"It wasnt an accident; it was just a situation that was waiting to happen We shouldnt ever take anything for granted. Great White is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. . Weeks later, when I awoke from my coma I immediately understood and accepted what was going on. "America's Deadliest Rock Concert: The Guest List" airs Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. on Reelz. or redistributed. The devastating accident, often referred to as Th. The website began as a fun project in 2013 to one of the top independent news sites. "And I even called the manager, I go, 'You're calling it 'Jack Russell's GREAT WHITE'?' PLAYBOY STAFF TRIED TO WARN HUGH HEFNER THAT PLAYMATE DOROTHY STRATTEN WAS IN DANGER BEFORE MURDER: DOC, Joe Kinan was discharged from Massachusetts General Hospital after receiving a hand transplant. He was 21. James pointed out that shortly before the Station nightclub tragedy, the Fine Line club in Minneapolis experienced a similar fire caused by pyrotechnics, but its sprinkler system and wide exits saved lives. America's deadliest rock concert began in West Warwick, Rhode Island, when the band Great White ignited pyrotechnics inside a run-down roadhouse called the station. In his first book, Barylick, an attorney who investigated the blaze and prosecuted wrongful death and personal injury cases for victims and their families, gives . "I've seen so many video tapes of pyro shooting off in that club with the foam bigger stuff than we had and it never happened," Jack told Psycho Babble TV." We want him to know that we keep him as part of our family always, Kane said. The disaster resulted in the tragic deaths of 7 concert-goers. ", The brothers who owned the nightclub, Jeff and Michael Derderian, were found guilty of one hundred counts of involuntary manslaughter, and have used varying charitable methods to atone for the disaster. They bonded over music. . The result is poignant footage contrasting very different life stories. All defendants settled. Source: The Patriot Ledger. Jimmy Gahan died in The Station nightclub fire. "I've seen so many video tapes of pyro shooting off in that club with the foam bigger stuff than we had and it never happened," Jack told Psycho Babble TV a few years ago." The Great White Nightclub Fire Explained. I persevere each day.. "He would always go to concerts, and thats how he met Mike Ricardi. I mean, it's like a plane crash it takes all these little things to fall in line for that one big thing to happen. It all started around 11 p.m. when the rock band Jack Russell's Great White took the stage and the group's tour manager, Daniel Biechele, set off four large fireworks called gerbs. They were just elated. Lawsuits were filed against several defendants including American Foam Corporation, Anheuser-Busch Inc. (which had advertised the concert as well as supplied beer), the Town of West Warwick (which had inspected The Station and not found it a fire hazard), and Great White. It was the deadliest mass casualty event in Oakland since the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. Jimmy Gahan was a celebrated athlete before he became actively involved with music, his other passion. "The documentary addresses timeless themes of personal responsibility, acceptance forgiveness and redemption. The club's owners were fined just over $1 million for their negligence and sentenced to fifteen years; four served and eleven suspended. That was the last time I saw him. According to witness testimony corroborated by video from the night of the fire, Great White had just started playing their opening number, "Desert Moon," when a series of four pyrotechnics called "gerbs" were set off behind them. Jack Russell, lead singer of the band Great White, speaks to reporters after a deadly fire at The Station nightclub Feb. 21, 2003, in West Warwick, Rhode Island. "On the night of February 20th, 2003 America's deadliest rock concert began in West Warwick, Rhode Island, when the band GREAT WHITE ignited pyrotechnics inside a run-down roadhouse called The Station. Find information on all of Great White's upcoming concerts, tour dates and ticket information for 2023-2024. lawmakers want public vetting of teachers contract, Partially-treated sewage flowing into Blackstone, Petition seeks to change how town defines adult, Warren town manager advocates for coastal communities, Teachers hopeful despite vote to end education collaborative, Olive oil in coffee? Weeks after the fire a charred handwritten notebook page was recovered from the Station nightclub ashes that contained rows of names and above them were the words Guest List., Buddy Iahn founded The Music Universe when he decided to juxtapose his love of web design and music. It was just an awful night. But it was [Jack's] solo thing. The band's guitarist Ty Longly was missing at the time. Great White Announce Andrew Freeman as New Singer. People that I didn't even know were even there. It was a Thursday, and 80s band Great White was set to be playing to a packed crowd. Dee Snider of Twisted Sister performs during Phoenix Rising! 'The Guest List' remains timely, years after the station fire tragedy, as young people will always be attracted to concert events while some bands, promoters, and concert venues remain tempted to cut corners for cheap spectacle. View of the front door and parking lot. According to the BBC, the band was told to stop playing, and once aware of the problem they asked fans to back away, but it was too late. Great White Announce Andrew Freeman as New Singer. As a result of the tragedy, new regulations were put into effect to keep order during large concerts that are still practiced today. "One of Jimmys friends heard about what happened at the club," said Gahan. Feb 20 2003, 400 music fans of Great White packed into the small Station nightclub. Americas Deadliest Rock Concert: The Guest List explores the Station nightclub fire through gripping survivor accounts and family members and friends of victims who have memorialized their loss through pursuits ranging from an exhibit of commemorative body art to re-immersion in the rock culture that initially brought them and their loved ones to the Station nightclub. And after going through injury after injury, thats when the music took over. In 2010, it was hosted in Duisburg. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Some mention sparklers, some say there may have been an electrical problem, others say it started as a result of pyrotechnics in the club. "I talked to my pastor. On February 20th, 2003, the deadliest rock concert in U.S. history took place at a roadhouse called The Station in West Warwick, Rhode Island. All in all, it took less than five minutes from the point of ignition for the club to be entirely consumed by flames, and panicked concert goers struggled to escape the conflagration, causing a bottleneck at the front entrance. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Re: 20th anniversary of the Great White concert fire : 290: Andrew 02/21/2023 12:15PM Re: 20th anniversary of the Great White concert fire : 217: Troy 02/21/2023 12:28PM Re: 20th anniversary of the Great White concert fire : 167: Irwin m fletcher 02/21/2023 07:17PM Re: 20th anniversary of the Great White concert fire : 154: Peter M. Bietenholz . See Tickets. View all concerts. The band claimed it had permission for the pyrotechnics, but club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian denied the claim. Snider, who was instrumental in bringing together fellow recording artists for a fundraising concert for survivors and victims families, can be heard performing a new song, Stand., Nobody should have to die because they want to see a band and listen to the music they love. Alice Cooper- Trash 1990 Tour Scarf Special Guest: Great White & Britany Fox. The Station nightclub fire remains America's deadliest rock concert. The bands tour manager set off some pyrotechnics that set insulation ablaze, and it took a while for the audience to understand that the flames werent part of the show. Not for sale or trade. Once you're logged in, you will be able to comment. "He went to get more information. A short time later, Russell was countersued by Kendall, rhythm guitarist/keyboardist Michael Lardie and drummer Audie Desbrow, claiming the vocalist's self-destructive behavior was damaging the GREAT WHITE name (they also alleged he was charging promoters less for his own touring version of GREAT WHITE). He died. Great White's tour manager, Danel Biechele, was charged with 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter and pleaded guilty, ultimately serving less than two years of his 15-year sentence. Great white pin. Just seconds after 80s sensation Great White took the stage, pyrotechnics ignited a fire that raced up the walls and across the ceiling of the packed venue. GREAT WHITE guitarist Mark Kendall spoke to the "Sally Steele Rocks! Many of the surviving victims and the families of those killed felt Russell had not done enough to apologize or atone for his part in the tragedy. They even got the chance to interview several major figures from the 70s and 80s. The Station nightclub owners Michael (center) and Jeffrey Derderian (right) listen to victim impact statements with attorney Richard Egbert Sept. 29, 2006, during their sentencing trial at the Kent County Courthouse in Warwick, Rhode Island. "During the first few days, we were just in complete shock," he said. According to reports, Michael was released after earning time off for good behavior. 401-462-7111. People die, Kane said. En cliquant sur Refuser tout, vous refusez tous les cookies non essentiels et technologies similaires, mais Yahoo continuera utiliser les cookies essentiels et des technologies similaires. Crowds were well past fire capacity the night of the Station Nightclub Fire, and 100 people died while watching the band Great White. It was then that my wife and I realized we needed a place where we could channel our energies, our emotions. Fire broke out during the performance and pyrotechnic display by the '80s band. On February 20th, 2003, the city of West Warwick, Rhode Island was shaken by tragedy when a fire broke out at the Station nightclub. America's Deadliest Rock Concert: The Guest List: Directed by David S. Bellino. I mean, it was a long time. On the two-year anniversary of the fire, Jack Russell and Mark Kendall, along with Jack Russell's attorney, . '", The singer said that the documentary, which he hopes will help bring him some closure, is "really well done. People embrace at a Mass of Remembrance to honor the 20th anniversary of The Station nightclub fire at St. Kevin Church in Warwick, Feb. 19, 2023. When reached by Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for Great White wrote, "The band would respectfully decline comment. The band was popular during the late 80s, when their cover of Ian Hunter's "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" became a Top 5 hit in the United States. "America's Deadliest Concert: The Guest List", a documentary about the infamous GREAT WHITE concert fire nearly two decades ago that killed a hundred people and injured hundreds more, will receive its premiere on Reelz on February 20. In 2017, Station Fire Memorial Park was opened on the site where the nightclub once stood. He then corrected himself: "I wouldn't say a lot, but they're very vocal." He's actually from that town. "I think people misunderstood, thinking GREAT WHITE uses pyro," Kendall told "Sally Steele Rocks! Russell also said that he wanted the tragedy to serve as a reminder to remain alert about public safety. ", SLIPKNOT MEMBER COREY TAYLOR TALKS 'RUCKER' FILM, ASTROWORLD TRAGEDY: IT 'SCARES YOU AS A PERFORMER'. "There was a man named Joe; they call him 'The Lizard Man,'" Jack said. Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. The foam used in the club's walls wasn't just remarkably flammable. The fire starts during the band's opening number, "Desert Moon," when pyrotechnics ignite the soundproof insulation at the . Many international stars played the event, including Stevie Wonder, Kylie Minogue, and Ennio Morricone. "The film contrasts Jack Russell's post-fire journey, in a search for redemption, with survivor Joe Kinan's rebirth, courage and inspiration. 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Market data provided by Factset. Feb. 20, 2003 Stage pyrotechnics during a Great White concert at the Station nightclub in Warwick, Rhode Island, spark a fire that kills 100 people and injures more than 200 others. MTLEY CRE'S NIKKI SIXX OPENS UP ON SOBRIETY, WHY HE LEFT CALIFORNIA FOR WYOMING: ITS HOME. Some suffered cardiac arrest. See Tickets. Many of the worlds deadliest concert disasters have one thing in common: massive crowds. Sixty-six people ended up dead from the resulting fire. The Station nightclub fire occurred on the evening of February 20, 2003 at The Station, a nightclub and hard rock music venue in West Warwick, Rhode Island, United States, killing 100 people and injuring 230.During a concert by the rock band Great White, a pyrotechnic display ignited flammable acoustic foam in the walls and ceilings surrounding the stage. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. (John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images). On February 20th, 2003, the city of West Warwick, Rhode Island was shaken by tragedy when a fire broke out at the Station nightclub. "America's Deadliest Rock Concert: The Guest List" premiers Feb 20th on @ReelzChannelhttps://t.co/uQPOE13agm, Dee Snider (@deesnider) February 5, 2022. (WJAR) WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WJAR) A Mass of . And it's really, really informative, and it delves into people's lives.". "Then it all turned into anger. Panic in the tunnel left 19 dead at the scene. In 2008, members of Great White agreed to pay $1 million to survivors and victims relatives, Billboard reported. That said, it's also the sort of thing that needs to be examined in the hope of preventing similar calamities in the future. Jack Russell, lead singer of the band Great White, speaks to reporters after a deadly fire at The Station nightclub Feb. 21, 2003, in West Warwick, Rhode Island. The fire -- triggered by . Great White Still Love Jack Russell, Says . At the time of the fire, the group that was on the road was called JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE. In the afternoon before the concert, Bellino said, Russell met many Great White fans in the West Warwick area and added their names to the guest list for the show that night. Jack largely blamed these injuries on his alcohol and painkiller addictions as well as the prednisone drug he was prescribed. The fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick began in an overcrowded club when pyrotechnics from Russell's GREAT WHITE ignited illegal soundproofing foam lining the club's walls. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com. Todd King, a fire survivor who helped found the fund, said while some victims' relatives were upset with Great White's fundraising role, the band raised about $100,000 for the fund. Nous, Yahoo, faisons partie de la famille de marques Yahoo. Russell exited GREAT WHITE in December 2011 after he was unable to tour with the group due a series of injuries, including a perforated bowel and a shattered pelvis. And it was just horrific, man. Gahan and Ricardi spoke to Russell in the bands bus, which was parked in the nightclubs parking lot. Pyrotechnics caused a fire, which resulted in 100 deaths and many injuries, America's deadliest rock concert to date. Exits had been welded shut to prevent patrons from skipping out on their bills, which meant that marked exits were non-existent. Russell's bandmate Ty Longley (guitar) was one of the people who perished in The Station blaze, which became the fourth deadliest fire in U.S. history. The Station nightclub fire happened more than 14 years ago, and on Sunday, a memorial park was dedicated to the victims of the fire. It was equipped with one fire extinguisher for the entire building and inspection papers were forged to keep the club operating. [And they told me], 'But you can't say it. In February 2003, hard rock band Great White was involved in one of the biggest and most infamous concert tragedies in music history, when pyrotechnics set off by their tour manager ignited flammable acoustic foam in the . The guy filming was doing so for a piece on nightclub safety if you can even believe the irony of that . The horrific evening is being explored 19 years later in a new Reelz documentary, "Americas Deadliest Rock Concert: The Guest List," airing Sunday. , RI reports $1.6M in back pay recovered since 2020, Prosecutor who charged Alahverdian buys UK castle, Whos in the mix to replace Congressman Cicilline, Moses Brown defeats South Kingston in girls Sweet, Portsmouth hangs on to beat Barrington, advances, DI champion Juanita Sanchez cruises to Elite 8, Bay View dominates Mount St. Charles, advances to, La Salle defeats East Greenwich, advances to Elite, Honoring Black History: Sharing Our Stories, 2/24/2023: Rep. Cicilline; special election preview, R.I. native on the newest season of Survivor, Join Cardis in supporting the Gamm Theatre, In the Kitchen: Steak Fries with Parmesan and Black, Alexandras Too shares the latest styles and trends, In the Kitchen with Bob Burke from Pot au Feu, In Memoriam: Victims of the Station Nightclub Fire, Mom of woman killed by driver renews push for change, Tesla to cut costs of next generation cars in half, Peoples Savings Bank building bought for $2.2M, PC Friars, Xavier to battle for 2nd in Big East, RI lawmakers seek to legalize magic mushrooms, Prov. He was released from prison in March of 2008 after being deemed highly unlikely to reoffend. Several people made their way toward the exits hed pointed out while others didnt take the threat seriously. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. We don't go blow stuff up and whatnot. It remains Americas deadliest rock concert. The exact cause of the fire was never determined, but what is known is that the fire was well underway when it was discovered by two waitresses. (Nicolaus Czarnecki/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images), Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines February 18, Ali Wong says she's 'best friends' with her ex-husband: 'It's an unconventional divorce', 'Champions' star Woody Harrelson: SNL monologue controversy caps storied personal journey, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry suffered Hollywood 'miscalculation' with explosive tell-alls: experts, Jussie Smollett files appeal argument in hate crime hoax conviction, Michael B. Jordan apologized to his mom before steamy Calvin Klein underwear ad was released, Kristin Cavallari jokes shes 'heartless' for breaking up with guys over text: 'I know thats horrible'. New Starbucks line a curiosity, What time is it on moon? Kane says he and his family miss Nick as much as ever, but theyre not shy to say they feel his presence. Feb 20, 2023. ", CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER. It is an object lesson in the tragic potential of poor decisions. To comment on a BLABBERMOUTH.NET story or review, you must be logged in to an active personal account on Facebook. In 2015, Ricardi wrote a book about his friendship with Gahan titled "Just a Thought Away." James said the foundation gave the family a sense of comfort and purpose during their grief. August 13, 2011 Indianapolis, IndianaConcert deaths: 7. Check out what clicked this week in entertainment. ", DREW CAREY, AMIE HARWICK'S HEARTBREAKING LAST CONVERSATION BEFORE HER TRAGIC MURDER REVEALED. With no fire suppression system in place and the extreme high temperatures generated by the burning foam, in practically no time, the situation reached what's called "flashover," the point in a fire when all flammable materials in an enclosed space hit flashpoint and start releasing flammable gases. ", Jimmy Gahan died in The Station nightclub fire. (Courtesy of James Gahan), "I cant even begin to tell you how elated he was," James recalled to Fox News Digital about the 21-year-old. At least one relative of a Station fire victim was angered by Russell's plan to make a documentary about the incident and discuss it in the upcoming book. That is what the other families are doing, we dont need a memorial to remember them, we have them in our hearts always.. The fire was started by pyrotechnics going off on stage while the band Great White performed. Jazmine Sullivan, Lil Uzi Vert among 2023 Broccoli City headliners, Lil Nas X, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban among 2023 NCAA March Madness Music Festival performers, What The Hell Happened To Blood, Sweat & Tears? documentary announced, Tim McGraw announces Standing Room Only, Dropkick Murphys announce Okemah Rising, Joe Bonamassa releases Known Unknowns live version. Its important for people to remember today though not just because the loved ones who have passed or were injured. The public has a short memory, unfortunately. Next: Worst Concert Mishaps and Tragedies, Great White Announce Andrew Freeman as New Singer, Great White Still Love Jack Russell, Says Mark Kendall, Great White Singer Will Never Apologize for Controversial Show, Great White Apologize for Concert With No Masks or Distancing, Jack Russell Calls New Great White Documentary Cathartic, Great White Come Full Circle With New Album: Exclusive Interview, Great White Singer Terry Ilous Teases New Solo LP With Cover of Led Zeppelins Whole Lotta Love': Exclusive Premiere, Memorial Park Dedicated to the Victims of the Great White Concert Fire to Open, Jack Russell Still in Therapy Over Great White Club Fire. Why it happened that night Who knows? You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! At an underground electronic music party in Oakland, a fire broke out that trapped and killed 36 people. Rock Concert Tragedies original sound - Porkchop Pete. The outlet reported that the surviving band members were never charged. Forty-one isnt just a reminder of Nick, its to let people be reminded that their loved ones, whatever has happened to them, however they passed, are still with us, Kane said. A busboy, Walter Bailey, stopped the show to make an announcement about the fire. Sherman lost two cousins in the fire. Kinan was severely burned in the Station nightclub fire. The fire was started by pyrotechnics going off on stage while the band Great White performed. Gahans father, James Gahan, also spoke out for the special. A short time later, Russell was countersued by Kendall, rhythm guitarist/keyboardist Michael Lardie and drummer Audie Desbrow, claiming the vocalist's self-destructive behavior was damaging the GREAT WHITE name (they also alleged he was charging promoters less for his own touring version of GREAT WHITE). '", According to Russell, at least one "really beautiful" thing came out of the tragedy. On Feb. 20, 2003, The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, burst into flames when pyrotechnics from the rock band landed on flammable foam installed as soundproofing. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Weather Now: Rainy Start, Mild, Dry Finish to the, Mass. Great White toured with Guns N' Roses, hit the charts, and dissolved in a blur of betrayal and substance abuse. But when they opened the doors This whole place was lined with this black foam stuff, and come to find out later of course I didn't know it then but the fire marshal said it was equal to 13 gallons of gasoline on the wall or something. Hopefully, this story will make us all change our lives just a little bit so we never have another Station nightclub disaster., Dee Snider, Twisted Sister frontman, once played the Station nightclub and many others just like it in cities and towns across the country, as was common for many rock and metal bands of the 80s era. I remember I sat in the dark just in total shock, just waiting for anything that I could get. A fire enveloped netting near the ceiling and quickly spread. It was a horrible thing that happened. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Crowds were well past fire capacity the night of the Station Nightclub Fire, and 100 people died while watching the band Great White. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. This was supposed to be a monument to remind state officials, local officials, elected officials what happens when you dont do your job. Kinan was severely burned in the Station nightclub fire. The chaos started when Scott, the festivals founder and headliner, took the stage. Two survivors later died in the hospital as a result of their injuries. Just seconds after 80s sensation Great White took the stage, pyrotechnics ignited a fire that . I remember during the funeral hundreds of people showed up for Jimmy. In a sign of the pain and acrimony that still remained, however, the Station Fire Memorial Foundation refused to accept any money from Russell: "We feel the upset caused by his involvement would outweigh the amount of funds received.". The Event Center at Turning Stone Resort Casino - Verona, NY. Jimmy Gahan was ecstatic when he was offered the opportunity to interview Jack Russell, the lead singer of Great White. The devastating accident, often referred to as The Station nightclub fire, killed 100 people and injured hundreds more. The Feb. 20, 2003, fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick started when pyrotechnics for the rock band Great White set fire to flammable foam installed as soundproofing. It includes interviews with Russell, Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTER),Don Dokken (DOKKEN),Lita Ford and Michael Sweet (STRYPER). ", Elaborating on what he saw that tragic evening, Kendall said: "It was very mild looking [at first], but I felt heat and I never felt heat before with this stuff, and so I knew there was something wrong. Photo: Getty Images. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. "He was on cloud nine. What . One member, guitarist Ty Longley, was killed in the fire. 2022. Weeks after the fire, a charred handwritten notebook page was recovered from the club's ashes that contained rows of names and above them were the words 'Guest List.' TMU participates in various affiliate and advertising programs, including, but not limited to, Amazon, Ticketmaster, and others, and earns from qualifying purchases. Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider, who is featured in a REELZ documentary about the Warwick, Rhode Island Station nightclub fire, which killed some 100 attendees of a Great White concert in 2003, The Station Nightclub Fire, America . It is also a story of the triumph of the human spirit, as seen in a communitys resilience and the recovery and rebirth of Joe Kinan, who was the last survivor pulled from the fire and the most severely burned. It is really moving, touching, and it's a beautifully shot piece of film. That's pretty much the end of GREAT WHITE. (David L Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images). The event devastated the close-knit state of Rhode Island and changed the concert landscape for New England rock music fans. M3 Rock Festival 2-Day Pass. Great White dropped a bombshell on us Monday . We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. The Feb. 20, 2003, fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island started when pyrotechnics for the rock band Great White set fire to flammable foam installed as soundproofing. Several events were going on at the same time on the night of the fire, including banquets, receptions, and a John Davidson concert all connected by narrow passageways within the same structure. People that I didn't even know were even there. His book is regarded as the first and most comprehensive exploration of the chain of events leading up to the fire, as well as its legal and human aftermath.
