Rock The Vote

Although only my father would call "Dance With Me" and "Still The One" Rock.

Ex-Rocker John Hall Wins Upset in NY Congressional Race

NEW YORK John Hall, leader of the rock group Orleans that recorded such hits as "Still the One" and "Dance With Me," has won a stunning upset in his race for Congress in upstate New York, narrowly defeating Republican incumbent Sue Kelly 51%-49%.

Hall's views on the differences between political and music journalists were recently profiled on E&P Online. At one point, he had to struggle to be taken seriously by the press as a policy man. He ended up gaining the endorsements of all four top dailies in his district.

The upset was more surprising, as this contest was never on the national Democratic Party's list of most likely pickups.

Hall closed his victory speech by singing Steven Van Zandt's song "I Am A Patriot." [ I soooo love that song - GT12] Numerous musicians played benefits for Hall throughout the campaign, though he was still badly outspent by his opponent. They included Bonnie Raitt, Steve Earle, Pete Seeger and Jackson Browne.

Hall, who ran as an antiwar candidate, is also an environmental activist and drew wide labor backing. He was a key organizer of the fabled "No Nukes" concert and movie in 1979.

He recently appeared on the Colbert Report and fared well, even singing "Still the One" with the host, in an appearance that was seen as drawing much interest in the campaign.