Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson calls out Trump for using song without permission at military parade
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Heart’s Nancy Wilson took to Instagram Sunday to make clear she and her bandmates did not approve President Donald Trump’s use of their 1977 track Barracuda for his grand military parade over the weekend.
‘Earlier today, during a parade held in support of our nation’s military and organized by President Donald Trump, the song ‘Barracuda’ by Heart was played without permission or authorization from us,’ the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, 71, said in a post on the social media site.
Wilson continued: ‘Barracuda, written and performed by Ann and I, is a powerful piece of music that was never intended for political use.
‘As daughters of a U.S. Marine Corps major, we hold a deep and abiding respect for the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces.’
The posting came in the wake of Trump’s parade – which coincided with his 79th birthday – rolling down Washington D.C.’s Constitution Avenue with an array of troops, tanks and a 21-gun salute.
Wilson, who has more than 195,000 followers on the platform, wrapped up in saying that the wishes of those who created the music should be taken into account in a situation as such.
Heart’s Nancy Wilson took to Instagram Sunday to make clear she and her bandmates did not approve President Donald Trump ‘s use of their 1977 track Barracuda for his grand military parade over the weekend
Trump attends a celebration of the Army’s 250th birthday on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.on Saturday
‘On a day meant to honor that service, it’s important that music used in such settings reflects not only the tone of the event but also the wishes of the artists who created it.’
As a response, a rash of counterprotests erupted from coast-to-coast called ‘No Kings’ in opposition to perceptions Trump was seeking to position himself as a strongman with the demonstration, which involved 6,000 soldiers and 128 Army tanks.
Trump had previously sought to organize a parade akin to Sunday’s after witnessing a 2017 parade in Paris that impressed him.
He said at the end of the parade Saturday: ‘Every other country celebrates their victories. It’s about time America did too.’
The comment section was divided, as some were critical of the musician for her statement, while others were supportive.
Some cited the cap Wilson wore in the photo – which read ‘No Kings but us’ – to remind her that Trump was democratically elected over challenger Kamala Harris in a landslide last fall.
‘Imagine calling a democratically elected president a king. What a clown,’ said one commenter.
One commenter noted there had been ‘No Kings since July 4th 1776,’ as ‘Trump was fairly elected,’ while another said Wilson made for ‘another case of TDS.’ (The acronym refers to the phrase Trump Derangement Syndrome.)
Wilson performed during the Love Alive Tour at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre on July 11, 2019 in Chicago
Nancy performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 28, 2024
Another person wrote to Wilson: ‘That statement made no sense. Sorry but a borrowed song for the Army where people died for our rights and freedom seems trivial.’
Trump is no stranger to artists opposing the use of their music at his events. He has faced opposition from the performers and/or their estates since he began presiding over political rallies with amid the commencement of his first presidential campaign in the summer of 2015.
Nancy and her older sister Ann formed the band Heart in 1973.
The ensemble carved out a legacy in rock with classic songs such as Magic Man in 1975’s Magic Man, 1977’s Barracuda and 1985’s What About Love?
The band also boasted hits such as 1985’s What About Love?, 1987’s Who Will You Run To, 1990’s Stranded and All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You.
The group would go on to sell more than 35 million albums. In 2013, they went into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
