Ronstadt Loses Vegas Gig After Praising Michael Moore
Some of the 4,500 people in attendance stormed out of the theater after
Ronstadt's comments.
LAS VEGAS (July 20) - Linda Ronstadt not only got booed, she also 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
singer called Moore a "great American patriot" and "someone who is
spreading the truth." She also encouraged everyone to see the
documentary about President George W. Bush.
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'd 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.
07/20/04 06:32 EDT
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Jim Devine [EMAIL PROTECTED] & http://bellarmine.lmu.edu/~jdevine
