Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
A member of US R&B group Color Me Badd has been arrested after appearing to shove his bandmate while on stage.
Footage of Saturday’s incident appears to show Bryan Abrams, 48, pushing Mark Calderon after a performance of the group’s 1991 hit I Wanna Sex You Up.
According to authorities in upstate New York, the alleged victim fell into some sound equipment and was treated in hospital for neck and back pain.
Abrams was arrested on suspicion of attempted assault in the third degree.
He was released on bail on Monday and told to appear in court on 28 August to answer to the class B misdemeanour.
Image copyright Getty Images
Image caption Calderon (left) later claimed Abrams had been intoxicated
Calderon, 47, told BBC News the alleged incident had been “very embarrassing” and that he was “upset, sad and confused”.
A video of the concert obtained by TMZ appears to show Abrams marching on stage and shoving his bandmate at the end of the performance at the Del Lago Resort and Casino in Waterloo, New York.
He is then ushered off stage by a backing dancer while Calderon apologises to the audience.
Color Me Badd formed in 1985 in Oklahoma City. After various line-up changes, they now operate as a duo.
According to their Facebook page, Color Me Badd are next due to perform in Shelbyville, Indiana, on Saturday.
‘It could have been worse’
Calderon said he would perform on Saturday as scheduled but couldn’t say if Abrams would join him.
“I will definitely be there to fulfil my contractual obligations,” he said. “I don’t know [if Abrams will be there] but I think he will.”
He also claimed it “could have been a lot worse” if he had sustained more serious injuries and that he “must have had an angel who helped [him] fall”.
Image copyright Getty Images
Image caption Color Me Badd started out in the 1980s as a four-piece
“Thank God he didn’t shove me off the stage – I would have got seriously hurt,” he went on, saying he now felt pain in his back and neck.
According to Calderon, Abrams was singing out of key and left the stage after the first song of their 10-track set before returning at the end.
Calderon said he had been “blindsided” by the alleged shove and that he “couldn’t believe what was happening”.
He has said he believes Abrams was intoxicated and is concerned for his bandmate’s health.
“Like I’ve told Bryan on many occasions, I wish he would go and get some true help,” he said. “I think that’s what he needs.”
BBC