The British-Irish boy band “The Wanted” stiffed a Chicago-area high school by canceling two hours before the event, claiming illness, then playing a concert at a major arena the same evening. Conant High School in Hoffman Estates had scheduled the concert, which was to benefit underprivileged high-schoolers so they could attend the prom, after the band had themselves contacted the school to set up the event. The school purchased sound equipment and lights for the event.
The event was conceived to promote the release of the band’s new album. A band spokesman told the school that two of its members were sick, but the band then played a concert at Allstate Arena that night.
The school’s principal, Tim Cannon, was stunned:
We got kicked in the face. We just couldn’t believe it. We understand if someone is sick, but they made a commitment. They could have had some of the other members come in to speak, take pictures, or just to say hello. They are letting down the very group they’re trying to win over. Our students fully supported the band and their music and they worked really hard to make today’s experience memorable. As adults we try to teach kids to do the right thing. They didn’t do the right thing.
The band’s first single, “All Time Low“, released in July 2010, reached number one in the United Kingdom for one week. Following that, their first album, The Wanted, was released that October and reached number four in the United Kingdom.
The band, apparently unrepentant, is still making promises to their fans; their Facebook page today has this message:
Share our Chasing The Sun video for the chance to win a meet & greet with us – everyone can enter but the 1st prize will be at a tour date either in the UK, US or Canada (no travel/accommodation is included in the prize sorry) so if you can get yourselves there you’re in it to win it :D Take a look here http://idj.to/KzYNcI“
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