Kanye West, Lady Gaga tour is canceled

Kanye West's duo-headlining tour with Lady Gaga has been canceled, concert promoter Live Nation announced Thursday afternoon. The "Fame Kills" trek was to have hit Anaheim on Nov. 15 and Los Angeles on Nov. 16. There was no reason given for the cancellation, and zero indication that the tour dates would be rescheduled.

A Live Nation press release offered few details. "Live Nation announced today that the Kanye West and Lady Gaga 'Fame Kills' tour has been cancelled. Refunds are available at the point of purchase.  Tickets purchased online and via phone will be refunded automatically."

Rumors of the tour's demise hit the gossip sites last night. Representatives for West and Lady Gaga did not respond to requests for comment. Representatives from Live Nation had no further information.

The tour seemed ill-fated from the start. Pop & Hiss first reported that the tour might be doomed on Sept. 15, as reps for the artists refused to discuss the trek and dates were swiped from the Ticketmaster system. Pre-sales initially announced for Sept.16 were removed from Ticketmaster without any explanation, and prior to the tour going on sale, West had announced on national television that he planned to disappear from the public spotlight.

Yet an R-rated teaser was ultimately released for the tour on West's site; the trek was to have begun Nov. 10 in Phoenix. It was to have been a high-profile pairing of two of the nation's biggest pop stars.

Lady Gaga had even spoken of the tour recently, and was quoted in the Canadian press giving details. Lady Gaga described an elaborate stage setup in which the two artists would be on multiple ends of an arena throughout the concert. It would have been a high-priced affair, with tickets for the Los Angeles date starting at $39.50 and topping out at $129.50, not including multiple surcharges.

There was also a $500 VIP package, and fans were invited to join a $45 club for a first crack at tickets. There was no indication yet as to whether or not fan club members would receive a refund. 

The "Fame Kills" tour was announced in the wake of West's MTV Video Music Awards appearance, in which he interrupted the acceptance speech of country star Taylor Swift to declare R&B singer Beyoncé a more deserving winner. Though West has a history of outspoken antics at award shows, a public outcry followed, and West ultimately apologized three times -- two via his website and once on the premiere of Jay Leno's new talk show.

It was on Leno's program that West said he would be taking time off. "Obviously, I deal with hurt, and so many celebrities, they never take the time off, and I never took the time off, really," West explained. "I've really never taken the time off. It's been music after music and tour after tour. And I'm just ashamed my hurt caused someone else hurt."

West appeared on stage with Common in Los Angeles on Sept. 27.

-- Todd Martens

Photo, top left: Kanye West. Credit: EPA
Photo, top right: Lady Gaga. Credit: Getty Images

Comments

[Jordan Catalano]

Worst news of the concert year. If this is because Lady GaGa was getting pressured for having Kanye on her tour, she's lost ALL credibility in my eyes. Great artists embrace controversy, not run from it.

As for Kanye...dude, just put the Henny down. Take a nice vacation, go somewhere people don't know you (and trust me. Such places exist. You're not Michael Jackson or anything). We'll leave the light on for you. Promise.

[problemwithcaring]

Fame kills, indeed! The word-play is too delicious.

[Lindy]

Why not just come out and say it? NO ONE wants to see Kanye.

Clearly, the tour was not cancelled so Kany could have a philosophical moment. With millions of dollars (his own and others')at stake, he could have taken time off afterward.

It would further damage Kanye to state that he has been damaged -- hence, protect him, pretend it was his choice not to perform. Time off to think. Right.

Kanye's boorishness is in no way comparable to Polanski's hideous crime, yet I see a parallel in the effort to protect a celebrity and control public opinion.

[KanyeFan87]

Lindy, you're an idiot. You can be as mad at Mr. West for what he did at the VMAs all you want--but to "parallel" him to the physical RAPE of a 13 yr old girl is beyond ridiculous. Unreal. I'd be curious to know your thoughts on Chris Brown actually beating the crap out of Rihanna. That's a faaaaar worse offense, yet I've not heard anyone compare him to a child rapist. Grow up. I mean, who's out here 'protecting' him?

And plenty of people want to see Kanye perform, myself included.

[Lindy]

Not clera why your comment was cleared by the L.A. Times when it is factually incorrecdt. I specifically said Kanye's actions were IN NO WAY comparable to Polanski's.

Can't you read???

The parallel is that in both cases there's an attempt to obfuscate the real story. That's it.

Polanski is grotesque. (I read today about some guy in upstate NY who just got 20 years for abusing teen-aged boys. Polanski should be facing 20.) Kanye: no one should buy tickets for awhile. And no one is.

[Sparrow]

I would rather go see Lady Gaga sans Kanye. I was not at all interested in spending $ on a concert that in anyway benefit Kanye financially, nor did I want to have to sit through any of his performances. I hope Lady Gaga goes on tour on her own or with an artist worthy of the "co-headliner" title, I have a feeling her show will be amazeballs.

I just had a thought... wouldn't it be great if Lady Gaga opened for Shakira?!

#Kaye_West=Epic_FAIL!

[Lissa]

I am extremely curious for the reason, the real reason why this tour was cancelled. I have heard anywhere from Lady Gaga refuses to perform with him to he needs his time. I personally do not think he would take the time off now and disappoint his fans this way. I was looking forward to seeing him since I left the Glow in The Dark concert. He is simply amazing despite what he said at the VMA's. What was said was said, and is in the past. I seriously do not remember anyone still talking about psycho Chris Brown this long after what he did to his then gf. I mean come on, he grabbed her mic and said a few words. Big f-n deal compared to putting his hands on her. Her feelings were hurt, fine, and she will never get that moment back again BUT she is still well and alive. Everyone seriously needs to get over it and move on to more serious issues in the entertainment business. He is brilliant regardless. Last words, MOVE ON LOSERS!

[guess who]

I for one am upset that the tour has been cancelled - i already bought my tickets.
I don't think Kanye has properly dealt with his mother's death yet. After she passed, he was out doing concerts again right away. This is the hurt he is dealing with. he needs to take time off to reclaim his emotional well being.

[Chuck Ungar]

You folks do realize that in that picture of Lady Ga Ga her nipple is exposed right?

[Glen Fleetwood]

Kanye, Roman, and Chris=it's all about me and WHAT I WANT.

[Carlos Molina]

First of all this has nothing to do with GAGA's differences with Kanye, and second, If anything Kanye was a little taken back from the bold comment Gaga said about the concert: THIS SHOW IS FOR HOMOSEXUALS. Let's be honest the majority of Kanye's fans are African Americans, it would of created such a high tension environment and negative feedback. And most importantly I love how I was one of the people that was highly disappointed in Kanye, but after such idiotic comments like Lindy here... I'm happy to say I'm a Kanye fan, get over it, Taylor Swift is going to make tons of money based on pity... such a shame.

[Patochan]

Perhaps Chris Brown can replace Kanye on the bill?

[Gina]

I watched his so called apology on Jay Leno. Jay Leno apologized for him, but Kanye just excused his behavior and even used his mothers death as an excuse for his rude and racist behavior. Isn't this what time delays and editors are for! And would he have done the same thing is anyone but a little girl had won. What a bully! No wonder the tour with Lady Gaga can't get off the ground.

[KanyeFan87]

@Lindy: Oh yes, I can read. And what I read is the word "Polanski." You can play with semantics, but you used a name that's sure to invoke strong feelings when read. Why would you have to mention HIM, of all people? And what is this "real story" you speak of? Kanye got drunk and did something stupid. It happens all of the time. He did it on national TV and is paying the price for it.

But "Polanksi"?

Obfuscate this.

[hay-ta]

Screw Kanye. He's an over-rated, un-talented, self-absorbed piece of pig vomit who sucks live anyway. remember when he couldn't even sing on Saturday Night Live without his fake studio track. If he paid me 10-grand, I wouldn't sit thru his no talent garbage.
Hope he remembers that idiotic rant at the VMA's and all of the other stupid stunts that have ruined his career. It's Over Kanye! Hope you saved your money homeboy.

[Kurt]

Kanye West and Lady Gaga are ... how do you say it ... so yesterday!

[Dakota Gun]

KanyeFan87 responds "Lindy, you're an idiot. You can be as mad at Mr. West for what he did at the VMAs all you want--but to "parallel" him to the physical RAPE of a 13 yr old girl is beyond ridiculous.' where Lindy clearly wrote " Kanye's boorishness is in no way comparable to Polanski's hideous crime ..." Kanyefan, that's 6 years of High School down the drain.

[Luke]

Kanye doesn't want the microphone if he can't snatch it out of someone's hand. Boo, sir. Boo indeed.

[El Guapo de la ciudad de los angeles]

Is Lady Gaga truly a lady...that's what I want to know.

[Gaga]

Kanie West and Lady Gaga MIGHT ANNOUNCE THE CONCERT AT THE LAST MINUTE THEY ARE GOOD FOR THAT SO TICKETS CAN SELL OUT IN MINUTES. . READ MORE: http://www.70news.com/2009/10/02/kanye-wests-tour-may-not-meets-swift-death-latest-news/

[mjr2k]

Kanye has no real talent. He runs about the stage and says the N word and every other piece of profanity like all rappers do. That's not talent.

I like a wide variety of music but these two artists together are proof that any old schmuck can make a million without talent.

[aw]

west and gaga are both LAME, she more than him.

he's more elvis than she is madonna.
but they all four were/are derivative and disingenuous.

in a well-worn tradition of imitating very badly, the SUITS will promote a "cool" shill (elvis, madonna, west, gaga) to sell to the masses of mall rats and boring pukes.

it's too bad that roadies and staff lost because of the management failures.

in case you didn't get the first time, yes, THE MANAGEMENT FAILURES.

[Jake]

Oh, please. "MY HURT caused someone else hurt??" Who do you think you're kidding, West? Stop trying to get anyone to feel sorry for you. You're an idiot, plain and simple. You knew exactly what you were doing, and I'm so thrilled that it backfired in your face. The American public is only SO stupid and will only take SO much from spoiled, egotistical nobodies like you.

Go away, and make it permanent.

[ColoradoRob]

Carlos Molinas comment about how Lady Gaga's fans are Homosexuals and the majority of Kayne Wests fans are African American and it would create such a High Tension Enviroment and Negitive Feedback. Like Rap and Hip-Hip Concerts are Love Fests. His comments speaks loudly for Kayne Wests fans.

[MOM601]

I am a grandmother who has enjoyed Kanye's music in the past and I will in the future. I am also a Taylor Swift fan and have admired her talent since she first came on the scene.
That said, while I do not condone Kanye's behavior, and I was angry for what he did on the VMA's to Taylor, I was well aware at the time it was because he so obviously has a drinking problem. The Alchol made him act like the jerk he was at that time, and until he adresses and gets help for this problem, he will continue in the future to make more errors in judgement, until he totally destroys his own life and career.
I hope he gets the help he needs and that the people around him help him to see he needs that professional help. Taking a year or two off to work on rehabilitaing himself and discovering why he needs to consume so much alcohol that it alters his personality, is the only way I think he will come to accept his problems and deal with them without the aid of a numbing agent. He is a young man and has a long life ahead of him, it is up to him to make that a doomed life with booze or a fruitful life sharing his music and talents.
I hope he starts getting help soon and will be back with his music and entertaining us in the future.