Do you remember Rock the Vote?
Ok, so 30 years ago (ouch) there was this channel called MTV and MTV played music videos. All day. Unless it was time for MTV News, which was like the Teen Vogue of the time. And there was also…political organizing!
In 1992, the Rock the Vote campaign started appearing on MTV, in part to drive support for the Motor Voter bill, which allowed people to register to vote while applying for their driver’s licenses. Rock the Vote was founded in 1990 by Virgin Records chairman Jeff Ayeroff who wanted to increase voter turnout among young people.
It was a different time.
But back to my point – there were ads, and they were GOOD. No seriously!
To celebrate a great voter turnout and a pretty fucking rad election, let’s visit some late 90s Rock the Vote ads, shall we?
John Leguizamo had the greatest Rock the Vote ad, hands down. This one is my absolute favorite. I still sing this around the house.
“American people, we can vote to change it. If you wanna change it, get your ass to the polls.”
EnVogue did a great a cappella harmony:
I am unsure if this ad with Madonna ever aired. I think it was considered too risqué, which is hilarious given what’s on tv now, and given the ad after this one.
I FORGOT how RAUNCHY this ad with Aerosmith was!
A woman’s place is in the dome!
Lenny Kravitz did a Rock the Vote ad:
Alas, he is not wearing a giant scarf.
Deee-Lite wanted you to vote, too!
“Don’t shut up. Rise up, and vote loud.” – Jody Watley
Even Sonic Youth did a ripping good Rock the Vote spot:
And, last but never least, Chris Cornell:
These ad spots are a relic of a different time, aren’t they? Not just the musicians and artists featured, though many of them are still working today, but the way voting was made into a pop culture moment and movement.
Friday Videos are very grateful to everyone who wanted to change it so they got their ass to the polls.