The Backstreet Boys have been forced to postpone a series of concert dates starting with their Monday, July 9 show at the Fleet Center in Boston, MA. This announcement comes as the group reveals that member AJ McLean will immediately undergo a 30-day treatment for his clinical depression which has recently led to anxiety attacks and the excessive consumption of alcohol. A key factor causing this depression is the recent death of McLean's grandmother, with whom he was very close. In a joint statement, Backstreet Boys Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson said: "It's been suggested that we not be so forthcoming about this situation, as many artists in the industry have in the past, but we feel compelled as a group to be honest with our fans and not let them down. AJ is our friend and our brother and we whole-heartedly support him during this difficult time. Fortunately, AJ has realized he can't solve his problems by himself." "Because he is unable to be on tour at this time, we are postponing dates and will make them up as soon as we can," the group added. "At the same time we trust that our fans--who've always stood by us--will understand this decision is absolutely necessary in order for AJ to be well. We look forward to seeing all of you on the road soon." Tickets already purchased for the upcoming postponed shows will be honored for the rescheduled dates. Refunds for any of the concerts will also be made available.

AUGUST
TU	7	VANCOUVER	GM PLACE
WE	8	OFF
TH	9	TACOMA	TACOMADOME
FR	10	PORTLAND	ROSE GARDEN
SA	11	OFF
SU	12	BAKERSFIELD	CENTENNIAL GARDEN
MO	13	SAN JOSE	SAN JOSE ARENA
TU	14	OFF
WE	15	OFF
TH	16	LOS ANGELES	GREAT WESTERN FORUM
FR	17	LAS VEGAS	MGM GRAND
SA	18	SAN BERNADINO	GLEN HELEN BLOCKBUSTER PAVILION
SU	19	OFF
MO	20	SALT LAKE CITY	DELTA CENTER
TU	21	OFF
WE	22	DENVER	PEPSI CENTER
TH	23	OFF
FR	24	MILWAUKEE	BRADLEY CENTER
SA	25	CINCINNATI	FIRSTSTAR CENTER
SU	26	ST. LOUIS	RIVERPORT AMPHITHEATRE
MO	27	KANSAS CITY	KEMPER ARENA
TU	28	OFF
WE	29	HOUSTON	COMPAQ CENTER
TH	30	SAN ANTONIO	ALAMODOME
FR	31	DALLAS	AMERICAN AIRLINES ARENA
SEPTEMBER
SA	1	OFF
SU	2	OFF
MO	3	OFF
TU	4	UNIONDALE	NASSAU COLISEUM
WE	5	OFF
TH	6	E. RUTHERFORD	CONITINENTAL AIRLINES ARENA
FR	7	E. RUTHERFORD	CONITINENTAL AIRLINES ARENA
SA	8	BOSTON	FLEET CENTER
SU	9	BOSTON	FLEET CENTER
MO	10	BOSTON	FLEET CENTER
TU	11	OFF
WE	12	TORONTO	AIR CANADA CENTRE
TH	13	TORONTO	AIR CANADA CENTRE
FR	14	TORONTO	AIR CANADA CENTRE
SA	15	OTTAWA	CORREL CENTER
SU	16	OFF
MO	17	MONTREAL	MOLSON CENTRE
TU	18	BUFFALO	HSBC ARENA
WE	19	CLEVELAND	GUND ARENA
TH	20	DETROIT	THE PALACE
FR	21	OFF
SA	22	CHICAGO	TWEETER CENTER
SU	23	MINNEAPOLI	TARGET CENTER
MO	24	OFF
TU	25	OFF
WE	26	CALGARY	SADDLEDOME
TH	27	CALGARY	SADDLEDOME
FR	28	EDMONTON	SKY REACH
SA	29	END OF TOUR
SU	30