th, 1977 at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. He was 42 years old.

The city of Memphis is currently winding down its annual Elvis Week, which features various Elvis-themed concerts, celebrations, charity benefits, guest lectures, as well as a special mass in honor of "The King." Late tonight, thousands of fans are expected to show for a candlelight vigil at Presley's grave at his Graceland estate, which will be webcast live over the Internet.

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