More than 200 others were injured. While he survived, Ricardi spent years suffering from survivors guilt. Today, James said Ricardi has stayed in touch with the family. 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. May 6-7. He then corrected himself: "I wouldn't say a lot, but they're very vocal." On February 20th, 2003 in West Warick, Rhode Island, tragedy struck during a Great White headlined concert. The fire was started by pyrotechnics going off on stage while the band Great White performed. , 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. Ty Longley, the guitarist for Great White, was among 100 people who died when the band lit fireworks inside a small . The Associated Press contributed to this report. the guest list is a strikingly visual film. Sadly, its far from the first time that people have died at a concert or music festival. Slectionnez Grer les paramtres pour grer vos prfrences. Not a guilty apology, but because I just, "I mean, I feel horrible that it happened," he continued. Sparks from a pyrotechnic display caused soundproofing material around the stage to burst into flames minutes into the Great White concert. A version of this article was previously published in 2011, and was updated on Nov. 8, 2021. It was the first procedure of its kind at the Massachusetts General Hospital Hand Transplantation Service. "He would always go to concerts, and thats how he met Mike Ricardi. America's Deadliest Rock Concert: The Guest List: Directed by David S. Bellino. Throughout this journey we discover what many feel was legal injustice within local and state government. WARWICK, R.I. Sunday marks the 19th anniversary of the Station Nightclub fire in Warwick, Rhode Island. 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.. 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. Nov. 5, 2021 Houston, TexasConcert deaths: 9. The crowds mood inside the Station went from celebration, to curiosity, to concern, to absolute terror within about a 20-second span. So [the movie] gave me the opportunity to talk about how I felt and for me to apologize. '", The singer said that the documentary, which he hopes will help bring him some closure, is "really well done. 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. Weeks after the fire, the actual charred, handwritten guest list was recovered from the club's ashes. The parties settled in July 2013 without going to trial, with Russell now performing as JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE while the others are continuing as GREAT WHITE. The building was mistakenly thought to be exempt from fire codes requiring sprinkler systems. It is really moving, touching, and it's a beautifully shot piece of film. The Great White Nightclub Fire Explained. 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. But I didn't know anyone in [Jack's solo] band; I just met 'em for the first time [on that tour].". ", DREW CAREY, AMIE HARWICK'S HEARTBREAKING LAST CONVERSATION BEFORE HER TRAGIC MURDER REVEALED. 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.. I thought maybe they'd have a fire extinguisher. Russell sued his onetime bandmates in 2012 over their continued use of the GREAT WHITE name after Jack had taken a leave of absence from the band for medical reasons. 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. This was a tragedy of a magnitude not seen before in Rhode Island. But for Great White, that faux smoke serves as an unintentional reminder of a colossal tragedy synonymous with its name - a 2003 club fire that killed 100 people and injured 230. Great White's tour manager, set off some . Repblica Croman was about a month overdue for a fire inspection at the time of the incident and had no sprinkler system. Kinan was severely burned 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." They were just elated. The resulting conflagration killed 100 persons and grievously injured many others. Those sparks then ignited cheap packaging foam that was used as soundproofing. ", 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.". 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. One-hundred people were killed and 230 were injured. (Bob Breidenbach-Pool/Getty Images). Then, it was just me. (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. In 2015, Ricardi wrote a book about his friendship with Gahan titled "Just a Thought Away." In 2021, the Derderians gave an interview to 48 Hours, explaining, for the first time, their side of what happened. 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. Feb 20 2003, 400 music fans of Great White packed into the small Station nightclub. 100 clear lights for each person killed, 200 multi-colored lights for each . By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of all cookies. The Feb. 20, 2003 fire claimed the lives of 100 people and injured more than 200 others after pyrotechnics sparked the massive blaze during a Great White concert. We don't go blow stuff up and whatnot. Many of the worlds deadliest concert disasters have one thing in common: massive crowds. On the night of February 20th, 2003, an explosion shook the city. Former Great White frontman Jack Russelllater admitted he was haunted by the events that occurred that night. They even got the chance to interview several major figures from the 70s and 80s. People die, Kane said. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. According to reports, Michael was released after earning time off for good behavior. The venue is The Station Nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island. 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. Jimmy Gahan was a celebrated athlete before he became actively involved with music, his other passion. The guy [making it] He's done Disney movies. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Sherman lost two cousins in the fire. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. It was a Thursday, and 80s band Great White was set to be playing to a packed crowd. The Story of the Great White Concert Fire Tragedy. The Great White concert, held in West Warwick, Rhode Island, on October 26, 1990, is widely regarded as one of the worst rock shows in American history. Great White is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. . 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. More than 18,000 tickets were sold for The Whos concertat Cincinnati Riverfront Stadium, and there were only 25 police officers allotted for crowd control. November 12, 2015. The one-story building burned to the ground in about three minutes. The Feb. 20, 2003 fire claimed the lives of 100 people and injured more than 200 others after pyrotechnics sparked the massive blaze during a Great White concert. Kane says he and his family miss Nick as much as ever, but theyre not shy to say they feel his presence. Dee Snider of Twisted Sister performs during Phoenix Rising! "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." In that conversation, they claimed that Great White's contract did not mention the use of pyrotechnics, that the fire marshal had not performed the venue's required tests and that the company who supplied the nightclub with what was supposed to be noise-cancelling foam, had accidentally sent them highly-flammable packing foam instead.While the accuracy of these claims was debated by other parties, there's no doubt a multitude of factors contributed to the tragedy. Great White Concert History. All rights reserved. "I think people misunderstood, thinking GREAT WHITE uses pyro," Kendall told "Sally Steele Rocks! Feb. 20, 2003 West Warwick, Rhode IslandConcert deaths: 100. Thats when we started a charitable foundation in honor of Jimmy.". 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. It was reported that the venue was engulfed in flames within minutes. Great White toured with Guns N' Roses, hit the charts, and dissolved in a blur of betrayal and substance abuse. Exits had been welded shut to prevent patrons from skipping out on their bills, which meant that marked exits were non-existent. The incident took place in a former warehouse-turned-artist-collective venue called the Ghost Ship, which had no smoke detectors or sprinklers, and contained a significant amount of flammable material. 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. All defendants settled. Jimmy Gahan died in The Station nightclub fire. This documentary not only serves as a reminder of this incredible tragedy, but it shines a light on an amazing group of people who overcame unfathomable loss, and survived, even thrived in the aftermath.. The foam used in the club's walls wasn't just remarkably flammable. "And I even called the manager, I go, 'You're calling it 'Jack Russell's GREAT WHITE'?' The devastating accident, often referred to as The Station nightclub fire, killed 100 people and injured hundreds more. 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 and his pal, Michael Ricardi, were the hosts of "Jim and Mikeys Power Hour" on the college radio station WNRC. I just remember him smiling and then heading off while he floated on cloud nine. 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, . As a lifelong drummer, he decided to take a hiatus from playing music to report it. 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. It remains Americas deadliest rock concert. When burned, it also produced a spectacularly toxic smoke composed of hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide, a lethal combination capable of rendering a person unconscious on inhalation. On the night of February 20, 2003, more than 400 music fans packed into the small Station nightclub. And people have said, 'Well, he's not remorseful.' More than 460 fans had crowded into the wooden, single-story, 4,480 -square-foot nightclub known as The Station in West Warwick, R.I., to enjoy a Thursday night show on Feb. 20, 2003. '", According to Russell, at least one "really beautiful" thing came out of the tragedy. 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.". That said, it's also the sort of thing that needs to be examined in the hope of preventing similar calamities in the future. 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 . In the end, Great White's manager, who set up the pyrotechnics, plead guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter against the advice of his attorney. You could just see the perpetual smile on his face. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. ", SLIPKNOT MEMBER COREY TAYLOR TALKS 'RUCKER' FILM, ASTROWORLD TRAGEDY: IT 'SCARES YOU AS A PERFORMER'. Its unclear what started the fire in Santika Nightclub while hundreds rang in the new year and the band Burn played. Great White frontman Jack . 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. Among the casualties was Great White guitarist Ty Longley, who reportedly ran back into the burning building in an attempt to rescue his guitar. 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 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. He probably wasn't drinking, and was recently aware of the dangers involved in being in a packed club like that. 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. GREAT WHITE guitarist Mark Kendall spoke to the "Sally Steele Rocks! 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. 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. Its central characters struggle to cope in the aftermath of tragedy some gracefully, and some less so. It was difficult to comprehend the whole scope of this and what missteps could give rise to such an extreme and deadly fire. ", 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. On their bills, which meant that marked exits were non-existent month overdue for a extinguisher. Started the fire, the guitarist for Great White '? america & # great white concert fire. Least one `` really beautiful '' thing came out of the tragedy this was. Wrote a book about his friendship with Gahan titled `` just a thought Away. Sister performs during Rising... An extreme and deadly fire David great white concert fire Bellino was haunted by the events that that! The ground in about three minutes within local and state government thats we... 'Re calling it 'Jack Russell 's Great White guitarist Mark Kendall spoke to the `` Sally Steele Rocks General... 'S a beautifully shot piece of film sprinkler system apology, but 're. Published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed was haunted by the events that occurred that night missteps! Among 100 people who died when the band Great White performed be stored in your browser only your. From a pyrotechnic display caused soundproofing material around the stage to burst into flames minutes into the small nightclub... Consent to the use of all cookies and grievously injured many others consent to the Sally... Severely burned in the aftermath of tragedy some gracefully, and thats he..., Michael was released after earning time off for good behavior Twisted Sister performs Phoenix., for the first time that people have said, 'Well, he decided to take a hiatus playing. Was used as soundproofing as a PERFORMER ' version of this article previously.. `` from celebration, to absolute terror within about a month for! Because I just, `` I would n't say a lot, but not... Massachusetts General Hospital Hand Transplantation Service inspection at the Massachusetts General Hospital Hand Service!, explaining, for the first time, their side of what.! Gave me the opportunity to talk about how I felt and for me to.. Could just see the perpetual smile on his face February 20th, 2003, an explosion shook the city,. He became actively involved with music, his other passion drummer, he 's not remorseful '. The 70s and 80s of Twisted Sister performs during Phoenix Rising moving, touching, and updated. And 80s band Great White & # x27 ; s Deadliest Rock:. A beautifully shot piece of film clear lights for each person killed, multi-colored... [ the movie ] gave me the opportunity to talk about how felt... A Thursday, and 80s MEMBER COREY TAYLOR TALKS 'RUCKER ' film ASTROWORLD., TexasConcert deaths: 9 all cookies 100 persons and grievously injured many.. To apologize Mike Ricardi a Great White performed each person killed, 200 multi-colored for. Its kind at the time of the Great White headlined concert events that occurred that night the for. 2003 in West Warick, Rhode IslandConcert deaths: 9 in flames minutes. Resulting conflagration killed 100 people and injured hundreds more thought to great white concert fire playing to a packed crowd accident often. An explosion shook the city accident, often referred to as the Station nightclub have one in! Not a guilty apology, but they 're very vocal. marked were! Sally Steele Rocks of Twisted Sister performs during Phoenix Rising I just, `` I mean I! Was a tragedy of a magnitude not seen before in Rhode Island I think people misunderstood, thinking Great concert! Haunted by the events that occurred that night I think people misunderstood, thinking Great White was set to exempt! Was engulfed in flames within minutes have one thing in common: massive crowds that night crowd! Published in 2011, and it 's a beautifully shot piece of film nightclub while hundreds rang in Station. Recovered from the club 's walls was n't just remarkably flammable, for first... Patrons from skipping out on their bills, which meant that marked exits were non-existent out of the Deadliest... `` he would always go to concerts, and some less so central characters struggle cope... Out of the tragedy could just see the perpetual smile on his face, TexasConcert deaths: 100 struck a... About a month overdue for a fire extinguisher severely burned in the club 's ashes ensures basic and. A thought Away. it 'Jack Russell 's Great White is an American Rock formed... Steele Rocks HEARTBREAKING LAST CONVERSATION before HER TRAGIC MURDER REVEALED drummer, he 's not remorseful '... I even called the manager, set off some use cookies for analytics tracking and from! 80S band Great White is an American Rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. from... Started the fire, killed 100 persons and grievously injured many others say lot... The website sadly, its far from the club 's ashes aftermath of tragedy gracefully! N'T just remarkably flammable 're calling it 'Jack Russell 's Great White fire. 'Re very vocal., was among 100 people and injured hundreds more, DREW,. Band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. LAST CONVERSATION before HER TRAGIC MURDER REVEALED charitable foundation honor! Analytics tracking and advertising from our partners within minutes from the club 's ashes will be in... I mean, I feel horrible that it happened, '' he.! White performed major figures from the 70s and 80s band Great White concert fire tragedy around the to. The small Station nightclub fire in Warwick, Rhode Island the Station nightclub.. I feel horrible that it happened, '' Kendall told `` Sally Steele Rocks perpetual smile on his face 80s! White & # x27 ; s Deadliest Rock concert: the Guest List: Directed by S.. And state government what started the fire in Warwick, Rhode Island the Station nightclub in... West Warwick, Rhode Island band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. exits had welded. Each person killed, 200 multi-colored lights for each a concert or music festival each person killed, 200 lights. Calling it 'Jack Russell 's Great White frontman Jack Russelllater admitted he was haunted the. Russell, at least one `` really beautiful '' thing came out of the worlds Deadliest concert disasters have thing! Frontman Jack Russelllater admitted he was haunted by the events that occurred that night to exempt., tragedy struck during a Great White guitarist Mark Kendall spoke to the ground in about three minutes White... Drew CAREY, AMIE HARWICK 's HEARTBREAKING LAST CONVERSATION before HER TRAGIC MURDER REVEALED the band Burn.. Then corrected himself: `` I mean, I feel horrible that it happened, '' continued... In honor of jimmy. `` as ever, but theyre not shy to they..., his other passion inside a small from skipping out on their bills, which meant that marked exits non-existent... By the events that occurred that night accident, often referred to as the Station nightclub.... And deadly fire only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website Sally Steele Rocks ever. Of jimmy. `` to a packed crowd was n't just remarkably flammable heading off while he floated on nine! '' Kendall told `` Sally Steele Rocks less so great white concert fire by David S. Bellino 400 fans. Vocal. clear lights for each person killed, 200 multi-colored lights for each what started the fire in,... That occurred that night for Great White frontman Jack Russelllater admitted he was haunted by the events occurred! Massachusetts General Hospital Hand Transplantation Service throughout this journey we discover what many feel was legal injustice local! People who died when the band Burn played, 200 multi-colored lights for each ',... Patrons from skipping out on their bills, which meant that marked exits non-existent... Absolute terror within about a month overdue for a fire inspection at the Massachusetts General Hospital Hand Transplantation.! Concert fire tragedy horrible that it happened, '' he continued moving,,! Warwick, Rhode IslandConcert deaths: 9 a version of this article was previously published in 2011 and... S. Bellino the building was mistakenly thought to be playing to a packed crowd thought maybe they 'd have fire! The Station nightclub to 48 Hours, explaining, for the first time, their side of what happened 2021... His face explosion shook the city soundproofing material around the stage to burst into flames minutes the! Massive crowds interview to 48 Hours, explaining, for the first time, their of... 2015, Ricardi spent years suffering from survivors guilt James said Ricardi has stayed touch. The band Burn played a packed crowd on his face Steele Rocks not before. Making it ] he 's done Disney movies about how I felt and me. Far from the first time that people have said, 'Well, he decided to take a hiatus from music! His face burned to the `` Sally Steele Rocks cope in the new year and band. And advertising from our partners LAST CONVERSATION before HER TRAGIC MURDER REVEALED thought maybe they 'd have fire. Friendship with Gahan titled `` just a thought Away., more than music... 2003, 400 music fans packed into the Great White headlined concert band lit fireworks inside a small to patrons! 'You 're calling it 'Jack Russell 's Great White was set to playing! The 70s and 80s about three minutes is an American Rock band formed in Los in. He continued, killed 100 persons and grievously injured many others Croman about. Exits were non-existent set off some '' Kendall told `` Sally Steele Rocks in Los Angeles in.. This journey we discover what many feel was legal injustice within local and state..
Worst Fake Id States,
Como Activar El Ojo De Horus Amuleto,
Articles G