Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Metchosin
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 11:26 AM

What I can't understand is why management didn't have one of those wire cages up, like I've seen in Texas and some other parts, to protect her from flying bottles and glass. They were definitely remiss there.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 11:27 AM

Well, yeah, Clinton. So why would the audience go bananas, and why would the club? Why is it so threatening to people when someone has a different opinion from theirs?

Some performers (like Joan Baez) are known for being politically outspoken...she herself has said that she is really more of a politician than an entertainer...and their audiences go to their shows expecting them to make political comments.

It seems that people get very annoyed when something happens that they didn't expect. Note Dylan's audience's reaction to him going electric in '65...

I was once asked not to sing songs with social commentary in a certain club...since the people who went there were there to smoke cigars, drink, talk, and not think about anything! :-) Thinking just terrifies certain people, and it probably hurts too.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 11:36 AM

Google News search on Linda Ronstadt.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Nerd
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 11:36 AM

Come on, Dave O and Martin.

If you are a concert promoter, do you really expect an artist to do nothing but sing songs? Do you really think the performer is obligated to not say anything that might offend anyone in the audience? Do you really think that "I paid to be entertained and this did not entertain me" is an excuse to THROW COCKTAILS?

Honestly, that's ridiculous. "Arrogant misuse of the position?" It sounds to me like a few people in the audience decided to arrogantly misuse their cocktails in order to shut someone up with whom they did not agree.

As for "free speech," this was a principle before it was a law. If such actions as this do not violate the law that doesn't mean they do not violate the principle.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 11:37 AM

"Everyday people just aren't and won't make news with their opinions"

Then why does nearly every single American (And more and more lately Canadian as well *sigh*) news show at some point say....

"We now go live to Reporter Slippy Liperslips, on mainstreet where he's talking to "The People", and getting "The Opinions That Matter"

Or some such BS....

And invariably the parade of loosers they chose to air seem to be rejects from auditions for "Freakshow 2005"...

To performers the I guess... Fine... have opinions... support whoever and whatever you want... Save the whales... save the snails... hug all the rainbows you want to... give as much money as you want to all your friends at The Psychic Alphabet Soup Hot-line... just, please do like the rest of use should and keep it to yourself... your job is to sing, dance, act, play baseball, or take a 'shot' without getting it in your eye...

If I want to know what your opinion is on something, I'll ask you...

If ya wanna offer 'em to me unbidden, don't be surprised if I heave a flaming bag of cat-turd at ya... or at least demand a refund!

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Once Famous
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 11:44 AM

Nerd, free speech is not automatic.

At the workplace, for example it is inappropriate.

again, it is a law that the government cannot suppress it. Anyone you willfully work for in the private sector, can.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Metchosin
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 11:45 AM

they go bananas Little Hawk, for the same reason they'd go off their stick in some areas if Ned Sublet was singing Cowboys Are Secretly Frequently Fond of Each Other. Tis the nature of the beast, a lot of people can't take reality checks and they are already wicked up, in both directions.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Metchosin
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 11:55 AM

or to be more succinct, places Las Vegas are chocked full of people seeking escape. It is the reason it exists.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 12:37 PM

There is less to this than meets the eye. From The Las Vegas Review-Journal:

Some concertgoers took issue with the Aladdin's accounts of angry patrons tearing down posters and throwing drink cups.

"I was so stunned to read in the newspaper that anyone had a negative reaction," said KLAS-TV, Channel 8, news anchor Paula Francis. "Everyone who was leaving when I was leaving was just thrilled. They thought it was a good concert."

At the end of an hour's worth of singing, "she got a standing ovation, then she came out and did the ('Desperado') encore," Francis said. "There were loud boos and there was quite a bit of applause. But everyone calmed down right away and seemed to enjoy the rest of the encore."

Anyway, it takes a lot of chutzpah to sit through an entire concert and then demand your money back because the artist said something you didn't like during the encore.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: GUEST,Clint Keller
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 02:39 PM

Seems to me when you hire somebody, that's who you get.

Don't complain because Utah Phillips isn't Bobby Velour.

clint

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: DougR
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 02:42 PM

I doubt there was anything in her contract that prevented her from making whatever comments she chose. I'm with the few of you who question why anybody would be interested in her opinion. Great singer though.

DougR

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: GUEST,Larry K
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 02:48 PM

Unfortunately, she has made matters worse with her latest quote in defense of her actions.   Linda said that she can't enjoy a concert if she knows there are conservatives or right wing christians in the audience and therefore would rather not know.

That is NOT making the situation any better.   It only shows her own limitations to living in hollywood where other peoples opinions ar not welcome.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 02:52 PM

Doug, if you only care about the singing then you buy the CD.   If you go to the show, you let the artist put on their show. If it includes Linda Ronstadt talking about Michael Moore or Toby Keith wrapping himself in the flag - that is the part of the artist's personna and the show. If you expect the artist to shut up and just sing the songs you are fooling yourself.

Hmmm... people getting up and walking out during an ENCORE. Political statement or people trying to get to their car before the crowd.   Once again the rightwing press seems to have blown something out of proportion.   And the have the balls to call it a "liberal" media. Far from it.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: GUEST,Clint Keller
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 03:05 PM

Sorry, that's "Tommy" Velour.

clint

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Once Famous
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 03:09 PM

Ron Olesko, I find it very funny how guys like you call in the "right wing press" when it's for your convenience and the Sean Hannity's of the world call it the "left wing press" at their convenience.

If you don't like the newspaper, don't buy it. You both have the same rant. what's it feel like?

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 03:14 PM

Feels pretty good actually.   I love it when conservatives feel it is okay to start name calling but when others try to do it we are "ranting".

Just doing what you do so well Martin - pressing buttons. The fact is most of us are born with brains. We read, absorb, and make decisions. I do not let the "ranters" make up my mind for me. While I am not a fan of his (having been in his employ for 12 years), Jack Welch is quoted as saying "If I have to listen to someone's opinion it might as well be my own".

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: open mike
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 03:17 PM

this would be a good time to support linda, if you are so inclined, by purchasing her recordings, here is one place: http://www.elektra.com/lindaronstadt/
or buying a ticket to her next gig!
here is the schedule:
# July 17, 2004 - Aladdin Hotel & Casino - Las Vegas, Nevada
# July 18, 2004 - Humphrey's By the Bay - San Diego, California
# July 20, 2004 - Universal Amphitheatre - Universal City, California
# July 22, 2004 - Wente Concerts at the Vineyard - Livermore, Ca
# July 23, 2004 - Villa Montalvo Center for the Arts - Saratoga, Ca
# July 24, 2004 - Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium - San Rafael, Ca
# July 25, 2004 - Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa - Kelseyville, Ca
# July 27, 2004 - Summer Nights at the Pier - Seattle, Washington
# Sept. 14, 2004 - Bass Performance Hall - Fort Worth, Texas
# Sept. 15, 2004 - Bass Performance Hall - Fort Worth, Texas
# Sept. 17, 2004 - Walton Performing Arts Center - Fayetteville, Ark.
# Sept. 18, 2004 - Walton Performing Arts Center - Fayetteville, Ark.
http://www.lindaronstadt.com/
http://www.ronstadt-linda.com/--the wierd thing is with this page
if you try to look up something about linda, it jumps over the
michael moore's page witha n article about her...getting the boot.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 03:26 PM

...and by the way Martin, I notice that you did not disagree with my comment about the walking out on the encore. Whether or not the writer of the article was a conservative or liberal, it does appear that there are alternate opinions.   It is amazing how we all choose to believe what we want to believe.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Bobert
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 03:34 PM

Well, don't anyone ever go to see Sparky Rucker if you can't take a little preachin" 'cause yer gonna get it...

Like Sparky says "If yer gonna get the song, yer gonna get the sermon".

Now I mentioned a while back on a similar thread that it is the *responsibility* of artists to take hold, look around and try to capture the flavor of their times... When you take that away you reduce art to musac, be it musical, visual, prose, poetry 'er whatever...

There is a real danger when a sigment of society becomes so brainwashed that they cannot tolerate other folks view points and America is rapidly becoming just that... It is also an eraly warning sign that facism, which I know a lot of Bush apologists don't like hearing, is working within the society...

Now I know this will make DougR real happy but I have first the first time in my life given thought to finding another country that is more tolerant of opposing view points. I'm not saying I have decided but at least it is a consideration. I reckon if Diebold instills Bush fir another 4 years, it will get moved off the rear burner because I firmly believe that should that happen if won't be long before we have right winged vigilante organizations beating up progressives and getting them fired from their jobs and all that wonderful stuff...

But until then, keep firing away Linda, Dixie Chicks and Sparky...

Bobert

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 03:38 PM

Nerd asked me:

If you are a concert promoter, do you really expect an artist to do nothing but sing songs?

Yes. An exception might be someone like Joan Baez, whose schtick is heavily political anyway, or Utah Phillips, ditto. But people who attend an appearance of those and like performers are signing up for that kind of show.

Do you really think the performer is obligated to not say anything that might offend anyone in the audience?

By and large, Yes, if the offensive material is foreign the the basis of the act as promoted. And by the way, her comments were (and could have been expected to be) offensive not just to "anyone in the audience" but to a very large proportion of the audience, if one is to believe the descriptions I've read.

Do you really think that "I paid to be entertained and this did not entertain me" is an excuse to THROW COCKTAILS?

No. But I did not justify the overreaction. I criticized the judgment and the attitude of the performer.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 03:47 PM

There is a question here about how much control the Alladin should have over Linda's performance there.

When we perform in schools, we represent the school in some way to the students. Therefore, we feel obligated not to sing or say anything that is contrary to what the school is trying to teach. This is particularly important if it is a parochial school. We have a regular gig at a facility owned by the Bureau of Land Management and they pay part of our fee. The rest is payed by a volunteer group that supports the facility. Here again, we represent the BLM to the audience so we are careful about what we sing and say. Likewise when we did a benefit concert for the local Historical Society. If we piss off someone in the audience, the Historical Society loses support.

On the other hand, when we do a house concert, we feel free to express our opinions about anything, especially politics.

Now, when Linda performs at the Alladin, she is, to some extent, representing the Alladin. Certainly not to the extent of any of the examples we cited above but probably a little more than, say, a house concert or a privately produced show at some theater. It's a gray area in this case.

On the other hand, the Alladin should know who they are hiring. If they are worried about offending their audience, they should have made that clear to Linda beforehand. If it were us, we would have done the same thing she did in this case but not in some other cases.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 03:54 PM

Dave, while Linda Ronstadt is not in the same catagory as Baez or Phillips, she has been known to share her views. I heard her on a local talk show with a host who is known for his conservative views (Mark DeSimone).   He was expecting to chat about her latest album on a Saturday morning show that he does, and she turned the conversation around to politics. I am not a fan of his views, but I do admire DeSimone for the way he handled it - he avoided the discussion and switched her back to music.

Unless you book an artist and make them sign an agreement (or loyalty oath?)that says what they can or cannot say, you are open for anything. It is the promoters perogative to not invite the artist back again.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: GUEST,Eric
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 04:05 PM

I think what everyone is forgetting in this case is that a casino is a business. Any business hates to give money back. I know if half of my customers all of a sudden ran to my boss and demanded their money back for something I did, I'd be on the street looking for old Top Ramen containers in the dumpster.

Remember, casinoes can, and will, kick you out if your are having too much luck at the tables.

This was a case of Linda Ronstadt not knowing her audience. Even though I am conservative, I agree that she has every right to voice her opinion. She just has to be prepared to accept whatever consequences come her way.

For all you freedom of speech advocates, remember the Constitution states "Congress shall pass no law abridging freedom of the press..speech..religion..right to assemble..etc". Unless Congress now makes policy for the Aladdin Hotel and Casino, it is a business and businesses can still reserve the right to refuse service to anyone...like it or not.

Linda, I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

Conservative room love,
Eric

ps be gentle, i bruise easy.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Once Famous
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 04:10 PM

Like I said, Ron

she can say what she wants, and I can boo her for it and tell her to shut up and sing "silver Threads and Golden Needles" if that's what my expectaions were when I bought the ticket.

While employed at the aladdin or any where else, she can be fired at will. It was their right. Find another venue I say. I've liked her music but I wouldn't pay to see her now. She mis-used the stage and the spotlight well to her advantage.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: DougR
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 04:15 PM

Ron: so your take on it is people were rushing to thier cars to beat the traffic. Hmmm, mebbe so, but I doubt the boxoffice would refund their money were that their excuse. Your charge that the "right-wing" press reported this is rather ludricrous don't you think? It appears the main-stream press is doing most of the reporting and if you think they are "right-wing," I got some land, etc. etc.

Bobert? You gonna pull up stakes and leave the good ole USofA? I don't believe it! However, might I suggest if you are so amind, Iraq could probably use somebody with your skills and attitude. Perhaps you could get a job teaching school children "progressivism."

DougR

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 04:26 PM

Martin, I said from the start that people have the right to boo. I'm amazed that anyone feels she "mis-used" the stage. Does Toby Keith "mis-use" the stage? Willie Nelson? Dennis Miller? Al Franken? Not at all, they do what they want to do. You don't have to show up, that is your business.

Doug, if you are trying to say that the main-stream press is really liberal, then I am sure that the property you have is probably swamp.   Also, I would be curious as to how many refunds the Aladdin actually gave. It doesn't make much business sense to give refunds when the show is over.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Once Famous
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 04:32 PM

People expect political comedy from Al Franken and Dennis Miller. some of Toby Keith's music has been politically charged also. Expectations are not so out of line in these cases as they would be with ronstedt. As for willie Nelson, he's almost bigger than life so I don't think anyone cares.

Yeah, DougR, Bobert said he was ready to go. Perhaps he can be CarolC and Jack the Sailor's agent in Palestine.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Bobert
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 04:35 PM

Heck, Dougie. Why would I want to go some place that is even worse than the United States in its intolerance. I believe you might be more comfy there. Oh, I forgot, yer confident that the United Sates will become more like Iraq... Silly me... Hey, the wait might not be too long...

I was kind thinking somewhere like New Zealand since I don't think I could handle 6 months of no sun in Norway...

Bobert

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: freightdawg
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 04:39 PM

Hey Bobert,

Sorry to hear you're lookin' for better digs. But you might want to consider carefully where you pitch yer tent. I remember a couple of months ago reading a newspaper story about how someplace in Canada is trying to pass a national law making it illegal to use "hate language" in any place at any time. That's right...a preacher, standing in his pulpit, doing what his congregation is paying him to do, could get sent to the pokey for saying that just about any kind of sin is a sin, seeing as how there are so many of us sinners out there (the preacher was one example specifically mentioned). Don't know if its true or an urban legend, but if true that eliminates Canada. Oh, and France won't let little Muslim girls wear their headscarves to public schools. Scratch off France. I hear over in Britannia there is this nasty little skirmish between the Irish and the English...hmm. Palestinians kill Israelis and Israelis kill Palestinians just because of who they are. Running out of places to go...

Fact is, the fact that this is an issue shows how healthy our free speech is. Linda was free to opine, the paying public was free to boo. The casino was free to fire, and everyone is free to make a gazillion dollars making the rounds of all the morning shows and Oprah style afternoon shows. Freedom of speech and free enterprise...ya gotta love it.

(Love the mostly civil discussion here)

Freightdawg

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Bobert
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 04:49 PM

F-dawg,

You know, Canada isn't on my A List but, hey, a Diebold thrft could get it a promotion... I'm kinda scared that it is turning a little to the right and I've seen that once that starts its almost impossible to get it back on course...

Like I said, I like what I hear about Norway and have some ctberfriends there but don't think I could take the winters...

Lets just say that I have an open mind as long as the folks is tolerant and intellegent...

Bobert

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 04:52 PM

Martin, yes there are artists that are known for sharing their views. Ronstadt is not Joan Baez, but she has been known to share her views - as many artists do.    Her work with the Democratic Party is well known.

I also just read that she apparently has been making the remark abotu Micheal Moore at each of her shows since the film opened. So why did it suddenly become an issue at the Aladdin?   Why haven't other audiences reacted this way? Why wasn't it reported?

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 05:08 PM

Canada isn't on my A List

surely you mean Canada isn't on my List, A? ;o)

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 05:26 PM

I went to see "Fahrenheit 9/11" on opening night with a few peace-activist friends. Afterwards we went out for drinks and to discuss the film. It got a big laugh when I said, "Gee, I'm really disappointed with Britney Spears. I'll never be able to look at her the same way again."

(For those who don't know, she says in the film, "I think we should just trust our president in every decision that he makes and we should just support that.")

The joke, of course, is that I am not at all surprised. She said exactly what I would expect a young airhead to say. And I probably will look at her the same way again. You won't see me ripping up my copy of Rolling Stone.

In other words, her political opinions have nothing to do with the things I like or dislike about her as a performer. Why should Linda Ronstadt's fans feel any differently?

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 05:34 PM

... especially when her "fans" are well aware of her political views.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Deckman
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 05:35 PM

I made somewhat the same mistake, perhaps thirty years ago. By comparing my performance with Linda's, I do NOT mean to imply that were are/were in the same league. I'm small potatoes, and prefer it that way.

The scene was a very high end "Country Club" in my town. I was the hired "folksinger" to entertain during dinner. This was shortly after the American "Bi-Centenial Year," and a lot of money had been spent in small towns across America on singers like me, presenting our historical folksongs. That year, the late (and great) John Dwyer and I had been performing a lot, doing typical NorthWest ballads, including many Wobbly and Labor songs.

As I was planning my program, I realized that I had a captive audience of the "enemy", if you will: the managers and bosses of the lumber mills and factories that were so strong in my town's early history. So I decided to educate them a little.

I planned a program of probably a half hour of typical Pacific NorthWest ballads as sung by our settlers. BUT ... every third song, I'd slide in a robust "anti-bosses" song, usually from the "Little Red Song Book." I'd have them singing along, full volume with "This Land Is Your Land," then I'd let them have "Pie In The Sky."

OH .. IT WAS SWELL!!!

They didn't know what to do, and I enjoyed myself thoroughly. And I also paid the price! It took me six weeks to get my $200 bucks, and I was never invitied back.

Did I feel a little guilty ..... NAW. CHEERS, Bob(deckman)Nelson

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 06:49 PM

Although we can't know the details, it appears from what we have read that Linda and Alladin President Bill Timmins had some disagreements before the performance so both were probably pissed when Linda got on the stage. When that happens to us, we do not give the best performance we can. We are thinking more about how soon we can get out of the place and that we're never coming back.

So, Linda's remarks, or at least the audience reaction to them, were the final straw for Timmins and he over reacted. Linda apparently said little or nothing as she was being escorted out, preferring to act more like an adult.

While it is Timmin's right not to hire her again, our guess is that her contract included use of the "luxury suite" both before and after the concert so Timmin's may have violated the contract by tossing her. Whether or not she'll sue remains to be seen but Alladin does not have very deep pockets (they're actually in or near bankruptcy) and we think Linda is above that anyway.

She'll just write it off as a bad gig just like the rest of us do.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 07:49 PM

Ron Olesko said, in part:

I also just read that she apparently has been making the remark abotu Micheal Moore at each of her shows since the film opened. So why did it suddenly become an issue at the Aladdin?   Why haven't other audiences reacted this way? Why wasn't it reported?

If she's been saying those things (with which I agree, remember) regularly in previous appearances, then the Aladdin reasonably should have known the likelihood, and I would then withdraw at least the strength of my criticism in posts above. If (as several posters have mentioned) Aladdin knew (or should have known) this likelihood and didn't like the possibility, it was indeed up to them to prohibit it contractually.   

As to "firing" her, I believe I read that it was to be a single appearance in any case. Not letting her even go to her room before leaving the premises seems pretty harsh in any case.

I still question her judgment in making the statements in that context, but that's not too big a deal.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Nerd
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 10:15 PM

Bev and Jerry,

You made the exact point I wanted to for people like DougR and Martin. Those guys might have jobs where you can be fired at will for any reason, but Linda Ronstadt does not. She has a contract with a venue, and the venue cannot just suddenly decide they don't like her anymore and violate the contract.

This is especially true since the offending remarks occurred in the encore. The whole concert except one song was acceptable, but for that one song we will deprive you of contracted accomodations probably in excess of $1,000.00? Come on, they can't do that, just as if Marty's boss decides to fire him, he still has to pay him for the work he already did.

Here is another newspaper account. This is fuller and gives more details. Apparently, people did NOT ask for their money back because of this incident. Some had asked for their money back in advance, because Ronstadt had been quoted a couple of weeks ago that she didn't much like Vegas. Well, boo hoo! Maybe as a native New Yorker I have a thicker skin, but am I gonna walk out ojn a concert because my town isn't the performer's favorite? That's infantile! Then more asked for their money back early in the concert because the venue had mistakenly billed it as a "greatest hits" concert and she was not planning to do her greatest hits. It looks to me like Timmins was looking for a way to take a generally poor show by both Ronstadt AND the Aladdin and take it out on her vindictively.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 11:29 PM

Based on that article, it sounds like the boos were not based solely on her comments. Sounds like the performance and the way the concert was sold probably added to the problem.   That might explain why the Aladdin was the only place that supposedly received boos for the Michael Moore comment.

It is interesting how the story changes as more information leaks out. Power of the press!

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Jul 04 - 11:32 PM

She said she didn't like Las Vegas??? (gasp!) Oh, my esteem for Linda just keeps going up and up. She clearly has good taste as well as good pipes.

Bobert, you should reconsider Canada. It's a very reasonable place. If I may speak for Canada, we would be most happy to have you, providing the old USA goes totally around the bend and you need a saner place to move to...it's happened before, believe me. A lot of good people have come here in order to escape totalitarianism of one sort or another.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Charlie Baum
Date: 21 Jul 04 - 12:25 AM

An article about Ms. Ronstadt's subsequent concert in San Diego casts more light on the polical polarization that's affecting American entertainment.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: open mike
Date: 21 Jul 04 - 02:09 AM

the San Diego article ends with this comment:
"Those who complain that Ronstadt should just sing,
rather than express her opinions, forget that all
art has a responsibility to inspire and provoke,
not just soothe and entertain."

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 21 Jul 04 - 04:08 AM

Great thread! I can't think of a subject more apropos for discussion on Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: ard mhacha
Date: 21 Jul 04 - 07:57 AM

Good on you, Linda, and what a singer, I am listening to her brilliant CD of Mexican songs "Canciones de mi Padre",superb.
C`mon all of you catters in the States belt it out, and stuff the bastards in Vegas, free speech in the US!, now there`s a laugh.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Grab
Date: 21 Jul 04 - 08:48 AM

Write it off as a bad gig? This has probably got her more column-inches than she's had for twenty years!

Graham.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: el ted
Date: 21 Jul 04 - 09:13 AM

Go out and buy "The tuscon sessions" that she made with Emmylou Harris.

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Amos
Date: 21 Jul 04 - 10:23 AM

Wow!! Wish I'd been at that San Diego show. Good on her.

A

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: Greg F.
Date: 21 Jul 04 - 10:38 AM

These increasingly hostile (and infantile) reactions- across the board, not just to Ronstadt's relatively innocuous comment- are down to the fact the the NeoCons & their supporters are getting increasingly frantic and desperate as it daily becomes more apparent that the clothes absolutely have no emperor.

The moral and mental equivalent of a two-year-old's temper tantrum. Expect more of the same.

God Help America.

Best, Greg

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: el ted
Date: 21 Jul 04 - 10:48 AM

99

Subject: RE: Linda Ronstadt pulls a Dixie Chicks
From: el ted
Date: 21 Jul 04 - 10:50 AM

100. I thank you! My work here is done.