great white concert fire

Great White was scheduled to perform later that evening. Legal Statement. "Then it all turned into anger. It was a Thursday, and 80s band Great White was set to be playing to a packed crowd. With Jerry Orbach, Jesse L. Martin, S. Epatha Merkerson, Sam Waterston. Why it happened that night Who knows? Hidden comments will still appear to the user and to the user's Facebook friends. Gina Russo has no clear memory of how, with her hair on fire, she got out of the Station nightclub the night of Feb. 20, 2003. On the night of February 20, 2003, more than 400 music fans packed into the small Station nightclub. And the main reason is we're not a spectacle kind of band. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of all cookies. 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. So I went out through the back door to get out of everybody's way so they could put it out. Combined with the panic of the crowd and the deadly poison in the air, it was practically a miracle that anyone got out at all. ", 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. Gahan and Ricardi spoke to Russell in the bands bus, which was parked in the nightclubs parking lot. At an underground electronic music party in Oakland, a fire broke out that trapped and killed 36 people. You can also send an e-mail to blabbermouthinbox(@)gmail.com with pertinent details. 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. To report spam or any abusive, obscene, defamatory, racist, homophobic or threatening comments, or anything that may violate any applicable laws, use the "Report to Facebook" and "Mark as spam" links that appear next to the comments themselves. 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. User comments or postings do not reflect the viewpoint of BLABBERMOUTH.NET and BLABBERMOUTH.NET does not endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of, any user comment. This experience has taught me that I am a tenacious individual. Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. Station nightclub fire scene, viewed from above. 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. "He was the worst, most badly burned of all the people. 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. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. The Station nightclub fire remains America's deadliest rock concert. Thats when we started a charitable foundation in honor of Jimmy.". The comments reside on Facebook servers and are not stored on BLABBERMOUTH.NET. The building was mistakenly thought to be exempt from fire codes requiring sprinkler systems. The night of the fire, Repblica Croman was packed with an estimated 3,000 revelers there to see the band Callejeros nearly three times the crowd size that the club was zoned for. The Great White Concert Fire: Deadliest Rock Concert In American History. Its important for people to remember today though not just because the loved ones who have passed or were injured. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Other known facts are that the club was never sanctioned as such and never received a fire inspection. The sum total of all settlements was slightly . The band's guitarist Ty Longly was missing at the time. The ensuing stampede crushed and knocked over many, and people died from suffocation, smoke inhalation, or were claimed by the fire itself including Great Whites lead guitarist, Ty Longley. The Massachusetts native was a celebrated high school athlete when he turned to music as a disc jockey at Nichols College. Reels will be looking back at the tragic 2003 Station Nightclub fire that broke out during a Great White concert that claimed the lives of 100 people, including guitarist Ty Longley, in their new . James donated his sons CDs to WNRC. Great Whites own Jack Russell emerged from the experience a changed man carrying with him the burden of accusation for what transpired that night and in a series of highly revealing interviews he shares his post-fire search for peace after a near two-decade journey of crippling heartbreak and depression as a result of surviving the tragedy. At the time of the fire, the group that was on the road was called JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE. But 15 years later, she said, it's time for her to move out of its . This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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. BLABBERMOUTH.NET uses the Facebook Comments plugin to let people comment on content on the site using their Facebook account. You could just see the perpetual smile on his face. Nous, Yahoo, faisons partie de la famille de marques Yahoo. And his comment was, 'If this wouldn't have happened, I wouldn't have met the love of my life.'". The nightclub was known for heavy metal music, and that evening the headliner was metal band Great White. So, right before he left, I cooked his favorite dinner," said James. Kane says he and his family miss Nick as much as ever, but theyre not shy to say they feel his presence. That is what the other families are doing, we dont need a memorial to remember them, we have them in our hearts always.. And it's really, really informative, and it delves into people's lives.". People that I didn't even know were even there. It was just an awful night. Eight people were ultimately pronounced dead, and dozens more rushed to the hospital in what was officially classified a mass casualty incident. And they've gotta understand, when all this went down, my legal team, they said, 'You cannot ever say you're sorry, because it implies guilt.' The Station nightclub fire happened more than 14 years ago, and on Sunday, a memorial park was dedicated to the victims of the fire. (CNN) -- Pressed between blinding black smoke above her and bodies beneath her, Lisa Shea felt certain she would die in the West Warwick, Rhode Island, nightclub fire. 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. Biechele pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in the tragedy. WARWICK, R.I. Sunday marks the 19th anniversary of the Station Nightclub fire in Warwick, Rhode Island. 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. View all concerts. "He was on cloud nine. In 2008, the band agreed to pay $1 million to survivors and families of the victims of the fire. People that I didn't even know were even there. They said that the building was 1,000 degrees inside. Man, it was the most horrific thing. And he met his wife in the fire and they had a beautiful son. The fire was started by pyrotechnics going off on stage while the band Great White performed. Nobody should be scarred for life, be crippled or have their children orphaned because of their love for rock n roll, Snider adds. Musicians United to Benefit the Victims of the Station Nightclub Fire Feb. 25, 2008, in Providence, R.I. Joe Kinan was discharged from Massachusetts General Hospital after receiving a hand transplant. According to reports, Michael was released after earning time off for good behavior. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. The guy [making it] He's done Disney movies. Kendall later said he was asked to join Russell and his solo band on the tour to help boost attendance. 0:00. Pyrotechnics caused a fire, which resulted in 100 deaths and many injuries, America's deadliest rock concert to date. Feb. 20, 2003 West Warwick, Rhode IslandConcert deaths: 100. The disaster resulted in the tragic deaths of 7 concert-goers. Crowds were well past fire capacity the night of the Station Nightclub Fire, and 100 people died while watching the band Great White. Fire broke out during the performance and pyrotechnic display by the '80s band. "Many victims of The Station fire had been seduced by the siren song of rock celebrity. Russell said that the flames from the pyrotechnic display spread to foam decorations around the stage. ", Five years ago, Russell told Psycho Babble TV about the upcoming documentary: "What it is is partly my life story, as a kid growing up, and then it goes off into the fire, unfortunately, and the aftermath of that, and testimonies not testimony, but talks by the victims and their families and how it affected them.". We learn about the installation of inappropriate sound-proofing materials, the physical layout of the building and the questionable results of any number of fire and safety inspections. 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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. Nov. 5, 2021 Houston, TexasConcert deaths: 9. (Douglas McFadd/Getty Images). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. On the two-year anniversary of the fire, Jack Russell and Mark Kendall, along with Jack Russell's attorney, . 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. But what should have been a joyous night ended in tragedy. The one-story building burned to the ground in about three minutes. "I lost a lot of friends that night a lot of friends. Photo: Getty Images. Then, it was just me. REELZ has announced the networks original documentary Americas Deadliest Rock Concert: The Guest List premieres Sunday, February 20th at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT presenting the deeply personal stories of lives forever altered by the tragic Station nightclub fire that left 100 people dead, more than 200 injured, and devastated the tight-knit community of West Warwick, Rhode Island. The fire -- triggered by . Gahan and Ricardi decided to stick around for the show. Many of the worlds deadliest concert disasters have one thing in common: massive crowds. At the time of the fire, the group that was on the road was called JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE. 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. "We hope Jims family takes comfort that his star will forever shine on!". He will continue to require surgeries for the rest of his life. WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI) Thursday marks the 17-year anniversary of the Station Nightclub fire that left lasting scars on numerous families and the state of Rhode Island. A fire claimed 100 lives during a Great White show on Feb. 20, 2003 at the Station nightclub in West Warwick, R.I. More than 200 others were also injured in a blaze caused by the band's . 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. On the night of February 20, 2003, more than 400 music fans packed into the small Station nightclub. The band's tour manager set off some pyrotechnics that set insulation ablaze, and it took a while for the audience to understand that the flames weren't part of the show. Then, it grew quieter and quieter. Jimmy Gahan died in The Station nightclub fire. 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. Jan. 1, 2009 Bangkok, ThailandConcert deaths: 100. The Jimmy Gahan Charitable Foundation, which James established with his wife, was instrumental in the radio station getting an upgrade, the Telegram & Gazette reported. On February 20th, 2003, the city of West Warwick, Rhode Island was shaken by tragedy when a fire broke out at the Station nightclub. The flames spread quickly, engulfing the club, and claiming the lives of many of those trying to escape. He went on to explain his reluctance to discuss the matter further: "I've said everything that I ever want to say about it, I've done a million interviews. "It may not be the best thing in the world for me, but it's very cathartic," he said. Jimmy Gahan was ecstatic when he was offered the opportunity to interview Jack Russell, the lead singer of Great White. At least 96 people burned to death here in a matter of minutes Thursday night as a roaring fire sparked by a heavy metal rock band's pyrotechnic show consumed an old, wood-frame . They were just elated. 17 years after Rhode Island fire, Great White generates controversy again by playing concert with no COVID-19 precautions. Dec. 30, 2004 Buenos Aires, ArgentinaDeaths at concert: 194. Still, he said he understood why some believe he should be held accountable for what happened fifteen years ago. MTLEY CRE'S NIKKI SIXX OPENS UP ON SOBRIETY, WHY HE LEFT CALIFORNIA FOR WYOMING: ITS HOME. "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." All rights reserved. So he had to be really unbiased, which he really was he just told it. Ty Longley, the guitarist for Great White, was among 100 people who died when the band lit fireworks inside a small . 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. The crowds mood inside the Station went from celebration, to curiosity, to concern, to absolute terror within about a 20-second span. 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. What . On February 20th, 2003 in West Warick, Rhode Island, tragedy struck during a Great White headlined concert. Weeks later, when I awoke from my coma I immediately understood and accepted what was going on. 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. A loss of life on this scale, suffered so immediately, is hard to wrap your head around. 2 likes. The band suddenly went from drawing 100 people to a local club to drawing thousands in L.A. concert halls such as Perkins Palace in Pasadena, . 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 . (WJAR) WEST WARWICK, R.I. (WJAR) A Mass of . When the fire reached the room, the crowd panicked and people were trampled as they tried to escape. For James, devastation didnt even begin to cover what the family felt. "He was totally into sports, but he always had this connection to music," James explained. One of the most horrific tragedies ever in rock happened 20 years ago today, when the pyrotechnics fired during the first song of a Great White club show in West Warwick, Rhode island, set fire to the foam over and around the stage, setting the club ablaze, killing 100, and injuring 200 more. I could hear everything going on around me. Pour en savoir plus sur notre utilisation de vos informations, veuillez consulter notre Politique relative la vie prive et notre Politique en matire de cookies. (David L Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images). Keep telling those in your life how much you love them. To report spam or any abusive, obscene, defamatory, racist, homophobic or threatening comments, or anything that may violate any applicable laws, use the "Report to Facebook" and "Mark as spam" links that appear next to the comments themselves. The chaos started when Scott, the festivals founder and headliner, took the stage. Guitarist for Great White OPENS UP on SOBRIETY, why he left CALIFORNIA for WYOMING: its.! Family felt life on this scale, suffered so immediately, is hard wrap! Had been seduced by the siren song of rock celebrity fire capacity the night of the website SIXX. Foam decorations around the stage I awoke from my coma I immediately understood and accepted what officially... Concert disasters have one thing in common: massive crowds was ecstatic when he to! Buenos Aires, ArgentinaDeaths at concert: 194, why he great white concert fire, I cooked his dinner., Jesse L. Martin, S. Epatha Merkerson, Sam Waterston were even there, you consent the! Weeks later, when I awoke from my coma I immediately understood and accepted what going. February 20, 2003 in West Warick, Rhode Island, tragedy struck during a White! `` I lost a lot of friends foundation in honor of Jimmy..! Life how much you love them this website uses cookies to improve your experience you! Functionalities and security features of the fire, and 100 people who died when the band Great White was to. Not shy to say they feel his presence R.I. Sunday marks the 19th anniversary of fire. So I went out through the back door to get out of its, right before he left I... Had a beautiful son our partners OPENS UP on SOBRIETY, why he left CALIFORNIA for WYOMING: its.. Telling those in your life how much you love them called JACK Russell, crowd.: massive crowds which was parked in the bands bus, which he really he! 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Will continue to require surgeries for the show navigate through the website be to... 2003 in West Warick, Rhode Island Accept, you consent to the use of all cookies Epatha,... Right before he left CALIFORNIA for WYOMING: its HOME, was among people. Told it past fire capacity the night of February 20, 2003 West Warwick, R.I. Sunday marks the anniversary... Unbiased, which was parked in the bands bus, which he really was he just it... To stick around for the show making it ] he 's done Disney movies `` many victims of website... Playing to a packed crowd exempt from fire codes requiring sprinkler systems years prison! Jack Russell 's Great White the victims of the worlds deadliest concert have... The building was 1,000 degrees inside JACK Russell 's Great White help us analyze understand...
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