posted on July 19, 2004 02:53:57 PM new
Vegas Casino Boots Singer Linda Ronstadt
19 minutes ago
LAS VEGAS - Singer Linda Ronstadt (news) not only got booed, she got the boot after lauding filmmaker Michael Moore and his new movie "Fahrenheit 9/11" during a performance at the Aladdin hotel-casino.
Before singing "Desperado" for an encore Saturday night, the 58-year-old rocker called Moore a "great American patriot" and "someone who is spreading the truth." She also encouraged everybody to see the documentary about President Bush (news - web sites).
Ronstadt's comments drew loud boos and some of the 4,500 people in attendance stormed out of the theater. People also tore down concert posters and tossed cocktails into the air.
"It was a very ugly scene," Aladdin President Bill Timmins told The Associated Press. "She praised him and all of a sudden all bedlam broke loose."
Timmins, who is British and was watching the show, decided Ronstadt had to go — for good. Timmins said he didn't allow Ronstadt back in her luxury suite and she was escorted off the property.
Ronstadt's antics "spoiled a wonderful evening for our guests and we had to do something about it," Timmins said.
Timmins said it was the first time he sent a performer packing.
"As long as I'm here, she's not going to play," Timmins said.
Ronstadt had been booked to play the Aladdin for only one show.
Calls to Ronstadt's manager were not immediately returned.
In an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal before the show, Ronstadt said "I keep hoping that if I'm annoying enough to them, they won't hire me back."
Looks like she got her wish.
Looks as if money talks and BS walks... Aladin knows who actually spends the money there...
posted on July 19, 2004 03:33:24 PM new
I think the Eagles did Despardo much better anyway
Ok, IMHO, entertainers who are there to entertain should not be on a political soapbox when people paid good money to listen to her music not her politics.
posted on July 19, 2004 03:36:34 PM new
I have to agree about political statements made during a show for which you paid good money. However, it's just another case of squelching free speech. She had every right to say what she did. At least she used to have every right. Just like she is free to say it, people are free to act like adults and ignore her and not little children throwing tantrums. Their actions don't sound very adult-like to me.
posted on July 19, 2004 03:42:29 PM new
Oooh... Linda Ronstadt. Big deal. I couldn't imagine a large majority of her fans being into the movie to begin with. This article would be more informative if we knew more about her audience. That would give you a good clue as to why this happened. First off, who pays $90-200 to see Linda perform anyways???
posted on July 19, 2004 03:42:49 PM new
Ignoring her was not the answer, She does not have the right to spout political statements while under contract to entertain...
I am betting had this been the other way cheryl and she would called Moore unamercian for saying that... you would be all over this...
But because these people didn't want to hear her views on about some fat a$$ loser... you think they should of just ignored her LOL...
She hasn't lost the right to free speech, she said it and the people expressed their free speech back... worked just like it was supposed to.
posted on July 19, 2004 03:43:22 PM new
:k, IMHO, entertainers who are there to entertain should not be on a political soapbox when people paid good money to listen to her music not her politics. ::
I agree NTS!! <who gives a ratzbackside when you come to get entertained?>
I don't disagree. I would not have wanted to hear that if I were a paying customer and I was paying to hear the music. There is a time and place for political statements and that wasn't the time or the place. I think the behavior of the audience was over the edge and should have been treated as vandalism. Teenagers have been known to do the same things in hotel rooms. Only they aren't applauded for it. They could have walked out without causing damage. That's what rational sober adults do.
posted on July 19, 2004 03:51:22 PM new
"I keep hoping that if I'm annoying enough to them, they won't hire me back."
I think that line says it all right there. She knew what would happen and staged it on purpose. For all we know, she could have been entertaining the Republican National Committee or something.
This all sounds like a big PR stunt. Not a real bright one... Whatever happened to the Dixie Chicks? Did they ever make a comeback? I never liked them even before their problems, so I haven't really paid attention to their fate.
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We do not stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing -- Anonymous
posted on July 19, 2004 07:18:42 PM newit's just another case of squelching free speech.
Her free speech was not squelched. She said what she wanted to say and the audience reacted the way they wanted to.
I applaud them.
Maybe some think the audience should have had their mouths taped shut and should have been tied to their chairs so they'd be forced to listen to that crap.
Nope....last time I checked this is still America.
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k, IMHO, entertainers who are there to entertain should not be on a political soapbox when people paid good money to listen to her music not her politics. ::