Las Vegas: At Aladdin, singer rubs wrong way (Linda Ronstadt)

[kskiska]

On edit: Doesn't Wayne Newton own the Aladdin? He did at one time, anyway.

Linda Ronstadt apparently got what she wanted -- to be 86'd from the Aladdin.

In a bizarre performance notable for its bridge-burning comments, Ronstadt inflamed more than her Aladdin audience on Saturday by taking potshots at Las Vegas and dedicating "Desperado" to "Fahrenheit 9/11" filmmaker Michael Moore.

When her show was over, the Aladdin had her checked out of her room and escorted off the premises.

Many walked out during the show, one concertgoer tossed a cocktail on her poster, others defaced her posters and the box office was "a mob scene" of people seeking refunds, according to an Aladdin spokeswoman.

"It's amazing how ugly it got," said Tyri Squyres, director of public relations at the Aladdin.

more…
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Jul-19-Mon-2004/news/24339959.html

[itcfish1]

1. Sorry

but I dont understand what she was trying to do. Desperado is not something good to call anybody. Sounded like she wanted to get thrown out.

[Carni]

7. These lyrics don't look complimentary to me...

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
You been out ridin' fences for so long now
Oh, you're a hard one
I know that you got your reasons
These things that are pleasin' you
Can hurt you somehow

Don't you draw the queen of diamonds boy
She'll beat you if she's able
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet
This somehow doesn't song too complimentary to Moore IMO

Now it seems to me, some fine things
Have been laid upon your table
But you only want the ones that you can't get

Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home
And freedom, oh freedom well, that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walking through this world all alone

Don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
You're losin' all your highs and lows
Ain't it funny how the feeling goes away?

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences, open the gate
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you, before it's too late

"Why don't you come to your senses" ???? Sounds like a slam of F911.

I also despise this song (sorry Eagles fans but it reminds me of ugly times in Junior High lol)

[itcfish1]

10. I Agree

I thought it more of an insult

[ixion]

15. I don't think so...

the most important line from Desperado:

"You better let somebody love you, before it's too late."

I think she was extending a musical hug to Moore.


Linda is no repug.

[Carni]

22. I just don't see it that way

One of the right's fave sayings is that libs are *hateful*...
"You had better let somebody love you before it's too late" seems in my mind to be a stick it up your ass (you hateful man) directed at Moore.

[tedzbear]

31. She didn't mean that Desperado WAS Mr. Moore.

She meant that Desperado IS JUST LIKE the people who support Bush/Cheney, and therefore she dedicated the song's SPIRIT to Mr. Moore and his enlightening film.

Why else would all those red neck gamblers take offense? They knew Desperado was meant to signify THEM.

I love Linda. I will now make it a point to go to her concerts. Maybe she will be our Joan Baez this time around.

:bounce:

[Mr_Charlie]

37. Ronstadt's campaign donations (1979-2004)

needless to say, she's definitely on board!
http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?st=CA&last=Ronstadt&first=Linda

[SiouxJ]

55. Hell yeah. I remember her benefit concerts

back in the late 70's for Dem. candidates. Her and the Eagles, among others. She goes way back supporting Dem. causes. Good for her!

[Merlin]

38. Desperado tells the story of a determined loner; fits Michael perfectly.

It tells the story of a person who is oblivious to the dangers and personal damage caused by the stresses of acting on your own -- without the moderating approval of others.

If Michael listened to the advise of people who cared about him, he wouldn't take such enormous risks, wouldn't put himself under such physically debilitating pressures.

I think Linda's telling Michael he's done enough now at least for a while, and it's time to come in from the cold and start thinking about taking care of himself for once instead of saving the world.

She's right in a way. Moore has no doubt inspired an entire generation of young people to return to the valiant and noble art of political muckraking. Soon these people will take over when he's ready to take a breather.

Viva Michael Moore!

[freemarketer]

66. The song Desperado is a famous one about a woman's love for

her unconventional but honest cowboy boyfriend. I believe Ronstadt dedicating this to Mike Moore, also an honest rogue, was a tribute to the max and can't for the life of me see how anyone could see it otherwise, unless, of course, they were Madonna, Prince, Blondie-type people.

SD

[CheshireCat]

2. Go Linda!

It's good to know that you are still speaking your mind.

[wtmusic]

3. Politics actually upstages "entertainment"....

hate to make the audience think for a moment.

[Mike Daniels]

14. My take on this incident

First, the crowd acted poorly, there's no doubt about that.

However, her concert has been billed in the promotional materials as being half greatest hits/half other material. - She performed at Wolftrap in Northern Virginia and that's how it was billed and she basically pulled the same routine she did here (ignoring the hits for the majority of the concert). I'd fully expect a refund if I was sold a false bill of goods as it seems to be the case here.

As far as political statements, I think artists need to take into consideration their audience and why the audience is there. Most people at a concert by someone like Linda Ronstadt aren't there to be preached to or exposed to the artists opinions. The artist has other venues to express their views such as print or television interview, public appearances at charities or demonstration or even their own recordings. Spouting off when you have a captive audience that has no real choice but to listen to you or walk out seems bad form to me.

Granted if someone goes into a concert by Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen, U2, etc... they probably know that they are going to be exposed to some commentary and they either don't go or deal with it.

However, unless the artist is known for making statements of a political nature in concert, leave the comments for other forms of expression other than at a concert.

[wtmusic]

42. Yes

She's certainly shooting herself in the foot as far as future gigs and future audiences. I know people who have worked with Linda and she can be very obnoxious.

On the other hand, we live in extraordinary times. To her credit she seems almost to believe that it's more important to get the word out than advance her career. That's commendable.

[Carni]

4. Was she slamming Moore?

Desperado doesn't exactly sound like a praise of Moore is it?

Are we talking the same "Desperado" that the Eagles did?

So I take it the crowd was angry with her pro bush sentiment although the article certainly makes it sound like she was evicted for supporting Moore????

Am I missing something here?

[WI_DEM]

5. So she dedicated a song to Michael Moore and some in the

audience got upset and walked out. Well she is well-known to be politically liberal so if they can't take it they shouldn't have gone. As far as not singing her greatest hits, it sounds like she sang "Desperado" which is one and who knows what else she sang. If she sang well then the audience got what they payed for. I see nothing about her performance only her Moore comments and some comments she made about Las Vegas and the Alladin.

[Grins]

8. "...some in the audience got upset and walked out."

Bill Bennett one of them? Or was he at his favorite S&M gambling establishment?

[zbdent]

9. I must be missing something if LR is "politically liberal"

Here's a few examples of why I'm confused:

During the Apartheid era of South Africa, "Sun City" was a resort for the "rich white people" of South Africa. Many in the entertainment industry refused to be booked for shows there. LR played there (in the height of the era).

LR made a guest appearance on the Tonight Show when Robin Quivers (Howard Stern's co-host) was also appearing. Brushed right past RQ and never once turned in her direction, blowing her off and completely ingnoring her. (Damn, that liberal streak there!)

At one point in her career (and I don't recall her announcing the end of this), she announced at the beginning of "sold-out shows" that the entire show would be conducted in Spanish, in honor of her "heritage", which was not widely known to that point, if ever. I believe she said her father was of some lineage. Pissed off a lot of people who paid to hear her hits (looks like she's pulling that stunt again).

"Desperado" is not exactly a song in praise of a person, and the knee-jerk reactionaries left the theatre when they heard that she was dedicating a song to Moore. If they would have stuck around for more than the opening notes, they might have realized that she was dissing him, not praising him. If I would have left the Wayne Newton show at the mere mention of a joke about the Baldwins, then I would have been laughed out of Las Vegas. I also didn't walk out of the Second City show in the Flamingo Hilton when an audience member suggested "Barbara Streisand and Satan" for a comedy bit.

Please show me some fine examples of her "liberalness" if I am incorrect. I am not flaming, I just would like to be correctly informed.

[Myrina]

16. Not sure if this qualifies but in the 70's ...

she and CA Gov "Moonbeam" Jerry Brown were quite the couple.

One would assume from that relationship that she was also a liberal.

[Carni]

19. They also split up

And don't forget E.Taylor who seems quite liberal and is certainly a champion of aids cures was married to John Warner.

I don't think I would aassume LR is a lib based on a previous boyfriend!

[Orangepeel]

28. She also dated Bob Kerrey

so it is more than one previous boyfriend. :shrug:

[DeepModem Mom]

41. I remember Debra Winger dating Kerrey, but not Linda --

could be wrong.

[Orangepeel]

47. Oh, I could be wrong.

I thought I remembered this and got some hits when I googled their names together, but that only means there might be other people who remembered wrong.

[DeepModem Mom]

52. I was curious, and found a correction -- but who knows?

Linda dated a number of attractive men!


"Monday's Eye on Politics column should have said the celebrity dated by former Sen. Bob Kerrey of Nebraska was actress Debra Winger. It also should have said that, in the Vietnam War, Kerrey lost one leg."

http://www.freep.com/news/politics/polcol7_20030707.htm
(Detroit Free Press, not freeper news.)

[mark414]

26. don't forget

mr. james carville and for the life of me can't remember his wife's name...

[zbdent]

33. I was going to mention the very same thing you did

about "liberal by injection", paraphrasing a friend of mine . . .

Oh, and don't forget how Maria Shriver turned her husband into a Liberal Democrat . . .

[tonekat]

6. Yay Linda!

Good for her! Screw the cheap punks of Vegas! Time for all liberal entertainers to take off the gloves!

[donsu]

11. Linda can dedicate her music to whoever she wants to

go Linda, speak your mind. let them walk out, they will miss hearing a great voice.

[LibDemAlways]

12. "The Aladdin had her check out of her room..

and escorted off the premises..." So now an entertainer who dares to say anything political gets the suitcase on the street treatment? Of course this isn't anything really new. The Smothers Brothers lost their CBS show years ago because of their anti-Vietnam sentiment. Linda was also met with boos at Wolf Trap last week when some repukes interrupted Desperado after she dedicated it to Moore. I think her dedication is fitting...Moore is standing practically alone - one guy bucking the political establishment and corporate media. Even our candidate won't publically support him in his effort to get the truth out there.

[Baltimoreboy]

39. You didn't note that she also dissed Las Vegas

Perhaps her last song should have been a cover of "Leaving Las Vegas."

[LibDemAlways]

46. Dissing Vegas is a Vegas tradition...

It's a staple of Vegas comedians. Whatever she said couldn't have been any worse than what routinely passes for comedy in lounges on the strip. It was the politics that got her into trouble.

[Baltimoreboy]

59. Who knows

When comedians diss, they use humor. Perhaps she failed in that regard.

[osaMABUSh]

13. Was she dissing Moore or praising him? Either way it's more

pub for F 9/11.

Vegas acts...how pathetic...

Make some real music or hang it up. We can turn on the oldies station if want to hear 70's 'rock'.

[DeepModem Mom]

18. I spent some time with Linda some years ago -- I think she dedicated...

her most requested song, the beautiful "Desperado," to Michael Moore, honoring him with the singing of that song. Like many artists, she's not ordinary, she's different. And she's not dumb -- in fact, she's very intelligent, which is one reason she hit it off for so long with Jerry Brown, in his young cerebral days. She is most definitely liberal in her political views.

She's serious about her music, singing old standards and even operetta, and serious about her Latin heritage -- and if she wants to sing that kind of music, that's what she'll sing. She knows her voice is extraordinary.

She's been performing, and recording, from a very young age. She's been a sexpot, and is one no longer. She has a weight problem, and two adopted kids, and no husband. She's different from the rest of us women in a lot of ways, but the same in many. I suspect she needs to work, but it may be that Vegas is very hard for her to do, and that it's hard for her to sing the songs she sang when she was a young, sexy girl on roller skates, involved in a highly-publicized romance with the governor of California.

I say, give her a break, and applaud her for speaking out.

[Merlin]

40. I'm sure that in many ways she identifies with Moore's independence.

As I noted in my post above, Desperado is an incredible paen to a person of enormous independence who is determined to retain it even at the expense of damage to ones fortunes and personal pressures.

The song lyrics have always been understood as applying to a person who doesn't want to share him/herself. But they apply equally well to a crusader who refuses to listen to the cautions of those who care about him/her.

I'm sure the courageously independent Ronstadt has found herself--like most of us on this board--fighting the culture around her. I'm sure she has struggled--again as many here who are in business do--with the internal battle over whether to let your views be heard, even at the expense of personal popularity and good fortune.

What she did in the amoral playground of capitalism is to dare to express views that were not endorsed by the establishment. In this case "establishment" meant also literally her venue.

Viva Linda!

[Carni]

17. I think the audience walked out because she DISSED Moore

If I had been there (I would not have been since I think LR sucks) but if I had been and she dedicated the song "desperado" to Moore... I TOO would have gotten up and walked out because I would have known (or thought) that she was making fun of Moore for being "desperate and needing to come to his senses"

I think the audience revolt was probably anti bush, not anti Moore, but of course the media would never portray such a thing in an article...

How in hell could dedicating "Desperado" be an homage to Moore?

It was a slam IMO

[DeepModem Mom]

21. See post 18 -- I think there's no way she was slamming MM --

[Carni]

24. Guess you're right I just found this

It appears that LR was actually paying Moore a respect based on the below

That would not have been my choice as a Moore dedication (something about the flowery romance of the song and Moore IMO do not gel lol)

But I guess I stand corrected.

All kidding aside if I had heard that dedicated to Moore I personally would have copped an attitude thought she was calling him desperate and I would have walked out...she obviously meant well but I would have had a knee jerk reaction and would have assumed she was calling Moore desperate and stupid.

http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:gBMcOHtt1DcJ:www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp%3FARTICLE_ID%3D38769+linda+ronstadt+george+bush&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

"Last night, I attended a concert by Linda Ronstadt (former girlfriend of Jerry Brown). About 15 minutes into the show, she dedicated a song with the lyrics 'Get out of town' to George Bush. The boos began immediately – almost a shock wave – no one believing that this nice concert, complete with orchestra, could turn ugly so fast. Screams of 'Shut up and sing!' interrupted the boos. It was totally out of place, and the crowd let her have it. Sadly, she was clueless, seemingly not caring."

– Ernie

[Pastiche423]

23. You quite clearly

know nothing about Linda or her history.

[Carni]

29. I have corrected my previous assumption after googling LR

But why WOULD I have known the complete political history of Linda Ronstadt?

I knew she dated Jerry Brown in the 70's and that was about it.

James Carville is married to Mary Matalin so what the hell would dating Brown alone 30 years ago prove?

I still maintain the lyrics to Desperado although well intended would have sent a mixed message to fans of F911.

[SuffragetteSal]

70. have you seen the audiences in vegas?

In my opinion after reading it here, it appears they (the redneck types who come to Vegas) more than likely thought she was dissing Bush, that is why they threw drinks on her poster. Rednecks think of Desperado as the cowboy in themselves...not the opposite.

I say good for Linda...apparently there was some misunderstanding about who and why she was dedicating the song. But for the alladin to ask her to leave seems a little extreme. And we all know Wayne Newton is a Republican...whatever...

[medeak]

20. corporate america

Wayne doesn't own Alladin...it's corporate america now.

Linda has right to free speech...but think the place was inappropriate and Vegas crowds these days are like walking into Walmart.

She's bugged me ever since on Letterman and he asked if she grew up with brothers or sisters and her response "they don't matter...I'm the one with the voice" suffers from star disease...surrounded by sychophants.

[medeak]

25. death watch

here is link putting Aladdin on "death watch"...looks like they can't afford to offend anyone.

http://www.jetcafe.org/~npc/gambling/casino_death_watch.html

[DeepModem Mom]

35. That surprises me, as she seemed devoted to her brother...

a Tucson policeman. A bad joke, maybe?

[Bridget Burke]

45. Since neither of us heard the alledged Ronstand quote....

It's difficult to know what she meant.

A sister sang with her on one of her Spanish-language albums.

[splatbass]

44. Planet Hollywood

recently purchased the Alladin. The name will be changed to Planet Hollywood in the next year after some remodeling. I was just there in April and that is what the staff was telling everyone. Since it is owned by Republicans like Arnold and Bruce Willis it is no wonder they kicked her out.

[medeak]

54. planet hollywood

sale doesn't go through until September. They're hoping for a smooth transition.

that may have had something to do with Linda sensitivity as well...being "financially sick" they desperately need sale to go through.

[Sparkle]

27. Gamblers have the nerve to walkout after the entertainer said something

political? Please!

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

30. I saw her at Riverbend for a "folkloric" concert, with a mariachi band...

...& it was well worth the money.

This was a few years ago, though. This was not a smart career move for her, to do this in Vegas. She'll never do buisness there again.

[The_Casual_Observer]

32. Las Vegas is for people who don't know any better

It is a terrible place well suited for idiots. Over priced hotels that poorly imitate "real life", washed up "entertainers", and hundreds of ways for them to trick you out of your money.

It is no wonder the audience of dunces became belligerent. They didn't come to LV to think, they came to waste money and "feel good".

[0007]

43. Vegas is the turd bowl of the world!

[The Animator]

34. I seem to recall something about the Dixie Chicks...

but, weren't they singing in France? They Hate Bush in France (not to mention the rest of the free world).

[Merlin]

36. Ahem... I just want to point out their use of the term "86"...

for those who have questioned my use of it.

[pale reflection]

48. so?

She's a has-been. Does it really matter if she was for or against Morre? She's just a Vegas lounge act trying to get some press tim by making a comment involving someone current to see if she can latch on to another 15 minutes.

Ignore her, and maybe she'll go away.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

49. Hmmmmm

hmmmmm

[Bridget Burke]

50. The Vegas gig was just one stop on her latest tour.

She's no longer the hot young cutie, but an established performer with a long, varied career. She's still got a lot of fans.

www.ronstadt-linda.com/

Oops--guess I should have ignored you!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

51. Thats my guess too

:)

[pale reflection]

77. Her getting kicked off was the best part of the show...

...according to people there. She was flat and "slept-walked" from song to song according to guests at the Alladin.

This was not the first time she got booed off the stage on this tour, either. She got booed in Virginia a week or two back for the same kind of comments. Again, her show sucked, so she was apparently trying to grab Moore's rising star while her's is busy burning out.

She's a has been, trying to leach off Moore's success by praising him in places where she might get a little media attention.

Pathetic

[Norbert]

71. Yeah, you're right

I guess we should concentrate on todays incredibly talented performers, like Jessica Simpson. :eyes:

[AspenRose]

53. AAR news at the top of the hour said she was praising Moore

I hope she gets to sing at Kerry's inaugural ball.

[Bridget Burke]

56. Some have wondered whether "Desperado" was a compliment.

I think it was. The lyrics describe one of the tragically hip sort of singer-songwriter cowboy poets she used to fall in love with in olden days. Now it's just a pretty tune & one of her best-known songs.

The late Blaze Foley (a former running-buddy of Townes van Zandt) wrote a very funny parody--he called it "Avocado". (Fated to be guacamole--how tragic.)

[Ripley]

57. Hate to be a spoil sport...

But is this really LBN?

On TV all I get is celebrity (whether they are "It" or "washed up") worship, sniping and gossip passed off as "news." Maybe I missed something, but it's not like she's a spokeswoman for Kerry, like Carole King is.

I guess I've just gotten used to hot threads in LBN really informing me. This one doesn't tell me a damn thing.

[eablair3]

58. Why don't they print what she said?

I read that article and they don't even print what she supposedly said. They is not one quote in the article as to what she said. All they say is that she upset the guests, and try their best to make her sound like a nut case.

Well, what the heck did she say?

They are so afraid that they don't even want to print what she said. Heck, that might get the word outand get people to start thinking and have some thoughts about certain things ... and they don't want those words or thoughts being circulated.

[Merlin]

60. Youngsters may not understand the genius of the song "Desperado"

It is truly one of the great songs of all time. Listen to the Eagles sing it, or maybe Judy Collins, to appreciate its loving intent.

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
You been out ridin' fences for so long now
Oh, you're a hard one
And I know that you got your reasons
But these things that are pleasin' you
Can hurt you somehow

Don't you draw the queen of diamonds boy
She'll beat you if she's able
The queen of hearts is always your best bet
And it seems to me, some fine things
Have been laid upon your table
But you only want the ones that you can't get

Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home
And freedom, well that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walking through this world all alone

Don't your feet get cold in the Winter time?
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
And you're losin' all your highs and lows
Ain't it funny how the feeling goes away?

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences, open the gate
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you, before it's too late

As I said above, it tells the story of a person who is oblivious to the dangers and personal damage caused by the stresses of acting on your own -- without the moderating approval of others.

If Michael listened to the advise of people who cared about him, he wouldn't take such enormous risks, wouldn't put himself under such physically debilitating pressures.

I think Linda's telling Michael he's done enough now at least for a while, and it's time to come in from the cold and start thinking about taking care of himself for once instead of saving the world.

She's right in a way. Moore has no doubt inspired an entire generation of young people to return to the valiant and noble art of political muckraking. Soon these people will take over when he's ready to take a breather.

Viva Michael Moore!

[2Design]

61. I have a lot of her alblums.....I would have never thought vegas

audience would boo someone who was in favor of f911.

Here is the yahoo link
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040719/ap_on_en_mu/people_ronstadt

She was doing an encore. They must have liked here enough to want her to sing more... but there were probably a 'few bad apples' in the audience.

Wonder what the real story is.
this is definitely slanted...

[West Coast Democrat]

63. This one makes it seem that the F 911 reference got her canned

I find that hard to believe.

[goforit]

62. Civil war may be in the making.

And it looks like it is counting down.

[Ripley]

65. OH, for crying out loud...CIVIL WAR re:Linda? Get a grip.

This is a non story. If you love/nocomment her it doesn't matter...

This situation is Lounge material...sheesh!

[dArKeR]

64. Email the psychotic hate mongers! Grow up Repuke SCUM or move to Saudi!

Grow up Republicans or move to Saudi Arabia with the Aladdin!

Four 'words' by Ronstadt 'spoiled' the evening? You over reacted and I'll never patronize Aladdin again!

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040719/ap_on_en_mu/people_ronstadt

MyName

[e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]

[Snellius]

67. Does Wayne Neuter sing pro-Bush hymns during his act?

Has anyone on DU ever actually seen Mr. Neuter on stage? God forbid.

[Norbert]

68. My 37 year love affair with Linda Ronstadt continues.

You go girl.

[TexasProgressive]

69. Linda supports Michael Moore

people. give it a rest.

before singing "desperado" for her encore, she dedicated it to moore, calling him "a great american patriot" and said he was "someone who is spreading the truth." she went on to encourage everyone to see the film.

being that it was her encore, and her biggest hit, it seemed to me like an appropriate moment in the show to mention moore. maximum impact, you know? dedicating her biggest hit to someone? a love song, no less?

forget all this bullshit about the words and what they mean and "why would she do it?." it is common for a performer to dedicate a song (especially a trademark song) to someone, regardless of the song lyric.

note the difference of opinion in this thread as to the implications of the lyrics. jesus. all you need to know is what she herself said about moore before singing the song.

and to those of you who want to question her relevance or her artistic credibility, i have one question. what the fuck? one man's trash is another man's treasure, yada yada yada. let's not go there, please. who the hell cares. talking about music is like dancing about architecture, as the saying goes.

hell. i'm no fan of linda, and i'm no fan of vegas. but i'll be god damned if i'm going to listen to anyone tell me what is appropriate or inappropriate for an artist to say during a musical performance, anywhere in the united states. that's her choice, and her right. at least, for now it is.

she spoke up for moore. who the fuck cares if some right wingers in the audience took exception? do they care when we are offended over rush? i can't believe some of you are questioning if this was the right forum for her to speak in. for goodness sake, some of you sound like republicans. you want that shit, then vote for it.

you go, linda. you sure as hell don't need that asshole gig in vegas. thanks for your voice, and for giving voice to the cause.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

72. To me this is not about Linda Ronstadt

I haven't followed her career and I really don't care if she's been a life-long liberal or not. I don't even care what personal meaning she attributed to the song "Desperado" as far as Michael Moore is concerned. What matters is that someone, anyone, at the END of a show, during an ENCORE simply stated matter-of-factly and without insult to an audience that she was dedicating a song to Michael Moore, that he was "a great American patriot" and "someone who is spreading the truth". That is how she is quoted in this ABC News story (below).

Rather, it's a sad comment on our times when a significant portion of an audience (one-fourth, apparently) riots because someone makes a brief political statement at the end of performance that rubs some people the wrong way. This is the same sort of nonsense we saw with the Dixie Chicks. It's an almost religious fervor we are seeing in those who support George Bush. Even during the height of the Vietnam War, which I strongly opposed, I still went to see John Wayne in the "Green Berets". I was open to seeing a positive statement about the war that I so strongly opposed, because I felt very confident in the wisdom of my own views. Right now, I watch Bruce Willis movies, Harrison Ford movies, Charleston Heston movies, and even old John Wayne and Ronald Reagan movies, although I strongly disagree with the politics of these actors. If I went to a performance of a musician who praised George Bush, I would simply say to myself that I loved the music but hated the political opinion of the performer.

This IS small potatoes and Linda Ronstadt's opinion is not going to change anything. What I find alarming in this small reality-bite is the intolerance of some members in our society towards those who show even mild disagreement with George Bush's policies, such as that shown by Ms. Ronstadt.

http://www.abcnews.go.com/wire/Entertainment/ap20040719_1183.html?CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

"...LAS VEGAS July 19, 2004 — Singer Linda Ronstadt 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..."

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

73. I signed her guest book; some real nasty people have signed her book.

They're making her out to be another Hanoi Jane.

This nation has become so frightening. I do not even recognize my country anymore. G-d forbid we speak out against something we don't believe in lest we are attacked, abused, and viewed as a disgrace. Is this America I live in? It's simply unreal.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

74. Check out Michael Moore's website:

http://www.michaelmoore.com/

July 20, 2004

Dear Mr. Timmins:

I understand from the news reports I've read that, after Linda Ronstadt, one of America's greatest singers, dedicated a song to me from your stage on Saturday night, you instructed your security guards to remove her from the Aladdin, which they did.

What country do you live in? Last time I checked, Las Vegas is still in the United States. And in the United States, we have something called "The First Amendment." This constitutional right gives everyone here the right to say whatever they want to say. All Americans hold this right as sacred. Many of our young people put on a uniform and risk their lives to defend it. My film is all about asking the questions that should have been asked before those brave soldiers were sent into harms way.

For you to throw Linda Ronstadt off the premises because she dared to say a few words in support of me and my film, is simply stupid and Un-American. Frankly, I have never heard of such a thing happening. I read that you wouldn't even let her go back up to her room at your hotel! Are you crazy? For crying out loud, it was a song DEDICATION! To "Desperado!" Every American loves that song! Sure, some people didn't like the dedication, and that's their right. But neither they nor you have the right to remove her from your building when all she did was exercise her AMERICAN right to speak her mind.

Of all the things that go on in Las Vegas, this is what creates the need for serious action? What about the other half of the crowd at the Aladdin who, according to the Las Vegas Sun, cheered her when she made her remarks? Did you throw them out, too?

I think you owe Ms. Ronstadt an apology. And I have an idea how you can make it up to her -- and to the millions of Americans you have offended. Invite her back and I'll join her in singing "America the Beautiful" on your stage. Then I will show "Fahrenheit 9/11" free of charge to all your guests and anyone else in Las Vegas who wants to see it.

Mr. Timmins, as the song "Desperado" says -- "Come to your senses!" How can you refuse this offer? I await your reply.

Yours,
Michael Moore
Director, "Fahrenheit 9/11"
____________________________________________________________

Kick it, Michael!!!!!

[rocktivity]

75. It sounds like Linda's real war was with the casino

From the Review Journal.com:

...Early in the show she told the crowd not to expect her greatest hits and added a snide remark or two about Las Vegas and the Aladdin.

Ronstadt allowed no meet-and-greets and no photographers.

(A casino representative) said Ronstadt "inaccurately" told the crowd she saw a billboard that promoted a greatest-hits show. Ronstadt's camp had provided and approved all ads, commercials, billboards and news releases, (he) said.

Sounds like she wasn't happy with being typecast as an oldies act coasting on her past fame. But that's between the casino and her "camp"--you don't drag your paying customers into it. Maybe the F9/11 mention would have gone better if she hadn't insulted everyone beforehand--at least, I hope she wasn't just using Mike to get herself fired!

:headbang:
rocknation

[Bridget Burke]

76. She didn't really get fired.

The gig at the Aladdin was just one stop on her latest tour. Most of the other venues are a bit nicer.

www.ronstadt-linda.com/

Apparently she didn't get to stay overnight, though. Probably avoided a nasty case of athlete's foot.

[GoldenOldie]

78. The distortions of Linda Ronstadt???

I find it amusing and very apparent that a few of the posters claim knowledge of just who and what Linda Ronstadt is yet have no knowledge of her at all. "Dixie Chicksing," seems to be an appropriate term.

Linda's brother was a former Chief of Police for Tucson, Arizona. When informed about Linda'a incident in Las Vegas, "he said with a chuckle, "I don't think she's ever been bashful about expressing her political views." Linda has performed many activist songs throughout her career many of them duets with other well known musician/singers i.e., Emmy Lou Harris. For those that respond that she is doing this to enhance her career, they know little of Linda.

All of this media blitz and attacks on Linda Ronstadt, The Dixie Chicks, Whoopi Goldberg, etc., only justifies Michael Moore's
Farehnheit 9/11.

The media whores, interview individuals that did not attend this concert, yet the publish their comment on Linda's performance. With each new media presentation, the number of irate audience gets larger, more cocktails are thrown, posters of Linda torn to shreds, etc., etc. I keep waiting for them to say that Linda Rondstadt was drawn and quartered and set fire to.

Linda Ronstadt's career is right where she wants it to be. She is not hurting for money, she is one smart lady and has not sent her money up her nose, as some posters stated.

I am proud to be a fellow Tucsonan and I am sure that Linda's pioneer Tucson family and friends are extremely proud of her.

No matter what NEVER NEVER NEVER be afraid to say what needs to be said.

[The Great Escape]

80. They Said Their Problem With The Dixie Chicks....

was that they voiced their criticisms on foreign soil....Guess the Linda Ronstadt dedication, proves the fact that they just have problems...period...unless of course Las Vegas is considered foreign soil.

[ItsThePeopleStupid]

79. THE SITE HAS BEEN HACKED

it redirects to michaelmoore.com

Now nobody can see where she is scheduled to perform.

[Bridget Burke]

81. I just noticed that.

Since I'd posted the link to her tour, I went back to check. Was sent straight to michaelmoore.com.

I sent a note to michael's admin; I'm sure they didn't do it.

[Democat]

82. Make sure you contact the casino and let them know you will boycott!

http://aladdin.casinocity.com/

[LDS Jock]

83. quotes from her about it

"My career has befuddled other people, and it's befuddled me," admitted Ronstadt, 58, who finds her fans are polarized by her nightly on-stage salute to "Fahrenheit 9/11" filmmaker Michael Moore.

"I've been dedicating a song to him – I think he's a great patriot – and it splits the audience down the middle, and they duke it out," she said.

"This is an election year, and I think we're in desperate trouble and it's time for people to speak up and not pipe down. It's a real conflict for me when I go to a concert and find out somebody in the audience is a Republican or fundamental Christian. It can cloud my enjoyment. I'd rather not know."

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040715/news_lz1w15linda.html