Donald Trump Accepts Nomination, Makes Speech, Confesses Love For 'Air Force One' at RNC Day 4
The Republic National Coronation of Donald Trump -- er, Convention -- came to a close tonight. And while it was a pretty staid affair for a large chunk of the event, headliner Donald Trump sparked discussion (and accusations) on both sides of the aisle during a convention-closing speech that lasted nearly an hour.
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Unity was, for once, the theme at the final day of the RNC tonight (July 21), a point emphasized by the evening's official mantra: Make America One Again. Though that doesn't mean there weren't plenty of shots aimed at presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. The closing event featured speeches from the nominee's daughter Ivanka Trump, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus, Oklahoma governor Mary Fallin, venture capitalist Peter Thiel -- in the headlines lately for bankrolling several lawsuits against Gawker -- and, of course, Trump himself.
While we all try and process (read: fact check) a speech that covered a dizzying number of topics, here's a quick rundown of the music-related events that emerged during RNC night four.
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1. Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkin's Daughter Opens Proceedings
Kicking off the night was a performance from six-year-old Heavenly Joy, who sang "Let There Be Peace on Earth" and "America the Beautiful." Some may recognize the youngster from her spell as a contestant on America's Got Talent, but that's not her only industry connection. She's also the daughter of Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, the producer behind hits such as Brandy and Monica's "The Boy Is Mine," Destiny's Child's "Say My Name," Michael Jackson's "You Rock My World" and Lady Gaga's "Telephone," among dozens of others.
2. The House Band Strikes Again
The RNC house band, which has come under fire from artists such as Queen, The Turtles and Earth, Wind & Fire for performing their songs at the convention, reportedly broke out AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long" early on -- the titular phrase was probably a sentiment that many in the country could relate to as the speeches dragged on. No word from the AC/DC camp on that one. And they weren't alone.
3. O'Jays Blast Trump Train
Founding members of the O'Jays released a statement lambasting the Trump campaign for using songs of theirs like "Love Train" -- and a re-working termed "Trump Train" -- during the convention this week. "Our music, and most especially, 'Love Train' is about bringing people together, not building walls." Walter Williams said in a statement. "I don't appreciate being associated with Mr. Trump and his usage of our music without permission."
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4. Ivanka Loves the Beatles
Ivanka Trump emerged for her speech introducing her father to the tune of "Here Comes the Sun" by the Beatles. Her speech seemed to echo the spirit of the song -- Everything's alright! -- before defending her father's leadership abilities, promoting women's rights in the workplace and focusing on working family life. Or maybe not. (But how much came from her?) It appears the Beatles camp isn't happy with the use of the Abbey Road classic.
The RNC Convention is just a parody of my show. Even the chanting. This is not how we run a country!
- Jerry Springer (@jerryspringer) July 21, 2016
5. A Wild Jon Voight Appears
Jon Voight was on hand to deliver a voiceover for a slightly bizarre video "biography" that highlighted Donald Trump's real estate triumphs, which essentially amounted to building an ice skating rink and also a golf course. This might be a stretch here, but Jon Voight did star as the main villain in the 1997 film Anaconda, in which (SPOILER ALERT) both Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube miraculously avoid being eaten by a CGI anaconda.
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6. Here Comes Trump
As for Trump's entrance song? A rendition of the theme song to the film Air Force One, the 1997 film starring Harrison Ford. The score for that film was penned by Jerry Goldsmith, who was also behind the scores for Rudy, Hoosiers, Planet of the Apes, The Mummy, Mulan and many more.
7. "All Right Now"?
As Trump finished his speech, the band played "All Right Now," a classic early '70s rock track by the British band Free. The singer in the original recording, Paul Rodgers, has fronted another British group who earlier this week criticized the use of their music at the RNC...Queen. Rodgers has earlier chastised the convention for using the song. "Permission to use 'All Right Now' was never sought for or granted by me. My lawyer is dealing with this matter," he tweeted on Monday.
Permission to use "All Right Now" was never sought for or granted by me. My lawyer is dealing with this matter. - Paul
- Paul Rodgers (@_paulrodgers) July 18, 2016
