Artists 'SELLING OUT' - can we discuss?

An artist owns his music--of course he can sell it. The Beatles sold the rights to their music and now Michael Jackson owns it.

My point is this: I do value certain compositions to the point that I am at times annoyed with association to a product. This does not make for good marketing.

Still, probably the best marketing use of a song was the introduction of Windows 'latest' software release some time ago, when they probably paid the Rolling Stones a fortune for the use of "Start ME Up'. This did not bother me.

The use of a John Lennon tune would in most cases bother me to the point of boycott.

Does it make sense to get worked up about a song that was simply performed and not written by the Artist? Like with the Elvis tune, he didnt write many songs himself correct?

Chadnliz, I understand your point now. I do have several copies of VIVA LAS VEGAS that have been performed by many different artists [The Dead Kennedys version is a favorite]. But changing the lyrics for a BONER DRUG ?!!!!

Unclejeff, The Rolling Stones are now a corporate enterprise and stopped being a R&R band years ago. They should only be allowed to perform a concert once a year...at a Halloween house of horrors! Talk about scaring the kids...geez!

..artists have to "sell-out" because they usually get ripped off by their own record companies....;)

IMO: Artists have always "sold" out, nothing new.