MUSIC HISTORY 101 SEPTEMBER 8, 2005 - In a decision that shocked those who predicted the jury would be star-struck, Rod Stewart was ordered to repay a Las Vegas casino $2 million (£1.1 million) for missing a New Year concert in 2000. Stewart had said he was unable to play at the Rio hotel and casino because his voice disappeared after an operation to remove a cancerous thyroid tumor. The singer said his voice only recovered in time to begin a world tour in June 2001 and he had since performed 150 shows. But all ended well in appeals court. In a less-publicized 2007 turn, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the jurys decision. The case was settled in 2008, with the parties seeking a voluntary dismissal after a settlement conference that year. Burning bridges with a company that owns so many Las Vegas casinos didnt seem smart, but neither did it set the singer back. He simply worked for the Strips other big operator, as a frequent concert attraction at the MGM Grand Garden. Then more good luck: The Colosseum sits on Harrahs property but is actually operated by the third-party promoter, AEG Live. AEG Live and Harrahs have a wonderful working relationship with Rod Stewart, AEG Live executive John Meglen said in a statement responding to questions about the lawsuit. Caesars Palace and AEG have jointly booked the Rod Stewart engagements, Harrahs spokeswoman Debbie Munch noted in a statement. Those looking for cryptic meaning are free to assign special emphasis to jointly booked, as most Colosseum productions arent. In a statement announcing the eight shows that fell between Nov. 6th and 21th, the singer was quoted as saying: For some years now, AEG Live has been wanting me to do a residency show in Vegas. I decided it was time to give it a try, but I thought, First, lets try two weeks instead of two years, though. Tickets topped out at $225. Rereading the trial coverage drove home the citys reversal of fortune and the folly that was the 1999 New Years Eve: Stewart was paid $3 million for the New Years Eve show, plus $2 million for the New Years Day show he canceled after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Tickets were $400 to $1,000. But when the public didnt bite, the Rio marked some down to $100 for slot clubbers. READ MORE: telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1496867/Rod-Stewart-sued-for-1m-by-Vegas-casino.html reviewjournal/mike-weatherford/stewart-shows-raise-interesting-question
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 23:35:03 +0000
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