Political Controversy

Controversy surrounding Ronstadt arose during a July 17, 2004 performance at the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas. Towards the end of her performance, as she had done in performances across the country, Ronstadt spoke to the audience, praising Michael Moore's documentary film Fahrenheit 9/11, a movie discussing the Iraq War, and dedicated the song Desperado to Michael Moore. Accounts of the crowd's initial reaction was mixed, with half the crowd heartily applauding her praise for Moore,(and) the other half booing. However, the situation escalated into what Tyri Squyres, director of public relations at the Aladdin, described as a mob scene...It's amazing how ugly it got, with people walking out, tearing down posters, throwing drinks and demanding a refund.

Following the concert, news accounts reported that Ronstadt was evicted from the hotel premises. Ronstadt claimed she wasn't physically taken off stage but was ordered by Aladdin staff to wait to speak with Aladdin President Bill Timmins. She claims to have refused to wait and to have left, and later remarked that while Aladdin staff attempted to detain her, she thought, Are they were going to make me start writing on a chalkboard or read me my Miranda rights? Later she said, Apparently..(the Aladdin)..called up one of the people that was traveling with us and went, 'She's talking about Michael Moore, and this is a place for entertainment, not politics'.

Ronstadt's comments, as well as some audience members and the hotel reactions, became a topic of discussion nationwide, as Timmons and Michael Moore all made public statements on the controversy.

The Aladdin Incident subsequently drew international headlines and public discourse on an entertainer's right to express a political opinion from the stage. The Aladdin Incident made the editorial section of the New York Times.

Following the incident, many friends of Linda Ronstadt, including The Eagles, immediately cancelled their engagement at the Aladdin.. Likewise, Ronstadt received immediate telegrams of support from her rock 'n roll friends around the world, such as The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, and Elton John.

Despite reports of this public response, Ronstadt continued in her praise of Moore and his film throughout her 2004 summer concerts across the country, which evidently continued to have a polarizing effect on the public. As Peter Asher noted, Ronstadt is an extremely determined woman, in every area.