Rock Gone Wild canceled

Sophia Ahmad just posted a blog saying the Aug. 20-23 Rock Gone Wild festival has been canceled. The festival's website, which had included the fairly impressive roster planned for the event now says this:

"Rock Gone Wild, an Iowa based LLC was informed by Diamond Jo Casino, LLC legal counsel on August 5, 2009, that “the event cannot take place anywhere on the licensed premises”.

Due to Diamond Jo Casino, LLC refusing to honor its obligation to provide the venue, we are unable to produce the event as planned. This matter has been referred to legal counsel."

The concert had originally been scheduled for Freedom Park in Algona, but later relocated to Diamond Jo Casino.

Earlier this summer I talked to promoter Donnie Frizzell, who compared Rock Gone Wild to European festivals, with a  wide mix of artists. Puddle of Mudd, Saliva, Twisted Sister, George Thoroughgood, Skid Row and others were a part of the line-up.

Frizzell had hopes that the festival could be have regional spin-offs and had been expecting 8,000-10,000 attendees were day. No word yet on refunds.