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Ad's Choice of Song Sparks Debate on Artists' Lives

HP yanks tune by pedophile Gary Glitter

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 31, 2008 3:49 PM CDT

(Newser) – HP's decision to change an ad because it featured a song by convicted child molester Gary Glitter has Charlie Moran in Advertising Age wondering about how far we should go in drawing the line between the artist and his art. The ad for the TouchSmart PC drew complaints because it used Joan Jett’s 1982 cover of “Do You Want to Touch Me,” which was written by Glitter.

“As a music listener generally unconcerned with the private lives of his favorite artists, this is more than a little troubling,” Moran says, “and while Gary Glitter has an exceptionally disturbing past, it makes me wonder if this is a slippery slope.” The British rocker, incidentally, will collect $156,000 in royalties.

Gary Glitter was convicted of possessing child pornography in the UK and child molestation in Vietnam. He was recently thrown back into media when he was released from his prison term.
Gary Glitter was convicted of possessing child pornography in the UK and child molestation in Vietnam. He was recently thrown back into media when he was released from his prison term.   (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)
HP has pulled the Joan Jett ad from British airwaves, although reportedly it hasn't run there. In the US, the computer maker changed the music.
HP has pulled the Joan Jett ad from British airwaves, although reportedly it hasn't run there. In the US, the computer maker changed the music.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
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Hewlett Packard Touch PC commercial with the song "Do You Wanna Touch Me" performed by Joan Jett   (SzegenyDzsoni)

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