The spin on it is this: "Weather delays and airport closures prevented Backstreet Boys' Kevin Richardson (who sat on the tarmac in an airplane for four hours) from making it to Denver in time for the group's performance [Tuesday]," reads a statement from the band's publicity form,the Mitch Schneider Organization.

"Richardson had returned to his Los Angeles home on Monday [Feb. 19] for a photo session and planned to join the Backstreet Boys for tonight's show on the Black & Blue World Tour," continues the statement. "Richardson's bandmates Nick Carter,Howie Dorough ,Brian Littrell,and A.J. McLean performed the show without Richardson,because fans were already arriving to the venue when they learned that Kevin was unable to get there on time."

Richardson will re-join the group as its next show,which is Friday (Feb. 23) at the General Motors Place In Vancouver.