Nils Lofgren, a guitarist for Bruce Springsteen and a bandmate of Neil Young’s, is the latest musician to remove his solo work from Spotify in protest of Joe Rogan’s misrepresentation about the COVID-19 vaccination.
In protest of the podcaster, Lofgren, 70, joined Canadian icons Neil Young and Joni Mitchell in pulling their music off the streaming site.
Also read: Read Neil Young’s open letter to Spotify on Joe Rogan’s podcast
“A few days ago, my wife Amy and I became aware of Neil and Daryl [Hannah] standing with hundreds of health care professionals, scientists, doctors and nurses in calling out Spotify for promoting lies and misinformation that are hurting and killing people,” on Saturday, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer wrote in Young’s newsletter.
“When these heroic women and men, who’ve spent their lives healing and saving ours, cry out for help you don’t turn your back on them for money and power. You listen and stand with them.”
On his famous show “The Joe Rogan Experience,” Rogan has promoted unfounded conspiracy theories and anti-vaccination themes.
Also read: Who is Neil Young?
According to internal memos acquired by The Verge, Spotify administrators determined that his comments “didn’t reach the bar for removal” based on standards that allow podcasters to critique medical advice.
“We apply our policies consistently and objectively,” Spotify PR leader Dustee Jenkins reportedly told employees. “They are not influenced by the media cycle, calls from any one individual or from external partners. It doesn’t mean I personally agree with this content. But I trust our policies and the rationale behind them.”
Lofgren urged all musicians and fans to cut links with the 172 million-strong streaming service, which has been chastised for paying artists a fraction of a penny per stream.
“We encourage all musicians, artists and music lovers everywhere, to stand with us all, and cut ties with Spotify,” the Crazy Horse and E Street band veteran wrote. “Music is our planet’s sacred weapon, uniting and healing billions of souls every day. Pick up your sword and start swinging.”
Also read: Spotify to remove Neil Young’s music over his objections to Joe Rogan’s podcast
Lofgren urged all musicians and fans to cut links with the 172 million-strong streaming service, which has been chastised for paying artists pennies per stream.
“We encourage all musicians, artists and music lovers everywhere, to stand with us all, and cut ties with Spotify,” the Crazy Horse and E Street band veteran wrote. “Music is our planet’s sacred weapon, uniting and healing billions of souls every day. Pick up your sword and start swinging.”