Yes, you read the title correctly. The legendary singer, songwriter and visual artist Grace Slick has never been one to hold back her beliefs. And that didn’t change when she was recently approached by an ad agency that asked for permission to use her vocal in an ad that contained the Jefferson Starship song “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.”
The vocal on the song was recorded in 1987. Licensing out her music is nothing new for Grace Slick. Big name corporations have used her talents during a career that now spans over five decades. But this offer was different. This ad agency was representing fast food chain Chic-fil-A known for homophobic statements and philanthropy. In a Forbes op-ed, Slick writes:
“Chick-fil-A pisses me off. The Georgia-based company has a well-documented history of funding organizations, through their philanthropic foundation WinShape, that are against gay marriage. In interviews, CEO Dan T. Cathy has critiqued gay-rights supporters who “have the audacity to define marriage” and said they are bringing “God’s judgment” upon the nation.”
Unlike Dan T. Cathy, Slick writes she firmly believes in equal/same-sex marriage and is passionately against anyone who would attempt to suppress that right. So her first thought when asked by Chick-fil-A was to say “F*ck no!”
The activist writes she thought about it a bit more and decided that rather than turn down the offer (and yes that was her voice you heard on the Chick-fil-A commercial during the Grammy Awards telecast) she would donate every dime to Lambda Legal. The organization is the largest national legal organization that advocates for the civil rights of LGBTQ people, and anyone living with HIV. She says rather than sending Chic-fil-A packing only for them to use someone else’s song, Slick saw an opportunity to turn the tables and strike back at anti-LGBTQ forces by using the money to support causes Chick-fil-A is against, while making an example of them.
“See, I come from a time when artists didn’t just sell their soul to the highest bidder, when musicians took a stand, when the message of songs was “feed your head," not ‘feed your wallet.’ We need that kind of artistic integrity today, more than ever. We won’t produce quality art if we don’t keep ourselves open to all people and possibilities, if we don’t put our money where our mouths are.
As Jennifer Lopez quoted Toni Morrison during the Grammys telecast, ‘This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self pity, no need for silence, and no room for fear. We do language. That is how civilizations heal.’'”
The singer says she knows that some people might think she’s writing to protect her reputation after allowing a company she finds morally objectionable to use Starship’s music, but says, “I haven’t covered my ass since the day I was born...” She said she agreed to license the song to set an example for other artists that there their art will survive and thrive without having to sell out to companies who support intolerance. She says artist can use their music and gifts to help stop the forces of bigotry, adding:
“Don’t be afraid to take a stand. You’re an artist; that’s what we do.”
Below is is the original video of Grace Slick singing “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.”
Here is Gracie Slick in 1967 on The Smothers Brothers Show singing international hit, “White Rabbit.”
Kudos to Ms. Slick.