Another Artist Censored

A few days ago, the ASVers got their underwear in a bunch (as is their habit) over musicians claiming that creativity was being stiffled and free speech was being reduced because of the political climate in the US. Well, here's yet another story (this time from the BBC) proving the musicians' point:

US singer Linda Ronstadt was booed and removed from a Las Vegas casino for praising film-maker Michael Moore and his film Fahrenheit 9/11 during a show.

Ronstadt called Moore a "great American patriot" and "someone who is spreading the truth" during a performance at the Aladdin venue on Saturday.

Some among the crowd of 4,500 stormed out, tore down concert posters and tossed cocktails into the air.

Aladdin president Bill Timmins said Ronstadt was escorted off the property.

Ronstadt "spoiled a wonderful evening for our guests and we had to do something about it", Mr Timmins said.

He said the 58-year-old singer, booked to play the Aladdin for one show only, was not allowed her back in her luxury suite after the show.

He said she would not sing at the Aladdin again: "As long as I'm here, she's not going to play."

In a statement directed at Mr Timmins, Michael Moore said: "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."

Ronstadt's manager was not immediately available for comment.

However, in an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal before the show, Ronstadt was reported as saying: "I keep hoping that if I'm annoying enough to them, they won't hire me back."

Moore said the casino's move was "stupid and un-American"

Michael Moore said Mr Timmins owed Ronstadt an apology.

"Invite her back and I'll join her in singing America the Beautiful on your stage," he said.

"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."

Comments

[michele]

Rondstadt was let go by the casino, she wasn't fired by Ashcroft and company. She'll find at least a hundred other places that will hire her.

And the casino owner let her go not because of what she said, per se, but because she made the customers angry. The customers are always right in business.

That said, there are still plenty of musicians, actors, etc. out there speaking their mind and not being shoved into gulags because of it.

[Lauren]

Why, I didn't see a mention of Ashcroft in that post. Hm.

[Sheelzebub]

The customers are always right? Gosh, I'll remember that the next time I don't like something someone says onstage, or anywhere else. I'll be sure to vandalize the building and throw things if Howard Stern comes to town. Sheesh.

The news report said that *some* of the audience left and seemed upset. That's hardly saying all of them. If I was in that audience, I would have agreed with her. I would have been a customer, therefore right.

*Some* of those customers also acted like glass chewing rioting dickheads when they destroyed property and threw their glasses about. That's actually criminal behavior. You know--vandalism. Destruction of property. Assault. The nightclub owner chose to blame Rondstadt for *their* behavior. She didn't "spoil a wonderful evening" for their guests--the guests did it themselves with their violent behavior. And not letting her stay in her room (which was reserved for her) was beyond the pale. Frankly, I think he simply disagreed with her views.

As for the customer being right--potential customers may forgo the Aladdin during their trip to Vegas. Why on earth would they go to a place that allowed people to act like they were in a biker bar?

[Eli]

I also don't see any mention of Ashcroft, el al in the original post. I imagine it's just a canned response Michele puts out there whenever someone dares to disagree with her or her idiotic minions. Or, as I've noted in her posts of late, she's on Rove's faxed talking points list and simply regurgitates whatever the administration wants her to write about.

Look, people have the right the disagree with an artist and to vote with their pocket books if they choose to. I certainly do.

But, the fact that artists in Hollywood, Austin, Nashville, etc. are self-censoring in order to avoid the wrath of ill-informed mob remains.

[molly]

I am sympathetic to the casino, up to a point-they hired entertainment, not political commentary, and her contract probably has a clause about political commentary and other behaviors they deem inappropriate-she also was trying to stir up trouble...but to escort her from the premises and not allow her in her room is a bit too much. However, I doubt very much an entertainer with the opposing point of view would have been thrown out for editorializing.

[Sheelzebub]

Okay, just to follow up on my response to Michele, I checked out some other news stories about this. According to some reports, quite a lot of the audience cheered her on:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/20040720-9999-1c20linda.html

"Half the crowd heartily applauded her praise for Moore, the other half booed. In an instant, the intimate outdoor venue on Shelter Island filled with a roar of cheers and jeers that grew to a near-fever pitch."

"As Ronstadt started to perform her encore, an impassioned version of the Eagles' "Desperado," dozens of concertgoers angrily streamed toward the exits, while others gave her an ovation."

Sounds like only the right-wing customers were. . .right.

[Rox]

Sheelzebub: The article you cite is about Ronstadt's performance in San Diego.

If y'all will read the article futher along, you'll note that the mixed reaction has been occuring everywhere Ronstadt has performed on this particular tour.

The music world is very small, people. Chances are good the folks in Vegas saw this coming and had a plan in place if things got too rough. They could have chosen to cancel the show, but that would mean a loss. Instead, the good folks at Aladdin decided to hold the show, collect the dough and then escort Rondstadt out at the end. Interesting.

[Sheelzebub]

This is what I get for posting quickly, LOL.