Survivor stars Frankie Sullivan and Jim Peterik were left "surprised and dismayed" to discover their Rocky III anthem 'Eye of the Tiger' was used to mark the jail release of Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis this week.
Davis, who was jailed last week for refusing to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples in her state on religious grounds stood alongside Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee at a rally in Grayson immediately following her release as the rock hit played in the background.
Survivor founding member and 'Eye of the Tiger' co-writer Jim Peterik was far from amused and he has released a statement to Billboard making it clear that the band did not authorise the song's use.
He writes, "I was very surprised and dismayed at the misuse of the song I co-wrote with Frankie Sullivan for Rocky lll. The song has motivated thousands through the years to reach beyond their limits. Its use for the release of Kim Davis does not support my views or my politics. I have contacted my publishers to make sure this usage is stopped immediately."
And Sullivan added his thoughts on Facebook, writing, "We did not grant Kim Davis any rights to use my tune - The Eye Of The Tiger."
WENN.com