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Rock

Survivor Did Not Grant Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis Rights to 'Eye of the Tiger'

By Katie Atkinson
9/8/2015
By Katie Atkinson
9/8/2015
Survivor Frankie Sullivan
Rex Features via AP Images

Survivor perform at the Divots Event Center on Sept. 2, 2012 in Norfolk, Nebraska.

It might be Kim Davis' favorite hype-up song, but Survivor says it did not grant the embattled Kentucky county clerk the rights to use "Eye of the Tiger" at her get-out-of-jail rally.

Davis -- who was jailed for refusing to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples in her state -- stood alongside Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee at a rally in Grayson, Ky., on Tuesday (Sept. 8) as the Survivor anthem made famous by Rocky III played in the background.

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Artist Mentioned

Survivor founding member and "Eye of the Tiger" co-writer Jim Peterik sent a statement to Billboard making clear that the band did not authorize the song's use at Tuesday's rally.

"I was very surprised and dismayed at the misuse of the song I co-wrote with Frankie Sullivan for Rocky lll," he said. "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."

Sullivan, meanwhile, took to Facebook to let his followers know he did not support Davis' crusade. "We did not grant Kim Davis any rights to use 'My Tune -The Eye Of The Tiger.' I would not grant her the rights to use Charmin!" he wrote.

See his full Facebook post below:

 

TMZ is reporting that the group is considering a lawsuit over the use of their song.

NO! We did not grant Kim Davis any rights to use "My Tune -The Eye Of The Tiger." I would not grant her the rights to...

Posted by Frankie Sullivan on Tuesday, September 8, 2015

By Katie Atkinson
9/8/2015

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