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Ryan Adams Demands Apology From L.A. Times

Ryan Adams has vehemently responded to an L.A. Times concert review, which suggested the singer-songwriter -- who's been sober for two years after more than 10 years of subtance abuse -- was under the influence during his opening slot for Oasis' Thursday night show at the Staples Center.

In the write up, journalist Mikael Wood said of Adams' set, "Apparently irritated by the audience's reluctance to receive his music with the hushed reverence it deserves, Adams retreated to sarcasm (not to mention bizarre, possibly booze-fueled ruminations on Jethro Tull and 'the tyranny and horrors of math')."

Adams reacted on his own blog Saturday, demanding an apology for the reference to being "possibly booze-fueled."

"If you have any decency for those of us who have overcome addictions and wake to a daily struggle -- knowing to walk a line, a line which I fiercely walk daily, proudly in fact, proud to have over come substance abuse, you will kindly apologize," he wrote.



Declaring himself "proudly sober," Adams goes on to call out both Wood and the paper. "Please remove your comments or apologize for inferring myself or my band members were on substances," he wrote. "Because you were wrong. You were very very wrong to take that from us. As a journalist you don't have to know the life story of a person, but in this case, you were wrong. Take it back, LA TIMES journalist (if you haven't already)."

The 'Times' is not heeding Adams' though, as they posted a mention on their blog about his repsonse, but offered no apology or retraction, only acknowledging that Adams was unhappy with the review.

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Dan McGrew

After 40 years in California, with a quarter century in the newspaper publishing world, including BEST IN GENERAL EXCELLENCE with both dailies and non-dailies, and every writing and editorial award in Better Newspaper Contests -- I feel qualified to say as a recognized professional. THE TIMES REPORTER WAS AN INCOMPETENT ASS FOR MAKING SUCH A STATEMENT IN HIS REVIEW.
THE TIMES IS WRONG-WRONG-WRONG FOR THE POSITION IT HAS TAKEN.
These arrogant, self-serving and self-annointed Gods of Metro Journalism should consider their parent company just filed bankruptcy. This B.S. is one of the reasons.

December 09 2008 at 3:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ln hell

They only said he was possibly under the influence of some substance, they never actually said he was.

The paper covered itself legally, and therefore doesn't HAVE to do anything.

December 09 2008 at 2:24 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mad267

They certainly owe him an apology for implying his behavior was due to consuming alcohol/drugs.

I must say, I am a huge fan of Ryan's and have had the pleasure of seeing him live; He is amazing! However, I have seen him act like a brat on stage if the audience does not act exactly as he wants. But thats just him. I know that that is a possibility when I am going to attend one of his shows and I accept that.

December 09 2008 at 12:12 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
nasturtium246

An apology is definitely in order... having been sober for 21 years, I know how he feels ! If they have any decency at all, they will apologize.

December 08 2008 at 11:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ron

When will we learn that the press of today only cares about one thing and that is how many bird cage bottoms they can cover. The media has no caring for the emotions,feelings, or the persons guilty ot not. They only care about how many bird cage bottoms they can cover. No one checks the media for accuracy or are the held liable. So the public, celeberties and politicans are all fare game so they can sell more of the bottom of bird cage covers. I think I have made my point on the media, lets see if this gets posted or will it be another one that didn't.

December 08 2008 at 11:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Keith

Of course the newspaper didn't retract it's statement. They don;t care if they are right or wrong they just do what they want. I hope they all go out of business. They are all corrupt.

December 08 2008 at 11:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply