CALGARY – Aerosmith’s decision to snub Western Canada on its 2010 summer tour of North America could cost the iconic U.S. rock band a few dollars.
Keystone Entertainment Group Ltd. is seeking $6 million in damages over the band’s cancelled tour of the prairies and Vancouver last August, and its refusal to schedule new dates.
Aerosmith released its summer schedule June 1, which includes a 19-date North American tour with only one Canadian stop – Toronto on Aug. 17.
They were set to play five shows across western Canada last August.
But the Boston rockers cancelled after lead singer Steve Tyler fell from the stage during a performance in Sturgis, South Dakota, on Aug. 5, and sustained a shoulder injury.
Keystone’s statement of claim filed in a Calgary court, a copy of which was obtained Wednesday by the QMI Agency, says the cancellation was a breach of Aerosmith’s contract with them.
“Following the breach, Keystone approached Aerosmith in September, 2009, for purposes of negotiating alternate dates for the tour,” the court document says.
It says Keystone has made repeated attempts to negotiate replacement dates without success.
“To date, Keystone had received no response or acceptance from Aerosmith,” the claim states.
It says Keystone is out expenses incurred for financing charges; debt servicing; short-term capital costs; promotional, marketing and media expenditures; venue and security deposits and equipment rental deposits.
The company is claiming damages for lost ticket sales and an estimated lost profit of at least $1.3 million for the five concerts.
The statement of claim was filed the same day Aerosmith’s 2010 tour was announced.
The lawsuit names the band, its corporate umbrella, Vindaloo Music Inc., their managers and the five members among the defendants, including lead singer Steve Tyler under his birth name, Steven Victor Tallarico.
Aerosmith’s 2010 tour kicks off Thursday with an 11-city European leg starting in Solvesborg, Sweden.
The first North American concert is July 23, in Oakland.
Statements of defence from the various named individuals and corporations have not yet been filed.
