Soft-Rocking Politician “Still The One” Haunted By His Chest-Baring Past

Yesterday’s New York Times profiled the continuing political career of John Hall, the former guitarist for ’70s act Orleans (you may remember their hit “Still the One,” aka “The song that made you buy a Burger King chicken sandwich in 1992“). Last week, the New York congressman became “the first bona fide rock ‘n’ roll musician in the House of Representatives,” and his discography both helped and hurt his efforts to be taken seriously:

Mr. Hall, who won a crowded primary for the Democratic nomination, began with a campaign fund of $57,000 to [opponent Sue W. Kelly]’s $900,000. But having famous friends didn’t hurt.

“I didn’t have Exxon or Mobil, but I had Jackson and Bonnie and Pete,” Mr. Hall said. Their concerts in the Hudson Valley area not only raised money — Mr. Browne’s netted $100,000 in two days — but also generated publicity.

Mr. Hall, who is usually serious and low-key, became emotional when talking about the relationship between music and politics. “Jackson sang a song, ‘Waiting Here for Every Man,’ ” Mr. Hall said, his voice catching as he referred to Mr. Browne’s “For Everyman,” “which I remember from his first album, a song that struck me as being about the lethargy and apathy and fatalism of most Americans while they wait for someone to please sort out this mess.”

The campaign was intense. At one point, an unsigned flier circulated with the message: “John Hall, wrong for America.” It featured Mr. Hall from his rock days, long-haired and bare-chested.

Well, it’s hard to blame his opponent for their last-ditch attempt to play up on Hall’s past; it’s the same reason why D’Angelo will never lobby for his “voodoo economics.” Besides, if you’re a Republican, this Orleans cover has nearly three times the amount of visible male nipple allowed under GOP guidelines.

Mr. Rock ‘n’ Roll Goes to Congress [NY Times]