Musician Allegedly Stripped on Stage
L O S A N G E L E S, Dec. 17 -- A member of a Grammy-nominated rhythm andblues duo allegedly exposed himself on stage Saturday during aholiday concert, sending parents with children in tow running forthe doors, authorities said.
No one was injured in the rush for the exits.
Police confirmed they were investigating indecent exposure atthe concert but would not elaborate. No arrests were immediatelymade.
About 4,000 people packed the Shrine Auditorium to watch popacts Christina Aguilera, 98 Degrees, and Third Eye Blind,authorities said.
Shortly before 8 p.m., the duo known as K-Ci & Jo Jo took thestage. One of the two allegedly exposed himself sometime during theperformance, said city Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey.
Mothers, Children Rush Out
Two city fire inspectors attending the concert witnessed about150 people rushing into the auditorium lobby. Parents who were withtheir kids, some as young as 5 years old, complained about thealleged act, Humphrey added.
“Many of the parents were upset,” he said. “Luckily no onewas hurt and the concert continued.”
The two men who make up the R&B duo are Cedric and Joel Hailey,who also are part of the popular quartet, Jodeci. The brothersrecently released their third album entitled “X,” a 13-track discfilled with formulaic love ballads and dance music. Several oftheir previously-released songs are chart-topping hits.
K-Ci and Jojo earned a nomination in 1999 for R&B performance bya duo or group with vocal.
A call after business hours Saturday to MCA, which representsthe brothers, was answered by a recording saying the office wasclosed. Officials from Shrine Auditorium and the concert’spromoters also were unavailable late Saturday.
The lead singer of the punk band Green Day paid a $141fine in 1995 after stripping nude during a Milwaukee concert. Awarrant was issued two years ago for the frontman of “Snot,”after he allegedly exposing himself on stage at an Attleboro, Mass.heavy-metal festival.
