The Backstreet Boys have pushed back the re-launch of their North American tour in support of last year's Black and Blue for another two weeks while AJ McLean extends his rehabilitation.

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 rescheduled Backstreet Boys tour:

8/24: Milwaukee, Bradley Center
8/25: Cincinnati, Firstar Center
8/26: St. Louis, MO Riverport Amphitheater
8/27: Kansas City, MO Kemper Arena
8/29: Houston, Compaq Center
8/30: San Antonio, Alamodome
8/31: Dallas, American Airlines Arena
9/4: Uniondale, NY Nassau Coliseum
9/6: East Rutherford, NJ Continental Airlines Arena
9/7: East Rutherford, NJ Continental Airlines Arena
9/8: Boston, Fleet Center
9/9: Boston, Fleet Center
9/10: Boston, Fleet Center
9/12: Toronto, ONT Air Canada Center
9/13: Toronto, ONT Air Canada Center
9/14: Toronto, ONT Air Canada Center
9/15: Kanata, ONT Corel Center
9/17: Montreal, QC Molson Center
9/18: Buffalo, NY HSBC Arena
9/19: Cleveland, Gund Arena
9/20: Detroit, The Palace
9/22: Chicago, Tweeter Center
9/23: Minneapolis, Target Center
9/26: Calgary, AB Saddledome
9/27: Calgary, AB Saddledome
9/28: Edmonton, AB Sky Reach
10/1: Vancouver, BC General Motors Place
10/2: Portland, OR Rose Garden
10/4: Boise, ID The Idaho Center
10/5: Salt Lake City, Delta Center
10/7: Albuquerque, Journal Pavilion
10/10: Denver, Pepsi Center
10/12: Phoenix, Desert Sky
10/13: San Bernardino, CA Glen Helen Blockbuster
10/15: San Jose, CA San Jose Arena
10/17: Bakersfield, CA Centennial Garden Con. Ctr
10/19: Las Vegas, MGM Grand Hotel
10/20: San Diego, Coors Amphitheater

CHRISTINA SARACENO
(August 1, 2001)