Ronstadt Redux

You know, if she hadn't publicly stated she would continue to dedicate "Desperado" to Michael Moore, then I would feel a bit more pity for these people.

Linda Ronstadt's political message sent close to a hundred concert-goers home early Thursday evening.

What had been a mellow evening at Wente Vineyards, with the crowd even serenading her with "Happy Birthday" at one point, turned into a rush for the exits by some fans angry by her encore tribute to filmmaker Michael Moore.

"She just had to do it," one fan steamed as he headed for the parking lot. "It was good until the end," another yelled to TV crews waiting outside the concert.

"She's getting out of line; it's ridiculous," said Cindy Williams of Livermore, as she left during the last song of the evening.

As for the calls to boycott the show:

About 20 people angered by Ronstadt's comments dropped plans to attend, but their traded-in tickets were snatched up and the show was sold out Wednesday.

"It was just a handful (turning in tickets) when you consider there are 1,700 folks coming," Wente said before the show.