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Dave Mustaine, Johnny Ramone, ZZ Top And A Few Other Right-Wing Rockers

Most people wouldn't associate right-wing conservative politics with dirty rock and rollers, but you would be surprised. Not all rock cats are card-carrying communists and lily-livered liberals trying to save the sacred animal of the week and converting their buses to biodiesel. In fact, many old-guard rock acts are dyed in the wool Republicans, and some are even known to play certain fundraisers and conventions for the Grand Old Party's $1000-a-ticket shindigs.

Variety is what makes rock and roll the living, breathing thing that it is. It wouldn't be very interesting if everyone who picked up a guitar subscribed to one sole ideology. As far as Rocks Off is concerned, if they are still making solid music and aren't writing a concept double albums casting Rush Limbaugh as a marauding Viking in the 1300s, then let them do what they want.

OK, a Limbaugh album would be kinda cool... we guess.

Dave Mustaine, Megadeth: Megadeth lead singer Dave Mustaine has always treaded on the right side of the political spectrum, but his leanings became pronounced in the band's music just a few years ago. Recently, Mustaine hooked up with Austin radio host Alex Jones for a two-part interview detailing his views on the supposed New World Order.

Kid Rock: Kid Rock has been a staunch supporter of our military's policies in Iraq, rallying behind the troops and touring extensively for the USO. Rock's politics land him on the right side of the fence, but not so far over that he is danger of becoming the 21st-century Ted Nugent.

Johnny Ramone: Late NRA proponent Johnny Ramone was an anachronism in punk rock. Where his peers were leftists and skewed liberal in most social causes, Ramone was one of the sole right-wingers. He went to military school for most of his adolescence, and kept the same work ethic all the way through the Ramones years. Johnny was the reason the band toured so extensively, seeing the group more as a military operation than a band of punk-rock pioneers.

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Craig Hlavaty
Contact: Craig Hlavaty