Barenaked and Busted. It is any of our business?

Months ago, I'd written a post about whether we can love the art but dislike or even hate the artist... opinion seemed to be that you could but there was a lot of debate. Some of which became mean spirited. But today's another day... and this is another issue.

Are the actions of celebrities - particularly those with a clean cut image - any of our business? It seems more jarring somehow. For the cynical - great delight is taken in seeing a notable person in a negative light.

I'd wanted to write this when the news initially broke. Then, I didn't want to write it because then that would mean it was true. And it couldn't be true - could it? If I didn't type the words out and confront the topic - maybe it would just go away. Then the legal eagles kept delaying the process...

Steven Page. Busted. For cocaine possession. What the hell? Steve. From Barenaked Ladies? Steve of Steve, Ed, Jim, Tyler and Kevin. Steve of I bought your Yellow Tape at Sam the Record Man that I could now sell on Ebay? Steve of I bought Gordon at HMV in Yorkdale with my friend Andrea on the day it was released?

The hearing in New York state to answer to drug charges from back in July is finally upon us... today is the day where the music will literally be faced.

I've seen Barenaked Ladies live as a group a number of times and in their various incarnations - solo stuff at White Ribbon fundraisers, Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle and most recently - Kevin and Tyler at the August 'Sean Schau' - Sean Cullen's monthly variety show at the Drake Hotel.

They rose admirably above their summer from hell - with Steven's arrest and Ed's plane crash. Highly entertaining. Classy and fun.

As a band and as people, BNL are very philanthropic.

A prime example was Barenaked Circus - a charity event for a fabulous youth organization called Serve Canada. There are too many others to list. Far too many.

My most memorable Barenaked Ladies experience was the day after my grandmother's death. Couldn't fly out till the next day so my friends dragged me out to enjoy and have some laughs.

I guess I naively thought that nothing could taint the good guys of Canadian music scene.

Then - the mugshot. The forlorn look. The lost boy. Rumpled. Unshaven. Pale. Sans the trademark glasses. Scared shitless.

The following week. My Macleans arrives in my mailbox. He's on the cover. The hearing will be coming up on August 26th - now postponed to October 14th and postponed yet again to today.

He's lawyered up and will fight the charges. The series of delays tells us that they are trying to cut a deal and I'm sure they will.

So - again - the question - is this any of this our business? Probably not. However when someone is a public figure and they make the grave mistake of revealing themselves as subject to the same issues affecting non celebrity types, people are quick to pounce, judge and condemn. Especially when someone has a good guy image. Someone who walks the walk, gets in the trenches and causes positive change with their influence.

The good is evidenced by his political activism, WWF Canada Board involvement (no, not Wrestlers - the World Wildlife Fund) and his passionate role as a spokesperson for issues affecting the music industry. He's also dedicated to the greening of BNL's business. Most recently, Steven attended the Bell Celebrity Gala to benefit Sick Kids and though he kept a low profile by not walking the red carpet, he was there to show support and looking well.

Steven had a Prius before most of us could spell it. A Million Acts of Green? Yes. BNL was at the forefront of those kind of initiatives on a large scale as evidenced in Steven and Ed's last interview on The Hour.

The entertainment industry is full of train wrecks. Performers, some as young as their twenties who AP and other news outlets have fully composed obituaries - just waiting for the date after the dash. Amy Winehouse - a gifted, soulful miracle who is frail both physically and emotionally personifies this. God forbid she would pass, but at least we could reconcile it.

Steven Page made a stupid mistake. To me, it's irrelevant whether he was a recreational user or worse. Hopefully he's made the choice to not go down a destructive path again and won't partake for the sake of his own health, the fact he's a father and has four bandmates and their families who depend on BNL for their livelihood. Not to mention the implications of being convicted of a felony and have travel restricted in the lucrative US market. The timing - a short time after the release of their kids album "Snacktime" goes firmly against the adage that any publicity is good publicity.

I popped onto the Barenaked Ladies' site to see if there was anything of relevance. The following was posted by Steven Page earlier this month.

Lastly, I want to restate my sincerest appreciation for all the support our fans and friends have shown us over the past few months. It really helps knowing there are so many people who care about us as a band, and as people. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Hopefully, this situation will resolve and Steven can get back to work to fulfill all upcoming commitments and allow his work and personal life to move forward in a positive way.

What I hope does NOT happen, is that he cuts a deal and is then crucified for it. He deserves a chance to make things right. Not because he's famous - but because he's human. We all deserve a chance to rise above it all. Especially when our positive qualities and actions far outweigh our not so positive qualities.

So... do you have an opinion? As always... we love to hear from our readers! Fire away.