November 28, 2003

Rock Stars Rally Against Bush

By MTVE.com

President George W. Bush is a marked man.

Thirty major artists interviewed for a story in the Rolling Stone magazine cites many concerns: U.S. policy on Iraq, the Patriot Act, the Bush administration's assault on the environment, the economy and the media.

And they all agree that as the 2004 presidential election gets closer, it is time to mobilize.

Artists such as Moby, Lou Reed, John Mellencamp, Michael Stipe and Dave Matthews are now asking fans to get involved.

"The America we believe in can't survive another four years of George Bush," says Moby.

"We must all unite and work for whomever opposes Bush, regardless of whatever differences we may have," adds Lou Reed. "Our motto: Anything but Bush."

John Mellencamp has posted an open letter to America on his website, declaring: "We have been lied to and terrorized by our own government, and it is time to take action."

Moby, Eddie Vedder and Michael Stipe are also organizing a TV-ad campaign that will run anti-Bush commercials during the week of the State of the Union address in January. Dave Matthews is railing against the war in Iraq in interviews, and Green Day, NOFX, Tom Morello, Dixie Chicks, Don Henley, Willie Nelson and Steve Earle have all played (or plan to play) for political candidates or causes.

Hip-hop stars have also gotten involved. "We have a voice and a responsibility to speak out," says Jay-Z, a member of Russell Simmons' Hip-Hop Summit, which aims to register 4 million voters before the 2004 election. "People listen to us."