Joan Jett orders SeaWorld to stop torturing whales with “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”

SeaWorld’s lacking in celebrity love these days: Willie Nelson, Heart and Barenaked Ladies all cancelled performances at the Orlando water park in the wake of the controversial documentary Blackfish, which exposed its alleged inhumane treatment of whales. Now Joan Jett, who already gained attention for her animal rights crusade when she was booted from a Macy’s Thanksgiving Day float, is demanding that SeaWorld stop using recordings of her music in its “Shamu Rocks” show. (After a similar request from Tommy Lee last year, the show is also prohibited from using Mötley Crüe songs.)

In an open letter to Jim Atchison, SeaWorld’s president and CEO, Jett wrote:

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I was surprised and upset to see on YouTube that SeaWorld used “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” as the opening music for its cruel and abusive “Shamu Rocks” show. I’m among the millions who saw Blackfish and am sickened that my music was blasted without my permission at sound-sensitive marine mammals. These intelligent and feeling creatures communicate by sonar and are driven crazy in the tiny tanks in which they are confined. If I don’t receive written confirmation that SeaWorld will cease and desist from using any Joan Jett & the Blackhearts music, I will be forced to take further action, and you’ll find me among the PETA protesters outside your parks.

Sea World’s reliance on cruelty and captivity for commerce has been widely exposed. I hope you’ll take the respectable path and release the captive orcas to coastal sanctuaries so that they can live out their lives with other orcas in nature. This move would show that your company is truly family-friendly.

Here’s the video Jett was likely referring to:

h/t Gothamist

Salon.com

Joan Jett orders SeaWorld to stop torturing whales with “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”

Joan Jett switches from Macy"s South Dakota float after protest

A trade group for ranchers in South Dakota complained about Joan Jett’s placement on the state’s float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

• NEW: Jett says she wants to be on another float because of “people’s political agendas”


• Joan Jett & the Blackhearts are kicked off the float after cattlemen protest to Macy’s


• “We were rightly concerned about her representing South Dakota,” ranchers’ rep says


• Jett supports PETA, which says “the meat trade can’t stand any scrutiny of its cruelty”

(CNN) — Rock star Joan Jett was removed from a parade float representing South Dakota in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade after ranchers protested her appearance, saying she’s a vegetarian and a critic of their livestock production.

Jett is a supporter of People for the Ethic Treatment of Animals, the world’s largest animal rights group that promotes a vegetarian diet and condemns factory farms and ranches.

“I’ve decided to switch from South Dakota to another float because people’s political agendas were getting in the way of what should be a purely entertainment driven event,” Jett said in a statement Saturday. “I will remain focused on entertaining the millions of people watching, who will be celebrating a great American tradition.”

The trade group for ranchers in South Dakota complained about Jett’s placement on the state’s float, CNN affiliate KEVN reported.

“So, of course, when we learned that about Miss Jett, we were rightly concerned about her representing South Dakota and a state that is so heavily reliant on agriculture and livestock production to drive our economy,” Jodie Anderson of the South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association said, according to the station.

A Macy’s spokesman said Jett and her Blackhearts band will be moved to another float, and another undetermined performer will take Jett’s place on the South Dakota float, the affiliate said.

A PETA leader said the controversy reflected what the group deems as problems in the cattle industry.

“Thanks to South Dakota’s reactionary ranchers, people across the country have learned why Joan Jett supports PETA. The meat trade can’t stand any scrutiny of its cruelty,” PETA Senior Vice President Dan Mathews said in a statement.

CNN.com Recently Published/Updated

Joan Jett switches from Macy"s South Dakota float after protest