Rage Against the Machine topples 'American Idol's Simon Cowell
Tired of the holiday music status quo, Jon and Tracy Morter took to Facebook to get fans rallied to turn the music sale tides away from Cowell's "The X Factor" creation Joe McElderry's Miley Cyrus cover, "The Climb" in favor of Rage Against the Machine's "Killing In The Name." Apparently it worked: Rage outsold McElderry by 50,000 copies to clinch the title 2009 Christmas No. 1 single.
According to BBC News, Zack de la Rocha from Rage is "very, very ecstatic about being number one."
"It says more about the spontaneous action taken by young people throughout the UK to topple this very sterile pop monopoly," De la Rocha says.
McElderry, 18, praised the campaign, adding: "It's been exciting to be part
of a much-hyped battle and they definitely deserve congratulations."
Cowell called the campaign "cynical and stupid, and a personal attack."
Rage band members said they would say thanks to the fans by giving a free concert and record proceeds to charity.
Follow Zap2it on Twitter and Facebook for all your movies, TV and celebrity news
Related:
'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell wants to bring 'X Factor' to Las Vegas
Jedward meets Calvin Harris' pineapple on 'X Factor'
Simon Cowell's 'American Idol' contract may include 'The X Factor'
Photo credit: WireImage
Simon should get a life. The Christmas No. 1 is a big deal in the UK and has been for a very long time, and obviously Cowell's company times the release for their X-Factor singles specifically to peak as the Christmas No. 1.
So good on RAtM. One good cynical ploy deserves another.
Sorry Simon, I am happy that the UK is over your annual Christmas number 1!!!!
I agree. The Climb is just about the blandest song I've heard in ages. I'm sick and tired of this pre-packaged pop dominating the charts. It's about time that both America and the UK stop listening to what Simon says we should like in music. Let's decide for ourselves!!!
Simon Cowell's reaction to the campaign just proves the point they were making! Very funny stuff. But somehow I can't see it keeping him down for long, there's more money to be made.