FIVE THINGS ABOUT HEDLEY’S TROUBLES

1 WHO IS HEDLEY, AND WHAT HAVE THEY DONE?

A popular Vancouver pop-rock band, they have been attacked on Twitter recently for alleged sexual misconduct involving young fans. They responded by calling the allegations “unsubstantiated,” but acknowledged they “engaged in a lifestyle that incorporated certain rock ‘n’ roll clichés. “All of us in Hedley respect and applaud the #MeToo movement and the open and honest discussion it has inspired. We believe these conversations are particularly important within the music industry, which does not exactly have an enviable history of treating women with the respect they deserve,” reads the statement.

2 THE FIRST REACTION

The response began Wednesday when the Junos dropped the group from the upcoming televised awards bash in what was called a joint decision with the band.

3 THEN CAME RADIO

On Thursday, Corus Radio revealed it had suspended all airplay of Hedley songs across its 30 music stations, as did other stations in Edmonton and Vancouver. On Friday, the CBC announced it was dropping the group’s music from its radio and streaming platforms “in light of the serious allegations that have surfaced.”

4 THE TROUBLES CONTINUE

On Friday morning, Hedley’s management team said it had terminated all “business relationships with the band” And the Halifax band Neon Dreams refused to open for them Friday night in Brandon, Man., saying in a statement: “We can no longer in good conscience continue on the ‘Cageless’ tour. We understand this choice could negatively impact our band professionally but in the end we have to do what we feel is morally right.”

5 THE BAND RESPONDS

In its statement Wednesday, Hedley said: “We all have to accept and respect that there are at least two sides to every story. The recent allegations against us posted on social media are simply unsubstantiated and have not been validated. We would hope that people will bear in mind the context in which these unsupported accusations have been made before passing judgment on us as individuals or as a band.”