The Infamous

Some of Las Vegas’ best-remembered concerts took less glamorous routes to immortality:

Spencer Patterson

Deep Purple, Convention Center Rotunda, April 27, 1973 Opening acts Rory Gallagher and Fleetwood Mac go off without a hitch, before a stage announcement that Purple frontman Ian Gillan is too ill to perform sets off a full-scale riot. Rock is an unwelcome guest at the Convention Center for several years to come.

2.
Frank Zappa, Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts, September 10, 1977 Zappa’s road manager is found dead in his Aladdin hotel room the morning after the show, of apparent self-inflicted razor-blade wounds.

3.
Motley Crue, Aladdin Theatre, November 25, 1997 The band invites fans to the stage, resulting in a wild melee: flying chairs, signs ripped from walls and a knockout of guitarist Mick Mars as security and audience wage battle.

4.
Of Montreal, Art Bar, February 13, 2007 Frontman Kevin Barnes makes national headlines after going full-frontal during the only 21-and-over show on the Georgia indie band’s tour.

5.
Linda Ronstadt, Aladdin Theatre, July 18, 2004 The venerable country-rock singer catches heat for praising Bush-bashing filmmaker Michael Moore during her set, reportedly sending hard-line red-staters rushing for the exits.

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