Mary J. Blige scraps Italian concert due to fear of terrorism

AP via Webcenter ^ | Wednesday, April 10, 2002 | staff

[Kermit]

MILAN, Italy (AP) - Hip-hop soul star Mary J. Blige canceled a concert in Milan scheduled for next Tuesday out of fears of a terrorist attack, citing a U.S. State Department warning last month that Americans could be targeted here, her promoter said.

The State Department issued a warning of ``possible threats'' to U.S. citizens in the cities of Milan, Venice, Florence and Verona on Easter Sunday, March 31. Officials have refused to give details about the threats.

Concert promoter Clear Channel Entertainment said Wednesday that the warning led Blige to cancel the show.

``Following the American government statement to its citizens regarding possible terrorist attacks in some Italian cities, the artist decided to cancel the concert,'' the promoter said in a statement.

Italy has been on alert for possible terror attacks since Sept. 11, and several people suspected of links to foreign terrorist groups have been arrested. Also, concerns about domestic extremists flared last month after the slaying of a government adviser was claimed by the far-leftist Red Brigades.

Blige, 31, won acclaim and commercial success with her 1992 debut, ``What's the 411?'' considered groundbreaking for its then novel mixture of hip-hop beats and R&B melodies.

Blige is promoting her latest album, ``No More Drama,'' on her current tour. The performance in Milan at the Alcatraz club was to have been her only show in Italy.

[Kermit]

Cowardice on the march from the Hollywood types again! My 85 year parents are at this very minute on a tour through Italy. They've expressly said that they're not going to let terrorists control them. If they're killed, they will have being doing exactly what THEY wanted, not what cowardly terrorists want.

[Random Access]

I am not sure that blowing up rap singers would be considered terrorism by any civilized society.

[lawdude]

"I am not sure that blowing up rap singers would be considered terrorism by any civilized society."

Blessed relief?

[Cato the Censor]

Is her name Mary Bilge? Her music??????is.

[blam]

It must be the 'in' thing now. Don't forget that Oprah cancelled her South African engagement too.

[MarineDad]

I am not sure that blowing up rap singers would be considered terrorism by any civilized society.

You're right - in fact, it's known as eugenics.

[Pagey]

Hip-hop soul star Mary J. Blige

STAR?LOL at how the definitions of words change through the years.Anything for publicity,huh?Oh,the horror of cancelling 1 Show,And in a CLUB no less?Perhaps she didn't sell enough tickets to cover the cost of flying to MILAN for 1 SHOW?This is News?(Anywhere?)I heard the band from Ireland,The Cranberries,who've sold more than 35 million records,blew off a planned 4 month U.S. tour in Oct, Nov,Dec and January cause of 9/11.That sure didn't make the news.Still LOL

[garandgal]

Um..does this seem a little more relevant to anyone now?

[Kermit]

No. Did she cancel a New York concert? Once you let terrorists push you around, there's no stopping on the slippery slope.