Most of the nearly 200 casualties were the result of inhaling smoke and toxic fumes rather than being crushed or burned. TMZ.com. The club's owners were fined just over $1 million for their negligence and sentenced to fifteen years; four served and eleven suspended. The disaster resulted in the tragic deaths of 7 concert-goers. 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. 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. Croman was a rock club in Barrio Once in Buenos Aires. The fire was started by pyrotechnics going off on stage while the band Great White performed. "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. WARWICK, R.I. Sunday marks the 19th anniversary of the Station Nightclub fire in Warwick, Rhode Island. It was just an awful night. Great White is a hard rock band that formed in 1978 in Los Angeles, California, United States. 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 . Great White toured with Guns N' Roses, hit the charts, and dissolved in a blur of betrayal and substance abuse. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of all cookies. TMU participates in various affiliate and advertising programs, including, but not limited to, Amazon, Ticketmaster, and others, and earns from qualifying purchases. 58 Likes, TikTok video from Porkchop Pete (@porkchop_pete): "Do You Remember These Rock Concert Disasters? I spent the next 50 weeks in the hospital. 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 . 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). So [the movie] gave me the opportunity to talk about how I felt and for me to apologize. There, an underpass that led to the concert grounds became clogged with people who entered the tunnel despite no one being let into the festival at the time. ", 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. These cookies do not store any personal information. We just want Give us a lot of lights, maybe a little fog on the ballad and girls backstage. Like. That said, it's also the sort of thing that needs to be examined in the hope of preventing similar calamities in the future. But 15 years later, she said, it's time for her to move out of its . According to the BBC, attendees blamed the tragedy on the police who closed several exits, ushering the crowds through others that were not destined for the purpose. The official line was that fans, too eager to leave, climbed fences, and one of them collapsed, causing the 11 deaths. "Honestly, I haven't been asked a question about the fire in I can't remember how many years now," he said. 17 years after Rhode Island fire, Great White generates controversy again by playing concert with no COVID-19 precautions. He died. It was the first procedure of its kind at the Massachusetts General Hospital Hand Transplantation Service. On February 20th, 2003, the city of West Warwick, Rhode Island was shaken by tragedy when a fire broke out at the Station nightclub. So I went out through the back door to get out of everybody's way so they could put it out. Join our newsletter for exclusive features, tips, giveaways! In 2010, it was hosted in Duisburg. May 23, 2009 Rabat, MoroccoDeaths at concert: 11. 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. And his comment was, 'If this wouldn't have happened, I wouldn't have met the love of my life. The truth is ugly but should never be forgotten. 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. First responders share their experiences of battling the blaze, treating victims and managing the chaos as it unfolded. In 2008, the band agreed to pay $1 million to survivors and families of the victims of the fire. "It was just an awful experience," Mark said. Viewers will also see rare and jarring footage from the first news crews on the scene tasked with reporting the horrific event as victims families eagerly awaited news. Sat-Sun. A formal ceremony is in the works for the 20th anniversary of the fire. For many of those fans what appeared to be their lucky day turned out to be their last. It was the deadliest mass casualty event in Oakland since the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. In less than 90 seconds, most of those who hadnt already made their escape would be trapped inside. "America's Deadliest Rock Concert: The Guest List" premiers Feb 20th on @ReelzChannelhttps://t.co/uQPOE13agm, Dee Snider (@deesnider) February 5, 2022. "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 . 100 people died and more than 200 others were injured. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The Station nightclub fire happened more than 14 years ago, and on Sunday, a memorial park was dedicated to the victims of the fire. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Even after I was released, at the end of each day I felt as if I needed to go home to the hospital. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. July 25, 2010 Duisburg, GermanyDeaths at concert: 21. While he survived, Ricardi spent years suffering from survivors guilt. "The documentary addresses timeless themes of personal responsibility, acceptance forgiveness and redemption. As people drive by, they should be reminded to do the right thing and make sure the people that we hire, do the right thing.. The Story of the Great White Concert Fire Tragedy. Survivor Joe Kinans courage, and even humor, in the face of the horrific challenges he faced recovering serve as powerful reminders of the endurance of the human spirit.. One hundred people were killed and more than 200 injured from a crowd that attended the performance of the band Great White at the Station nightclub. But what should have been a joyous night ended in tragedy. So it was kind of strange. 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. 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. Audiences had been waiting for an outdoor performance by Sugarland when 70 mile-per-hour wind blew through the fairground and caused the stage to collapse. "He went to get more information. Try plastic surgery for autographs, Fan brings Olympian Mary Lou Retton to tears, RISPCA has nearly 30 guinea pigs up for adoption, February vacation events around Southern New England, How you can help those affected by Station fire, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 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. 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 . Lunar time zone push begins, Hate your signature? 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. So [the movie] gave me the opportunity to talk about how I felt and for me to apologize. According to reports, Michael was released after earning time off for good behavior. That was the last time I saw him. Why it happened that night Who knows? Russell said that parts of the movie are especially hard for him to watch "because a lot of people blame me." And people have said, 'Well, he's not remorseful.' 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). The ornate Cabaret room, where two comics were warming up an audience of at least a thousand people in a space meant for about 600, held the majority of the buildings occupants. The Massachusetts native was a celebrated high school athlete when he turned to music as a disc jockey at Nichols College. With intimate insight from people who were impacted by the tragedy, this is a potent portrait of humanity, from deep resentment and brutal suffering to resilience and the power of community., This documentary addresses timeless themes of personal responsibility, loss, courage and forgiveness. The Station fire was a perfect storm of human error that became one of the worst nightclub tragedies in US history. It was something that I hoped that people would remember, just because of the nature of it and the fact that we need to take care of ourselves when we're out at places; we need to be conscious of our safety. This experience has taught me that I am a tenacious individual. Partially in return for this openness and admission of responsibility, many of those same families publicly supported his early parole, which was granted about halfway through his sentence. Its unclear what started the fire in Santika Nightclub while hundreds rang in the new year and the band Burn played. The one-story building burned to the ground in about three minutes. Eight people were ultimately pronounced dead, and dozens more rushed to the hospital in what was officially classified a mass casualty incident. While it was quasi-reasonably assumed by some people in the crowd that the flames were part of the act, the reality of the matter set in fast when the band stopped playing and, in under a minute, the stage was consumed by fire. With Jerry Orbach, Jesse L. Martin, S. Epatha Merkerson, Sam Waterston. GREAT WHITE guitarist Mark Kendall spoke to the "Sally Steele Rocks! We want him to know that we keep him as part of our family always, Kane said. On the night of the concert, Gahan was gearing up to interview Russell for their show. Just moments after 11:00 p.m., All rights reserved. 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. Dee Snider of Twisted Sister performs during Phoenix Rising! 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. Seen through the human lens of victims, survivors and their families, the fire and milestones of healing physical and emotional scars all come into focus in this poignant television event, shares Steve Cheskin, SVP of Programming at REELZ. James said the foundation gave the family a sense of comfort and purpose during their grief. The outlet reported that the surviving band members were never charged. Infamous Great White Concert Fire. More than 200 others were injured. 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. Local company Stanley Tree Service hung lights for 100 minutes to honor every person killed and injured. Find information on all of Great White's upcoming concerts, tour dates and ticket information for 2023-2024. Great White- "Face the Day (Blues Mix)". GREAT WHITE guitarist Mark Kendall spoke to the "Sally Steele Rocks! Kendall later said he was asked to join Russell and his solo band on the tour to help boost attendance. 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 . We pretty much knew at that point it was just going to be a question of identification.". So he had to be really unbiased, which he really was he just told it. The fire starts during the band's opening number, "Desert Moon," when pyrotechnics ignite the soundproof insulation at the . Gahans family helped pass legislation in Massachusetts that would require automatic sprinkler systems in bars and nightclubs with an occupancy of 100 or more people. apparently he was there from a local news station filming a piece on nightclub safety hazards. Fire broke out during the performance and pyrotechnic display by the '80s band. This past December, former GREAT WHITE singer Jack Russell, whose pyrotechnics ignited the deadly blaze on February 20, 2003 in Rhode Island, told Tulsa Music Stream about the documentary: "We took three years shooting this thing. Great White Concert History. Feb 20 2003, 400 music fans of Great White packed into the small Station nightclub. 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. He was 21. "And I even called the manager, I go, 'You're calling it 'Jack Russell's GREAT WHITE'?' It was then that my wife and I realized we needed a place where we could channel our energies, our emotions. He was 21. 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. 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