Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler Warns Trump to Stop Using “Dream On” at Campaign Events
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Donald Trump, Steven Tyler & Melania Trump backstage at Prudential Center September 3, 2014 in Newark, New Jersey; Kevin Mazur/WireImage(NEW YORK) — Aerosmith lead singer Steven Tyler thinks Donald Trump can “Dream On” if he wants to continue using the classic Aerosmith tune at his campaign stops.
Tyler’s reps have sent Donald Trump for President Inc. a demand to stop using the song at campaign events, according to a letter obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
The cease-and-desist letter insists, “Trump for President does not have our client’s permission to use ‘Dream On’ or any of our client’s other music in connection with the Campaign because it gives the false impression that he is connected with or endorses Mr. Trump’s presidential bid.
“We are unaware of any public performance license granting Trump for President the right to perform ‘Dream On’ in connection with the Campaign,” states the letter, sent on Saturday. “If Trump for President has any such license, please forward it to our attention immediately,” continues the letter.
The legal warning sent by Tyler’s reps at LaPolt Law also suggests use of “Dream On” could constitute tortious interference as well as a privacy violation. Trump is being given 24 hours to acknowledge receipt of the letter.
“If Trump for President does not comply with our demands, our client will be forced to pursue any and all legal or equitable remedies which our client may have against you,” the letter concludes.
Trump was first told to not use “Dream On” after an August 21 event in Mobile, Alabama, claims the letter, but he continues to use it at events anyway, including a recent rally in Georgia.
In spite of the warning, the real estate mogul and the rocker actually share a mutual admiration and friendship. Tyler was once a judge at Trump’s Miss USA pageant and they reportedly once traveled to Russia together. Last year, Trump went to an Aerosmith concert and tweeted it “doesn’t get any better than that.”
Tyler’s attorney, Dina LaPolt, writes in a statement, “This is not a political nor personal issue with Mr. Trump. Steven works tirelessly with both Republicans and Democrats regarding copyright reform and his position has always been consistent regarding copyright and intellectual property. Simply, one must get permission from the music creators. Steven wrote 100% of ‘Dream On,’ and this is about the un-authorized use of his property. Steven is a registered Republican.”
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