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Trump Told To Stop Using British Stars' Songs

One of the writers of a British rock classic has called in his lawyers after Donald Trump used the song to end his presidential nomination speech to the Republican Party’s convention.

As the billionaire businessman wound up his address by saying: "We will make America great again. God bless you and good night, I love you", the guitar riff from All Right Now fired up and red, white and blue balloons were released into the arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

Paul Rodgers co-wrote the song with another member of Free, Andy Fraser, in 1970.

It was also used to introduce Mr Trump's running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence.

In a tweet on Monday, Rodgers wrote: "Permission to use "All Right Now" was never sought for or granted by me. My lawyer is dealing with this matter. - Paul".

Other British artists have also objected to Mr Trump using their music.

After he walked on stage earlier in the convention to the sound of Queen's 1977 track, We Are The Champions, the band tweeted: "An unauthorised use at the Republican Convention against our wishes."

Representatives of the Beatles guitarist George Harrison, who died in 2001, said the use of Here Comes The Sun to introduce Mr Trump's daughter, Ivanka, was "offensive & against the wishes" of his estate.

And when two of Adele's hits - Rolling In The Deep and Skyfall - were played at Trump political rallies earlier this year, her spokesman said permission had not been granted.

American artists including Neil Young and Steven Tyler, from Aerosmith, have also objected.

Tyler's lawyers sent a cease and desist letter, saying that Mr Trump did "not have our client's permission to use Dream On" or any of Tyler's other songs "because it gives the false impression that (he) is connected with, or endorses, Mr Trump's presidential bid".

Complaints have not always been expressed in lawyerly language.

After Trump used REM's It's The End Of The World As We Know It at a rally, the band's frontman Michael Stipe said: "Go f*** yourselves, the lot of you - you sad, attention-grabbing, power-hungry little men.

"Do not use our music or my voice for your moronic charade of a campaign."

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