Gahan and Ricardi decided to stick around for the show. Questions about true responsibility for the tragedy would remain . A version of this article was previously published in 2011, and was updated on Nov. 8, 2021. It is an object lesson in the tragic potential of poor decisions. WARWICK, R.I. Sunday marks the 19th anniversary of the Station Nightclub fire in Warwick, Rhode Island. I persevere each day.. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Market data provided by Factset. 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. (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. It was just an awful night. Great White's songs would never again be played by Rhode Island radio stations. . "Then it all turned into anger. 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, He and his pal, Michael Ricardi, were the hosts of "Jim and Mikeys Power Hour" on the college radio station WNRC. Official "America's Deadliest Concert: The Guest List" description: "Fates of the innocent and guilty collide in a small New England town when pyrotechnics from an 80's rock band spark America's deadliest rock concert. 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. ", Jimmy Gahan died in The Station nightclub fire. 'Cause I saw on the wall it was just a very small part of the foam [that] had caught fire, and I thought for sure they would just put it out. We just want Give us a lot of lights, maybe a little fog on the ballad and girls backstage. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. It remains Americas deadliest rock concert. Great White was scheduled to perform later that evening. With Jerry Orbach, Jesse L. Martin, S. Epatha Merkerson, Sam Waterston. 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. It was a horrible thing that happened. 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. 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. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. 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. apparently he was there from a local news station filming a piece on nightclub safety hazards. Christmas Day is supposed to be happy and pleasant, a time to gather with loved ones for a chill and relaxing celebration. 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. 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. Feb. 20, 2003 West Warwick, Rhode IslandConcert deaths: 100. But I didn't know anyone in [Jack's solo] band; I just met 'em for the first time [on that tour].". Today, James said Ricardi has stayed in touch with the family. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. In 2008, members of Great White agreed to pay $1 million to survivors and victims relatives, Billboard reported. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! I said to myself, If I have a choice in this Im not going out this way. I heard the voice of a firefighter yell, Weve got one over here. I was placed on a stretcher and rushed to the nearest hospital. You can also send an e-mail to blabbermouthinbox(@)gmail.com with pertinent details. Rock Concert Tragedies original sound - Porkchop Pete. One member, guitarist Ty Longley, was killed in the fire. Several had fallen and the crowd pressed on, suffocating those at the bottom of the pile. In 2003, 100 people died and over 200 were injured at a rock concert in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Once you're logged in, you will be able to comment. A fire at a rock concert in a West Warwick, Rhode Island, nightclub kills 100 people and seriously injures almost 200 more on February 20, 2003. . All rights reserved. Great White- "Face the Day (Blues Mix)". "He would always go to concerts, and thats how he met Mike Ricardi. Station nightclub fire scene, viewed from above. Gahans father, James Gahan, also spoke out for the special. There's a certain thing in music that is very healing, and it's helped a lot of people through the aftermath of the fire.". "He was on cloud nine. Great White is not due to play near your location currently - but they are scheduled to play 5 concerts across 1 country in 2023-2024. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. This was a tragedy of a magnitude not seen before in Rhode Island. 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 in West Warick, Rhode Island, tragedy struck during a Great White headlined concert. Then, it was just me. 2022. "The film contrasts Jack Russell's post-fire journey, in a search for redemption, with survivor Joe Kinan's rebirth, courage and inspiration. Not including the 2017 terror attacks at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester Arena and the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas, crushing crowds and fires have caused some of the most dangerous and deadly concert tragedies. The Station nightclub fire remains America's deadliest rock concert. 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. "Many victims of The Station fire had been seduced by the siren song of rock celebrity. When the fire reached the room, the crowd panicked and people were trampled as they tried to escape. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Weeks after the fire, the actual charred, handwritten guest list was recovered from the club's ashes. In less than 90 seconds, most of those who hadnt already made their escape would be trapped inside. The fire site looked like the scene of a battle, fought and lost, comments John Barylick. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. A memorial park now occupies the space on Cowesett Avenue where the club once stood, a place where friends and families of the victims, along with survivors, go to remember those lost. or redistributed. Check out what clicked this week in entertainment. '", According to Russell, at least one "really beautiful" thing came out of the tragedy. Russell said that parts of the movie are especially hard for him to watch "because a lot of people blame me." To do so, click the downward arrow on the top-right corner of the Facebook comment (the arrow is invisible until you roll over it) and select the appropriate action. In 2008, the band agreed to pay $1 million to survivors and families of the victims of the fire. 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 . So when they opened doors, the backdraft or whatever made it just go up. The people intertwined with this event struggle to cope in the aftermath of disaster some gracefully, and some less so. Some mention sparklers, some say there may have been an electrical problem, others say it started as a result of pyrotechnics in the club. What is the deadliest rock concert in history? Survivors described a ghastly scene that began when the heavy metal band Great White lighted pyrotechnic cones on stage minutes after its concert began around 11 p.m. and a shower of white sparks . Many of the worlds deadliest concert disasters have one thing in common: massive crowds. May 6-7. 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. The Great White Concert Fire: Deadliest Rock Concert In American History. October 7, 2022. 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 Guest List is based in part on John Barylick's narrative non-fiction work, killer show . For what its worth, you have been in my prayers and always will be., Russell performed a benefit concert on Feb. 7, 2013 in commemoration of the tragedy, with all proceeds going to the victims families. "America's Deadliest Rock Concert: The Guest List" premiers Feb 20th on @ReelzChannelhttps://t.co/uQPOE13agm, Dee Snider (@deesnider) February 5, 2022. Email: info@themusicuniverse.com. Throughout the park, each of the fire's victims are honored by name, while tributes also thank the first responders for their life-saving efforts that night. Legal Statement. 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. 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