Journey’s Neal Schon took to Twitter to talk about the time they were sponsored by Bud Light back in 1980. He recalled being ‘crucified’ by the media for the band having a sponsor; he wrote:
“We were the first band to ever have sponsorship! We got crucified by Rolling Stone for it. Lol, now look at all the sponsorships bands have.”
Talking about Bud Light, the brand has been under fire once again; however, it’s not over a band sponsorship. The boycott started a few months ago when Bud Light collaborated with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Mulvaney posted a video of herself dressed as Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, celebrating March Madness and her first year of womanhood.
This video caused not only backlash from the public but also hit the best-selling beer stocks hard. There were several reactions from rockers, including Travis Tritt, who banned the Bud Light beers from his tour, alongside John Rich and Kid Rock, who decided not to stock the beers in their bars anymore. On the other hand, there were artists and bar owners like Garth Brooks who chose to keep the beers flowing.
One rocker that also praised people that boycotted big brands like Bud Light, Anheuser Busch, and Target; was none other than Ted Nugent, who expressed on The Nightly Nuge:
“I salute Americans for sucker-punching Anheuser Busch and Target. They are losing billions of dollars because they are giving the consumers the finger. When a company gives the consumer the finger, don’t give them any more of your money; it’s that simple.”
You can read Neal Schon’s tweet below and watch The Nightly Nuge clip here.
We were the first band to Ever have sponsorship! We got crucified by Rollinstone for it. Lol now look at all the sponsorships bands have.
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) July 12, 2023
