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Linda Ronstadt, Michael Moore, and Las Vegas

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Linda Ronstadt, Michael Moore, and Las Vegas

some things just don't mix

from JoeUser Forums

        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.

6,209 views 31 replies
Reply #26 from JoeUser Forums Top

if she had dedicated a song to Bush and made a statement about his re-election, would you be this bothered?


As a matter of fact I would.  Like I said, I don't give a crap what their political views are.  I feel like it is false advertising if you go to a "greatest hits" concert and instead get a political forum.  Keep it separate!


And WF, as far as hanging on celebrities' every word, don't count me in that group.  I don't see entertainers as anything other than people who do their job exceptionaly well.  I wouldn't care what the top notch Ear Nose and Throat specialist had to say about politics so I don't care any more about what Whoopi Goldberg or Barbra Streisand or any other entertainer thinks about politics.  Not their field of expertise.  They don't have anymore credentials in that area than my garbage man.

Reply #27 from JoeUser Forums Top

Well put, Jill.

To use your analogy, if my dentist forced me to listen to him ranting about political issues  with while he was working on my teeth I would certainly refuse to go back.  Particularly if I found his statements to be obnoxious and ignorant.

And let's face it, most celebrities are not the brightest bulbs.

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Reply #28 from JoeUser Forums Top
I sw and interesting quote from her this morning. She said that she would rather not know the leanings of the audience because if she were to think that Republicans or fundamentalist Christians are in the audience she becomes so uncomfortable that it is hard to perform.

Says a lot, huh? There is probably a lot more at work in the bellfrey than political ideology...

P.S.? The new buyers of the hotel claim they are going to invite her back, invite Michael Moore as well, and offer a free screening of the movie. Cute...
Reply #29 from JoeUser Forums Top
JillUser- I don't either, but I just think this isn't a big enough deal to receive the reaction she did. Everyone has the choice now to simply not go to her concerts, so we'll see.

Draginol- I pass by the chance about as often as you pass up the chance to say sheesh WiseFawn.

Good article, Gene Nash.
Reply #30 from JoeUser Forums Top

It has to do with thresholds, Wisefawn.  People are fed up with no-nothing celebrities abusing their fame to shove their off-topic political agendas down our throats.  I find it offensive when they do that, regardless of their ideology because they're no more qualified to rant off on politics than the my neighbor. But because of their fame, and because the audience is usually there for a different reason (like to see them sing) they get to have their ignorant views broadcast.

People are sick of it.  It's not a "free" speech issue. It's an issue of fundamental fairness. Linda Ronstadt shouldn't have any more free speech rights than anyone else.  But celebrities seem to think that they should have extra rights the rest of us don't have.

Reply #31 from JoeUser Forums Top
Imagine if Brad was being interviewed on TechTV, and before he started answering questions he dedicated the interview for 30 seconds to, well, I dunno who he would dedicate to, but anyway, someone political. You'd immediately say he was using a completely unrelated event to promote his political agenda. No different for LR. People are there to see you for reason X, and you use it as bait to inject your reason Y.

it wasn't just Desperado, either. She back-handedly dedicated songs to Bush and Enron execs, too, supposedly. I probably would have tolerated one, but it sounds like she just wanted to jab the Republicans in the audience. From the quote I mention above it sounds like she has a big ole grudge of some kind.