Just to bring the Linda Ronstadt story to a close, my friend Poppy alerted me to a story about the Aladdin that should add a happy ending to this absurd tale.
As it turns out, the Aladdin is for sale and the new owners not only want to lift the lifetime ban on Ronstadt, but they’re even inviting her back for a show.
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.”
I guess that boycott won’t be necessary after all.