Henley miffs O.C. fans by talking politics

[question everything]

Saturday, July 31, 2004

The Orange County Register

COSTA MESA – Singer Don Henley drew a chorus of boos from fans at the Pacific Amphitheatre after he made several political comments between songs during his concert Thursday night, becoming the latest performer to elicit such a negative reaction.

(snip)

Henley, referring to that (Linda Ronstadt} incident Thursday night, began a sentence with, "Given what my good friend Linda Ronstadt ," but was silenced as the amphitheatre erupted in boos. He responded: "Whoops - Orange County," adding, "We used to be able to have civil debate in this country Not anymore."

Henley then suggested his next song could be a duet sung by President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. He launched into Randy Newman's darkly satirical tune, "Political Science," which imagines the United States dropping nuclear weapons on the rest of the world.

(A bit) More..

http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2004/07/31/sections/local/local/article_186849.php

[BillZBubb]

1. Why are the OC assholes going to a Henley concert?

Many of his songs are political and he's made no secret of his politics? Are they just total Morans?

[holly73]

2. Yes

Yes

[glitch]

3. I was going to say that! Welcome to DU! nt

[holly73]

8. Thanks

Thank you, if that was to me ;)

[dand]

4. Don Henley is the greatest.

The assholes booing were probably in the wrong amphitheatre.

[Catch22Dem]

6. They were too stupid to find the Cheney rally

You know the one where you have to swear your allegience to the Reich beforehand.

[My Pet Goat]

5. Indeed curious...

I bet a lot of these booers are into the "personal responsibility" thing, yet they blame Henley for bringing up politics at a concert they could have easily known was likely to be political. If their delicate ears were hurt by the phrase "Linda Ronstadt" then it is indeed their fault for voluntarily buying the ticket. Exercise your own personal responsibility by reading the paper at least once a month. :crazy:

[Catch22Dem]

7. Henley & Frey

Used to be in Linda's band. For the people who didn't already know that.

[leeman67]

9. artists and entertainings have no right...

discussing politics in public. Only snaggle-toothed rednecks from "Missour-uh" do apparently. Oh, and it's ok as well if your name is Arnold Schwartzenegger, Ted Nugent, Charlie Daniels, Toby Keith, or James Woods.

[Kali]

10. James Woods?

He's one of them? I don't see a lot of movies or follow the "entertainment world" much but I kind of liked his work - that's dissapointing - what has he said/done?

[question everything]

11. Right after 9/11 he supposedly had some information

I don't know whether it was valid, he made it all hush-hush

and... he played Guliani on the movie (HBO, I think) about him which, until the 9/11 events was not flattering to him - how could it be? And Wood kinda said that while he disagreed with the way he was portrayed he still gook the job... or something.

[LTR]

14. The 9/11 timeline makes mention of this

Something about Woods flying on a hijacker 'test flight'.

Called the FBI, citing their 'suspicious' behavior.

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

15. I LOVE that photo!

His wife's sole purpose in life is to give the old codger plenty to drink before he toddles off to bed.

Sometime the coffee hasn't kicked in before it's time to meet with the senate. ;)

[SemperEadem]

12. Who is more stupid...

Henley for saying things that cause boos, or those booing who've already paid their money and ain't going to get it back? I say bravo to the artist for not allowing idiots to intimidate them. It's no secret what Henley's political persuasion is, given his activism over the years. You're just a big, dumb fool to boo when all the world knows Henley's proclivities.

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

16. I think Henley was royally pissed at Ronstadt's treatment

at the hand of the Brown-shirters, and he was intentionally giving the finger to them. He knew his comments would make the press. Henley's had enough, and he wanted to throw down the gaunlet and rid his arena of assholes so he could ease into the performance.

He can now plan on a sane audience for the duration of his career.

There comes a time in life where you have to make a stand, and Henley has crossed that line. I admire him all the more for it.

[Merlin]

13. Well, here's some more music I'm gonna hafta buy.

Damn, these gutsy entertainers are breaking my music budget. But I will buy and applaud and support every damn one of them.

I've got everything the Eagles ever made, but none of Henley's solo stuff.

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

17. I've got all the Dixie Chicks, plus their DVD

I've already got some Eagles, and Henley's Christmas song on a single CD. I'm going to shop for him tomorrow.

[Johnny Arson]

18. Come to the REAL O.C.

Chapel Hill would appreciate you, Don.

[AmericanErrorist]

19. Here's the lyrics to the Newman song mentioned:

Political Science
by Randy Newman
No one likes us-I don't know why
We may not be perfect, but heaven knows we try
But all around, even our old friends put us down
Let's drop the big one and see what happens

We give them money-but are they grateful?
No, they're spiteful and they're hateful
They don't respect us-so let's surprise them
We'll drop the big one and pulverize them

Asia's crowded and Europe's too old
Africa is far too hot
And Canada's too cold
And South America stole our name
Let's drop the big one
There'll be no one left to blame us

We'll save Australia
Don't wanna hurt no kangaroo
We'll build an All American amusement park there
They got surfin', too

Boom goes London and boom Paree
More room for you and more room for me
And every city the whole world round
Will just be another American town
Oh, how peaceful it will be
We'll set everybody free
You'll wear a Japanese kimono
And there'll be Italian shoes for me

They all hate us anyhow
So let's drop the big one now
Let's drop the big one now

http://www.ocap.ca/songs/polsci.html

Reproduced without permission