Source: Launch.com
Date: 7.11.00

(7/10/00, 5 p.m. ET) - The Backstreet Boys -- minus A.J. McLean -- and Sir Elton John perfomed together at London's Party in the Park 2000 at Hyde Park on Sunday (July 9) in front of more than 100,000 people.

Group member Kevin Richardson explained from the stage why McLean was not present at the concert. "As everyone may notice we're missing one Backstreet Boy today," he said. "A.J. couldn't be with us. We don't want any rumors to get started, we're not breaking up. We're making a new album right now, but A.J. is back home in the United States. His grandfather just had very, very serious surgery, so he's back home, with his grandfather right now." Richardson then jokingly noted, "But instead of having A.J., today we have E.J.!" The remaining Backstreet Boys performed "Philadelphia Freedom" and "Friends Never Say Goodbye" from Elton John's The Road To El Dorado soundtrack with Elton John, who was an honorary Backstreet Boy for the day. Meanwhile, "E.J." joined in on the group's "I Want It That Way" and "The One" from its multiplatinum album, Millennium.

-- Jason Gelman, New York