Pussy Riot. What other bands have been catapulted to fame because of politics - and which have endured?

Pete Seeger

Mention politics and music and the first band I think of is Rage Against the Machine. They are very talented and successful, so you could put them on the “made good on this fame and lasted” list.

The Mentors.

Theirs was the first album to have the “Parental Advisory” sticker attached, and was the main example used by Tipper Gore during the whole fiasco leading up to it. Of course, that meant they sold more albums than ever! Thanks, Tipper! – And RIP El Duce

“The Dixie Chicks” after their anti-Bush statements.

Seriously? Are you sure that they were not “catapulted to fame” because of their name?

Catapulted to notoriety, perhaps. I watched their protest in the Church. I seriously doubt I will ever hear another bit of music from them again. Not that they were that bad. But I don’t pay much attention to current music unless it goes viral.

I always liked “The Dixie Chicks” and believe in their right to free speech. But Natalie Maines destroyed the band. I wish she had actually, Shut Up and Sang.

You can’t have this question without answering Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, John Prine and others from the 1950s and 1960s like them. True artists.

Did you know Irving Berlin wrote a WWI protest song? “Stay Down Here Where You Belong.” Berlin is an example on both sides of politics.

Pussy Riot is now Russia’s most famous punk band.

@marinelife – No. They’d been around with that name for quite some time before the Putin incident. Their notoriety/fame is due to their incarceration in Russia after confronting Putin. Google their name and read up if this is news to you.

Rage Against the Machine.

As an aside, I like to keep track of how many times Amy Goodman can say “Pussy Riot” in a single piece on the band.

Frankly, I never heard of the Dixie Chicks until they excoriated Bush and were attacked by the right wing. I bought and enjoyed several of their albums since then and I’m not a fan of country music.

I would also add Peter, Paul, and Mary to the list.

Maybe some Jellies who were around at the time can clarify, but…

Crosby Stills Nash and Young? I’m thinking of “Ohio” in particular.

@Ron_C I wouldn;t add them to the list as they were always super famous and talented.

i asked: What other bands have been catapulted to fame because of politics – and which have endured?

@Seek_Kolinahr I was around at the time and I wouldn’t say that CS & Y were primarily known for or catapulted to fame because of politics although a few of their songs were political.

Has anyone mentioned Woody Guthrie yet?

Pissing someone off… The Sex Pistols? Political bands that are still popular, Midnight Oil. I love Midnight Oil.