Neil Young cancels Oct. 30 Inglewood Forum show

Neil Young has called off his concert scheduled for Thursday night at the Forum in Inglewood rather than ask his fans to cross a picket line that the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees said they would set up at the arena, which has a long history of labor disputes with IATSE.

“I am extremely disappointed to have to choose between satisfying my fans or backing my brothers and sisters of the IATSE,” Young said in a statement issued late tonight (Wednesday) from San Diego, where he was performing on his way to L.A.

“I will miss playing in Los Angeles and apologize to my fans for the inconvenience this has caused,” Young’s statement said. Young and his wife, Pegi, are honorary lifetime members of IATSE.

The L.A. show will be rescheduled for next year, according to his publicist. Those holding tickets to the Forum show may get refunds at the point of purchase.

--Randy Lewis

Photo by Richard Hartog/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Dr. Paul Proteus]

Neil Young continues to prove he's on the righteous side of humanity. Long may you run, Neil.

[Justin]

Your brothers and sisters were attending the show, so congradulation you screwed your brothers and sisters over. Drove from Las Vegas, been partying and had the right seats for the show, now I feel down. Skynyrd was right Southern man does not need Neil Young around. He canceled not a week in advance, nor a day, but less than twenty four hours before the concert. Sounds to me that tickets did not sell well. Nothing moreto say about the bail out and the damaged done.

Sincerly

The Knight brothers

[BH]

A uniion act. Now I understand why my tickets cost over $250 each. Guess that wasn't a high enough price to maintain the members' life style. Or are they concerned that Neil's concert will be outsourced to India?

Strikes and work stoppages, this show's cancellation is a harbinger of the next years as unions will leverage Democratic government power to increase their reach.

BH (Los Angeles)
The proud the few, the libertarian Neil Young fan

[carlenea]

If this arena does have a long dispute with IATS why would Neil even consider performing there. This is bull. Sorry Neil there is no mistake except your fans aren't that big of a deal to you. Biggest disappointment of my day today.

[Margaret P.]

I am very disappointed. I want Neil to know that both of my teenage sons "get" him and have been looking forward to this show for months. It is one of the few concerts that we can all go to and love. However, I want to say that in spite of the disappointment, I support Neil and his decision. It fits with who he is and what he truly represents to us besides being an entertainer.

[Jerry w]

Neil is a true Stand Up guy. There's so much of the talk the talk going on, it's rare these days to see someone truly walk the walk.
Many thanks,
Jerry w
www.boskolives.wordpress.com

[J. David Sackman]

My respect for Neil Young just went up a few notches.
Bob Dylan had no qualms about crossing a picketline to play at the Forum. I felt terrible when I showed up, but the IATSE pickets said they didn't want to keep anyone out, just don't buy anything inside. So I went in, and was further disappointed when Dylan didn't even mention the labor dispute at all. Woody Guthrie is rolling over in his grave.
Thanks to Neil for standing up for your brothers and sisters!

[Truthseekr]

Good on you, Neil Young!

The Forum sounds like crap anyway. I didn't know it was owned by right-wing Bible thumping Xtians. I'll never attend a concert there again.

Maybe consider playing at the Nokia Center next time? Sounds better than the Forum or Staples.

Good luck with the Linc Volt project, Neil. You are a true Canadian/North American hero!

[Mark]

why on day of the show cancel it. the labor dispute has been going on for sometime and should have been dealt with prior to the show date and maybe another venue used. this should never have gotten to day of show and only then for the artist to decide what side of the fence he should be on. i am left to wonder if empty seats created for teh conscience

[m. mangohig]

Thank you, Mr. Young. We have been picketing for years at the Forum. I understand it is a loss to you and the fans, and in response to some of the previous comments, you probably aren't privy to all the information that floats around you. I appreciate the gesture and I am sure my union sisters and brothers do as well. I know you will be welcomed back to Los Angeles anytime anywhere.

[ER]

I agree with the comments about the timing Picketing outside the Forum has been going on for well over a year. Either the venue shouldn't have been booked to begin with or cancelled months ago--not the day of the show.

[Chadwick Franklin]

This message is to BH the libertarian. You are wrong in your assumption. The union, Local 33 of the International Association of Theatrical Stage Employee (IATSE) has been locked out of the Forum for more than two years now. All the work that has been going on there is non-union. So don't blame the workers for the price of your $250 ticket. Instead blame the greedy church that owns the Forum, the promoter and/or the artist.

[Mike]

Hate to be negative but think a big reason Neil canceled the show was the fact that ticket sales were very low due to being way overpriced. I had been thinking of going and have been checking tickemaster for weeks right up until the show got called off. Basically, you could still buy a seat anywhere at any price. $250 was way too much and the place was going to be more then 50% empty. The endless consumer must have reached the price limit.

[Li'l Tuffy]

As a member of the IATSE local that had the honor of bestowing the IA membership to Mr Young and his wife, it does my heart good to see that he values and respects the gift and what we do. This is a society that doesn't always understand what it takes to work in this industry, especially behind the scenes so that the audience has a pleasurable experience. There are a lot of people, mothers and fathers, wives and husbands, brothers and sisters that literally put their lives on the line every day to ensure the public has an enjoyable experience. Hopefully Neil Young's stand will help to bring to light how important many of these worker issues truly are.

[Jane Lieberman]

Thanks a lot, Neil.! Apparently, not everyone was informed about tonight's cancellation. My boyfriend and I drove there ready for a fabulous evening of music. We suspected something was off when we arrived a little before 7 p.m. The Forum was dark and deserted. Deserted, that is, except for other clueless fans who also didn't receive the news. Interesting that today's Los Angeles Times Calendar gave a nice plug for the show and the opening acts. Way to go, Neil!

Jane and Bill, your FORMER fans

[Working class girl from England, UK]

My boyfriend and I flew over from London, England especially for the gig. I'm a massive Neil Young fan. Your 'brothers and sisters' probably earn much more than I do. I have had to work so hard to save up the money to be able to fly over, buy the gig tickets, accommodation etc etc.
The word 'disappointed' is putting it very mildly as to how I felt when we got to the forum and found out about the cancellation.... I was heartbroken...... A refund is not going to mend it :(

[KristFry]

Hi people ! This is my 1st affix & I covet to learn more !