Barenaked Ladies Stripped of Disney Slot

Group bows out of kid-friendly festival date in wake of lead singer's cocaine possession arrest

By Gina Serpe Jul 22, 2008 2:17 PMTags
Steven PageAP Photo

For Disney, it seems sex and rock 'n' roll are one thing—at least when it comes to their younger and fairer stable of talent. But when it comes to drugs, the Mouse House apparently draws the line.

Anticipating as much, the Barenaked Ladies have opted to bow out of the summer lineup for Disney's Music Block Party tour—a series of concerts geared toward families with kids—in the wake of singer-guitarist Steven Page's recent arrest on a cocaine charge.

The group announced they would withdraw from the performance out of respect for Disney, fully aware that the bad publicity wouldn't sit well with the Mickey set.

"Members of the band completely support Steven Page, but we don't want to put Disney in an awkward position before issues involving Steven's arrest are resolved," band manager Terry McBride says on the group's website.

Page, 38, was busted in upstate New York earlier this month. He has since pleaded not guilty and said he plans to "strongly contest" the charges.

The Canadian-based band was set to headline the Long Island stop on the Playskool-sponsored, Raven-Symoné-hosted festival Aug. 22-24.

The musical lineup varies from city to city, but They Might Be Giants, already set to headline a different date, has stepped up to replace the Barenaked Ladies on the Long Island stop. Other stops will feature the kid-friendly likes of Dan Zanes and Ralph's World.

The Barenaked Ladies have already been scrubbed from the fest's official site.