Shut Up and Sing

This is an interesting quote from Linda Ronstadt:

"This is an election year, and I think we're in desperate trouble and it's time for people to speak up and not pipe down. It's a real conflict for me when I go to a concert and find out somebody in the audience is a Republican or fundamental Christian. It can cloud my enjoyment. I'd rather not know."

I am sure her celebrity sized ego has something to do with it, but has she not considered that her fans, of which I was one, would rather not know her politics so out enjoyment is not clouded?

Or are we obligated to stay quiet if what she says angers us. In other words, is her freedom of speech more important that ours because she is famous?

Side Note: I can't point to it, but I have heard some question why Ronstadt was doing the Eagles song "Desparado". I don't know if this has anything to do with her choice, but I believe at least some of the Eagles started out as a back-up band for Ronstadt.

Comments

[Rick DeMent]

There was a whole "mafia" of west coast studio musicians that included may of the eagles and guys like Waddy Wachel (sp?) how ended up on Ronstant’s albums in the 70's.

As much as I wish the non-political entertainers would stay out of politics the fact is that speech is free, getting an audience is not. Too many simply cannot resist the temptation to use the audience they have attracted for their talent to prattle on about politics. But hay some do “turn pro”. Arnold, Sonny Bono, Fred Grundy, Fred what his face, Cooter from the Dukes of Hazzard.

[Bryan]

So she wants everyone to speak up, unless you're a Christian, or a conservative, then pipe down, because she doesn't want to hear about it.

nice.