Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean has extended his time in rehabilitation for two weeks, forcing the teen-pop phenomena to postpone their North American tour for a second time, the group’s members said on Tuesday.
McLean, 23, is in a 30-day treatment program for alcoholism, depression and other problems, and the group was set to return to the road next Tuesday. Instead, its tour will resume on Aug. 24 in Milwaukee, according to a statement.
“A.J.’s initial treatment is going very well,” Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson said in the statement. “His doctors have suggested it would be in A.J.’s best interest to take an additional two weeks in transitional care.”
A group spokeswoman declined to disclose McLean’s whereabouts. He entered rehab on July 9, the day the group announced the initial tour postponement.
On July 9th the group announced that the tour would be postponed while the twenty-three-year-old McLean underwent treatment for alcoholism and depression. The Backstreet Boys planned to pick up the tour again on August 7th but in a new statement, Kevin Richardson explained the additional delay saying, “[McLean’s] doctors have suggested it would be in AJ’s best interest to take an additional two weeks in transitional care.” The thirty-eight-date tour will now kick off on August 24th in Milwaukee and wrap up on October 20th in San Diego.
Two of the original dates scheduled in Los Angeles and Tacoma, Washington were canceled due to re-scheduling difficulties. Tickets for the rest of the cities effected (July 9th to August 22nd) will be honored for the rescheduled dates.
The band has set October dates for the other eight cities – Vancouver, British Columbia; Portland, Oregon; Seattle; Bakersfield, San Jose and San Bernardino, California; Salt Lake City; and Denver. In addition, the group has added shows in Boise, Idaho; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Phoenix; and San Diego, where the tour will now end on Oct. 20.
The Backstreet Boys are touring to promote their new album, “Black & Blue,” which has sold 5.2 million copies in the United States in the 35 weeks since its release.
Their previous release, “Millennium,” had sold 9.6 million copies at the same point, and some music observers believe steam is running out of the teen pop craze, which also made stars out of ‘N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears and a slew of others.
The Rescheduled Backstreet Boys Tour:
- August 24 – Milwaukee, Bradley Center
- August 25 – Cincinnati, Firstar Center
- August 26 – St. Louis, MO Riverport Amphitheater
- August 27 – Kansas City, MO Kemper Arena
- August 29 – Houston, Compaq Center
- August 30 – San Antonio, Alamodome
- August 31 – Dallas, American Airlines Arena
- September 4 – Uniondale, NY Nassau Coliseum
- September 6 – East Rutherford, NJ Continental Airlines Arena
- September 7 – East Rutherford, NJ Continental Airlines Arena
- September 8 – Boston, Fleet Center
- September 9 – Boston, Fleet Center
- September 10 – Boston, Fleet Center
- September 12 – Toronto, ONT Air Canada Center
- September 13 – Toronto, ONT Air Canada Center
- September 14 – Toronto, ONT Air Canada Center
- September 15 – Kanata, ONT Corel Center
- September 17 – Montreal, QC Molson Center
- September 18 – Buffalo, NY HSBC Arena
- September 19 – Cleveland, Gund Arena
- September 20 – Detroit, The Palace
- September 22 – Chicago, Tweeter Center
- September 23 – Minneapolis, Target Center
- September 26 – Calgary, AB Saddledome
- September 27 – Calgary, AB Saddledome
- September 28 – Edmonton, AB Sky Reach
- October 1 – Vancouver, BC General Motors Place
- October 2 – Portland, OR Rose Garden
- October 4 – Boise, ID The Idaho Center
- October 5 – Salt Lake City, Delta Center
- October 7 – Albuquerque, Journal Pavilion
- October 10 – Denver, Pepsi Center
- October 12 – Phoenix, Desert Sky
- October 13 – San Bernardino, CA Glen Helen Blockbuster
- October 15 – San Jose, CA San Jose Arena
- October 17 – Bakersfield, CA Centennial Garden Con. Ctr
- October 19 – Las Vegas, MGM Grand Hotel
- October 20 – San Diego, Coors Amphitheater