Linda Ronstadt Escorted Out of Club After Own Show

[gldstwmn]

http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/ar..._id=1000582932

Thanks to negotiations today (July 21) between the Recording Artists Coalition (RAC) and the prospective new owners of Las Vegas's Alladin Theater, expect to see RAC member Linda Ronstadt back at the venue this fall -- with filmmaker Michael Moore on backup vocals.

The singer was the recipient of heavy-handed treatment Saturday (July 17) when she dedicated the Eagles' "Desperado" (co-written by RAC co-founder Don Henley) to Moore, the director of the anti-President Bush documentary, "Fahrenheit 9/11."

News reports said some in the audience booed, stormed out of the theater and tore down posters. Reports also said Ronstadt was escorted off the premises without being allowed to return to her dressing room, which she has subsequently denied.

After a day of negotiations, the prospective new owner of the venue, Robert Earl, Chairman and CEO of Planet Hollywood International, Inc., issued the following statement:

"We hope to be approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission to become the new owners of the Aladdin Resort in Las Vegas as early as September 1, 2004. Upon the assumption of ownership, and with a new management team in place, we would like to offer the use of the Theatre of Performing Arts to Linda Ronstadt for a second concert and further to take Michael Moore up on his offer to join her on stage to introduce her and sing a song."

"We respect artists' creativity and support their rights to express themselves," said Earl. "We were very sorry to hear about the unfortunate circumstances of this past Saturday night and want to make it clear that Planet Hollywood has never, in our 13 year history, restricted any artists' right to free speech and we will continue with that policy once we take ownership."