McLean back and boys ready to go

Back - Index - Submissions - - What is RSS? Date: Aug 23, 2001 Source: The Cincinnati Post Submitted By: Gina Cates Post staff report The Backstreet Boys get back on the road this week, with their Saturday show at the Firstar Center here only the second stop on their renewed tour. The boy band abruptly canceled its touring schedule for 30 days so 23-year-old band member A.J. McLean could go to rehab for alcohol abuse and depression. A spokesman for the band's publicist says the plan still remains for the boys to resume the tour with the previously announced dates. That would mean the tour picks up in Milwaukee on Friday night, with Cincinnati the next night. Sisqo (''The Dragon'') is joining the Backstreet Boys on the road as they resume their ''Black & Blue'' tour. Sisqo will be performing all his hits from ''Unleash the Dragon'' and ''Return of Dragon!'' Also opening for the Backstreet Boys will be Krystal, a native Hoosier (born in Anderson) who has just released a single, ''Supergirl,'' and an album, ''Me and My Piano.'' The updated tour itinerary includes the addition of four cities before concluding Oct. 20 in San Diego. Members Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson had originally hoped to re-launch their tour on Aug. 7 after McLean emerged from treatment. At the same time, the group made it clear (in their July 9 and 10 interviews) that the tour would be postponed for as long as McLean needed. "AJ's initial treatment is going very well,'' said Richardson at the time. "His doctors have suggested it would be in AJ's best interest to take an additional two weeks in transitional care.'' Littrell added: "We've spent some time with AJ recently and he, along with the rest of us, is excited to return to our tour on Aug. 24.'' Dorough said: "We are thankful for the outpouring of understanding and respect that has been given to us from the media, our peers and fans around the world through this difficult time.'' ''We truly want to thank our fans for standing with us through this,'' said Carter.In a phone interview last week with Dorough on MTV's ''Total Request Live,'' he said the band was excited about getting back on the road. ''This unexpected time off here gave us the chance to re-evaluate our lives and our careers and our health ... what it's really all about.'' When asked about McLean, Dorough said: ''He's put on a little weight and his hair's platinum blond. He's really psyched and ready to get back out there. He can't wait.'' The Backstreet Boys perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Firstar Center, 700 W. Pete Rose Way, downtown; tickets are $38-$100 at Ticketmastser (513) 562-4949. Comment on this item. Next Item: Backstreet Boys in Malaysia Prev Item: 10,707 Fans Supported AJ With a Yellow Jellybean