Linda Ronstadt, Michael Moore, and Las Vegas

some things just don't mix

Published on July 19, 2004 By Gene Nash In Current Events

Local media outlets are reporting Linda Ronstadt had a trying time during her concert at the Aladdin resort in Las Vegas this weekend.

Ms. Ronstadt is currently on tour with what was billed (locally, at least) as a greatest hits show. Things got off to a bad start when she announced up front to the audience that they shouldn't expect to hear her sing her hit songs. She then proceed to make insulting comments about Las Vegas and the venue where she was staying and playing, the Aladdin resort. It only got uglier when -- as she's apparently been doing throughout her tour -- she dedicated the song Desperado to controversial filmmaker Michael Moore.

The audience revolted. Aladdin President Bill Timmins told The Associated Press, "She praised him and all of a sudden all bedlam broke loose." Ms. Ronstadt was showered with boos. Audience members got up and left. According to AP reports, cocktails were thrown and posters were torn down. Local columnist Norm Clarke reported a "mob scene" at the box office demanding refunds.

Aladdin management's response was swift and curt. They had her room closed and escorted her off the property. "And she will not be welcomed back," said Aladdin P.R. director Tyri Squyres.

Comments (Page 1)

bakerstreet

on Jul 19, 2004

I wonder what the insulting statements were?

Kind of funny, though. You have riots elsewhere in the world and people die. In the US the news reports say "cocktails were thrown and posters were torn down"

!!!

When the middle class begins throwing their cocktails the world should quake. Next, they'll be whacking people in effigy with their Italian shoes.

Gene Nash

on Jul 20, 2004

I wonder what the insulting statements were?

I'm trying to find out. My best source would have been a Linda Ronstadt message board, but it appears the administrator deleted the relevant messages. Grrr. I'm trying to find a non-journalist who was actually there.

Original reports indicated the comments were made at the concert, but the only review I could find only referred to insults she had made in an interview with the Las Vegas Review Journal on Friday. A lot of people canceled their tickets after that interview, in which she called Vegas "a strange, weird place" and said "Each time, I couldn't wait to get out." That article concluded:

Anyone who disagrees with that is welcome to get in line, behind whoever she manages to rile at the Aladdin this time.

"I keep hoping that if I'm annoying enough to them, they won't hire me back," she says with a laugh.

So it appears she went in there with a chip on her shoulder.

Squyres, the Aladdin P.R. director, said half the audience left. That would be at least 2000 people. Wow.

Linda Ronstadt is undeterred, though. According to this account from a Linda Ronstadt message board, a similar uprising occurred the next night in San Diego.

Linda was great tonight!!! However when she dedicated Desperado to Michael Moore part of the audience went nuts! Trash talked, booed, and stormed out. What's up with that?? Desperado is one of my favorites and unfortunately it was difficult to hear her over the bull****.
The postings about the Vegas show indicate the MM dedication drew a similar response there.

Desperado was her final song tonight before she left the stage with not so much as a thank you or good night. No bows from Linda or the orchestra and no encores. Seemed like an abrupt ending. We overheard a couple of ushers saying she was scheduled to perform 2 more songs. Anyone know if that's true?

She has a long encore she's been forced to cut several times because of the negative reaction to her support of Moore.

Kind of funny, though. You have riots elsewhere in the world and people die. In the US the news reports say "cocktails were thrown and posters were torn down"

!!!

When the middle class begins throwing their cocktails the world should quake. Next, they'll be whacking people in effigy with their Italian shoes.

Yeah, we're wild, aren't we? Fill people up with Vegas cocktails and look at the madness that ensues! We just don't know how to throw a riot around here.

kingbee

on Jul 20, 2004

for some reason i seem to remember her having some sort of substance problem in the past. the impression i took away after hearing a report by abc's local affiliate's 'entertainment guru' was she was intoxicated. i guess having people toss cocktails at you is one way of gettin free drinks.

bakerstreet

on Jul 20, 2004

Really strange, sounds like she wanted that reaction. Maybe she thought she'd make a few magazine covers like the Dixie Chicks? Has been a while since had any attention.

Linda Zientek

on Jul 20, 2004

I guess Linda didn't hear that we can't express our feeling about our government anymore . The dixie chicks learned their lesson.If you are not for this President keep it to yourself or pay the price.

Linda

on Jul 20, 2004

CS Guy

on Jul 20, 2004

Yes, you pay the price of your customers expressing their rights to not give you money.

messybuu

on Jul 20, 2004

I'm sure of Marilyn Manson were to criticize the President, his fans wouldn't be up in arms about it. It's more about not alienating your fans.

George from NY

on Jul 20, 2004

hard to believe there are still people around who object to the right of having an opinion on anyone disagreeing with their own...

You don't have to agree with them; in fact they don't have to agree with you either. That's why ice cream comes in 237 flavors, and most of them are great , if you like flavors in your life. If you like plain vanilla all the time , that's OK too, for you. Personally, I like Mocha Moore and Loganberry Limbaugh both - They compliment each other in the flavor tasting of real life...

Learn to enjoy it all people - you'll live longer.

Draginol

on Jul 20, 2004

I wish they'd just shut up and sing. They're singers. They abuse their celebrity when they start making audiences listen to their ignorant political opinions.

I support their right to give their opinion though. And I support the right of consumers to choose not to pay to listen to it.

Castle

on Jul 20, 2004

I wish they'd just shut up and sing. They're singers. They abuse their celebrity when they start making audiences listen to their ignorant political opinions.I support their right to give their opinion though. And I support the right of consumers to choose not to pay to listen to it.

Draginol.....I think you just hit the nail square on the head! If I pay to see a singer and then have to listen to a political rant (and one in support of a scumbag like Moore no less) I might walk out rather unhappy. If Im the owner of the establishment hosting an event where 25% of the people walk out........I might be inclined to hand the "talent" their walking papers. Regardless of political affiliation, it makes good business sense.

I find it interesting that the left has no problems with the NAACP censoring Bill Cosby's free speech and yet have a big problem with this......very telling indeed.

WiseFawn

on Jul 21, 2004

I think she made statements at the end of her concert. She has every right to dedicate one of her songs. There are many celebrities that feel they have a responsibilty and should use their voice for good while they are on the stage.

Castle

on Jul 21, 2004

I think she made statements at the end of her concert. She has every right to dedicate one of her songs. There are many celebrities that feel they have a responsibilty and should use their voice for good while they are on the stage.

WiseFawn
Do you feel the same way about the NAACP telling Bill Cosby to stick to comedy in his speech? Of course the NAACP knew his opinions didn't jive with theirs so they censored him. Oh, and Mr. Cosby was gracious enough to adhere to their wishes.

WiseFawn

on Jul 21, 2004

I have not read or heard enough about it to make any kind of statement. But it isn't quite the same, is it? Other than feeling the responsibility. I've recently been to the NAACP site, I'll check back to see if it mentions Bill Cosby.

WiseFawn

on Jul 21, 2004

hmm, in glancing over their home page, I see concern about WIC, calling everyone to vote, and to vote Bush out, by the way, awards, etc. Maybe you can point me to something?

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