Ohio suburb pays band whose show was blocked by Benatar

BLUE ASH, Ohio (AP) -- A band has still gotten paid, even though it was kept from playing at a community festival because of a dispute with veteran rocker Pat Benatar.

Officials in Blue Ash say Benatar's managers forced the Cincinnati suburb to cancel a performance by the Devonshires, Benatar's scheduled opening act at last weekend's "Taste of Blue Ash."

A Blue Ash spokeswoman tells The Cincinnati Enquirer Benatar's people said their contract stipulated that a group like the Devonshires was not a suitable opening act. The city still paid the band its agreed-to amount, plus $1,000 extra.

The Devonshires' website says they play in costume and that their shows include props and skits. Their booking agent, Gary Kirves, says the Benatar camp apparently didn't want "an intense rock-and-roll show" preceding her.