OK, I lied. The King has not returned from the grave to endorse the senator from Illinois. But it seems every other artist selling records has pledged support for Barack Obama.
The list is varied and impressive.
We're talking everyone from bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley (and McCain thought he had the 80-year-old vote wrapped up) to coke rapper Young Jeezy. I'm glad to see all these popular musicians getting behind the "change" candidate but, really, does an endorsement from Pete Wentz, or even Bob Dylan, mean shit?
"The polls always bear it out: It's nice when musicians get involved, but they don't sway elections," commented Bill Maher at a Democratic National Convention bash thrown by Rolling Stone magazine. "Puff Daddy said, 'Vote or die' — and Puff Daddy might actually kill you – but people still didn't vote."
I hate to be such a cynic, but I think Maher has a point. That said, I hope to be proved wrong.
This article appears in Sep 10-16, 2008.