if there were potential copyright issues (like if Chuck Berry's estate or whatever sued due to likeness), wouldn't they have arisen when Earthbound was first released?
The lack of the Internet back in the days made it easier for things to slip through the cracks. That, and the RIAA had yet to become the sue-happy MAFIAA in the 90's.
From: ninkendo | #008
y Runner bears a resemblance to the intro to “Won’t Get Fooled Again” by The Who:
YEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH
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Mmmmph mmmmph, mmmmm mmmmmp mmmmmph. Mmmmmph mpm!
Mmmmmph mph mm! Hm mmmmmph, hmmmmph mm mmmmmph mmmmmph!