Thursday, Sep. 18, 2008
George W. Bush
George W. Bush relied on Tom Petty's 1989 single, I Won't Back Down, during his 2000 campaign appearances — that is, until he received a cease and desist letter from Petty's publisher, complaining that use of the song implied a Bush endorsement, which the musician would not give. John Mellencamp and Sting also asked Bush to stop using their songs without permission, although Petty was the only one to threaten legal action. And if his political preference wasn't clear enough, he went on to perform the song in a private concert at Gore's home the night the Vice President gave his concession speech. Tipper Gore played drums.
—By Claire Suddath