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It’s not just for the thrill of the fight that former Survivor guitarist Frankie Sullivan is suing Newt Gingrich.
In a federal court lawsuit filed Monday in Chicago, Mr. Sullivan alleges that the former U.S. House Speaker has been illegally using his band’s signature song, “Eye of the Tiger,” as his entrance music at campaign events as he vies for the Republican presidential nomination.
The song, made famous during Rocky Balboa’s training montages in “Rocky III,” has been a favorite of Mr. Gingrich’s campaign since 2009, the lawsuit alleges.
Palatine, Ill.-based Rude Music Inc., a music publishing company owned by Mr. Sullivan, is seeking damages and an injunction barring Mr. Gingrich’s campaign from using the song at public appearances.
Mr. Gingrich’s campaign did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Mr. Gingrich is the latest presidential candidate to run afoul of a recording artist for music used at campaign events.
Last year, U.S. Rep. Michele Bachman, R.-Minn., received a cease-and-desist letter from Tom Petty ordering her to quit using his song “American Girl.”
In 1984, Bruce Springsteen struggled to keep himself and his hit “Born in the U.S.A.” from being associated with either the Democratic or Republican presidential bids.