The San Diego Union-Tribune
August 27, 1990, Monday

Anthem flap leads to ban of Sinead in N.J. arena


   Irish pop singer Sinead O'Connor threatened to walk out on a concert if "The
Star-Spangled Banner" was played beforehand.  She won the battle but lost the
war.

   The national anthem was not played, but the singer, known for her
skinhead-style haircut, was banned from any future performances at the Garden
State Arts Center, officials said.

   Backstage staff relented following the ultimatum Friday out of fear that a
last-minute cancellation would cause a commotion, said Dennis Ingoglia, a
spokesman for the New Jersey Highway Authority, which operates the 9,000-seat
venue.

   A telephone message left this morning at the offices of O'Connor's publicist,
Elaine Schock, was not immediately returned this morning.