Rock Gone Dueling Lawsuits

Promoter Donnie Frizzell and venue officials have filed lawsuits against each other regarding Rock Gone Wild, the Iowa-based festival originally scheduled for Aug. 20-23.

Frizzell attorney Ted Sporer told Pollstar his client is suing Diamond Jo Casino of Northwood and its affiliates on various claims.

“The petition is based on breach of contract, estoppel by detrimental reliance, fraudulent misrepresentation and fraudulent concealment,” Sporer said. “We’re confident that Rock Gone Wild LLC will be vindicated in the Worth County lawsuit.”

The festival, originally slated for Freedom Park in Algona, boasted a lineup with headliners George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Jackyl, Dokken, Saxon, Warrant, April Wine, Twisted Sister, Lita Ford and Skid Row.

The festival was moved to the parking lot outside Diamond Jo Casino in late July reportedly to handle an estimated 20,000 or more concertgoers.

However, a statement posted Aug. 7 on the Rock Gone Wild Web site stated that the casino was “refusing to honor its obligation” to host the event, so the festival had to be scrapped.

Jonathan Swain, chief of operations for Diamond Jo Casino parent company Peninsula Gaming, told the Des Moines Register that despite many verbal conversations, Frizzell “never had a signed agreement” and had not provided the proof of liability insurance needed to stage the festival.

Ticket holders are asked to register purchase information on the Rock Gone Wild Web site for future reference pending the legal outcome.

Meanwhile, one company is offering an alternative to metalheads who don’t want to sit around waiting to get their money back.

Officials with the Nov. 15-20 ShipRocked cruise aboard the MSC Poesia sailing from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., are offering “jilted” Rock Gone Wild ticketholders a deal: a $100 discount for the cruise featuring Queensrÿche, Tesla, Ratt and Skid Row.