San Jose Sharks Change Goal Celebration Song

The San Jose Sharks have informed their ticket holders that they will be doing away with their current goal celebration song, “Rock and Roll, Part 2” by Gary Glitter—and with good reason.Glitter was convicted in the United Kingdom for crimes against children and is now serving a 16-year sentence for his crimes.

As reported by the Santa Cruz Sentinel, the Sharks sent out an email with the following message:

"Each offseason, we review all aspects of our organization s operation to ensure we are providing our fans the best in-game experience possible at SAP Center at San Jose. As we approach the start of our 25th anniversary season in 2015-16, we have some important news that we wanted you, as a Season Ticket Holder, to hear first.We are changing the team s traditional goal song, which has historically been “Rock and Roll, Part 2” by Gary Glitter. As you may be aware, earlier this year, Mr. Glitter was convicted of several horrific sexual abuse crimes which involved minors. He is serving a 16-year prison sentence in the United Kingdom.The discussion as to whether the Sharks should play “Rock and Roll, Part 2” as our goal song has come up before. While we understand this song may have been an integral part of some fans game-night experience, we feel emphatically that we cannot ignore the connection between the song and the recent, very serious criminal conviction of the song s artist. Thus, we believe it is time to alter this aspect of our in-game entertainment and begin a new tradition.As a Sharks Season Ticket Holder, you understand the pulse of Sharks Territory. So it only makes sense to have you involved in the process as we select the new Sharks goal song. You will have the opportunity to rate the new goal song options as we move through the selection process (we ll also be considering feedback from the players).We have created an online destination where you can review and rate each of the goal song options we are considering. In addition, we also want to hear your suggestions. If you feel there are other songs that fit Sharks Territory, let us know."

This seems like a necessary move by the Sharks. Social media makes things go “viral” and creates social movements. By cutting ties with the song, the Sharks are preventing any backlash that could (and most likely would) stem from them using the song. Plus, in 2014, Sports Illustrated ranked the Sharks’ goal song as 29^th in the League. So, it’s pretty clear they needed a change anyway.

To be honest, I didn’t even realize what song this was by the title. I never attended a Sharks game and I guess I never really paid attention to their goal song if I watched a game on TV. But once I Googled it, I was reminded of my childhood. This song has been on Jock Jams CDs (did I just age myself?) and is one of those song that was probably playing on every radio station in the ’90s.

It is a great song for sporting events, but alas, it has been tainted by the singer’s illicit actions. And while I am sure Sharks fans are going to miss hearing that song when a goal is scored, I believe it is pretty cool that they’ll have a say in the team’s new celebratory song.

The Sharks organization has told fans they can write in their own ideas for songs or can pick from the following.:“Holiday” by Green Day, “Electric Worry” by Clutch, “Burn it to the Ground” by Nickelback, “Break Away” by CFO$ and “Uprising” by Muse.

Personally, “Uprising” reminds me of the Washington Capitals. When I covered them back in the 2009-10 season they always played that song before a game. It is a great song, I just don’t know if I’d want it to be the goal song for my team.

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