(ROBERT E. KLEIN/ASSOCIATED PRESS/FILE)
By MICHELLE R. SMITH, Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A foundation working to build a memorial at the site of a 2003 Rhode Island nightclub fire that killed 100 people has asked the lead singer of the band that played that night to take the foundation’s name off a benefit concert he’s planning.
The fire at The Station nightclub was started by pyrotechnics for the band, Great White. The 10th anniversary is Feb. 20.
Jack Russell announced Tuesday that he would play a Feb. 7 benefit for the Station Fire Memorial Foundation near Los Angeles.
The foundation learned of the show Wednesday. It says it doesn’t want to be associated with it because of the animosity many survivors and families of those killed feel toward Russell.
Russell says he will give the money to a different charity.
Really? Really? They should be happy to let him do that for the foundation. At least remembers what happened & still wants to do something about it. I see it as a noble thing that he was doing. He burnt a building down, and wants to help financially to build a memorial FOR the victims. How does the foundation not see that?
Sorry you can’t buy off what you did with money. The foundation made a great decision. About time we jettison these self-serving irresponsible people and groups. The news of full of them, i.e. ND football player and Tour de France cheating champ, etc.
It’s been 10 years, so the details aren’t so clear anymore, but the article says that the fire was started by pyrotechnics, not by the lead singer. why is their animosity towards him? did he ask to do the light show and get told no, then do it anyway? and did he light it? I just forget “who dunnit” and I agree with everything Tasha said above…
it was a horrible accident and not intentional, Sad they blame him especially when he wants to try to make a mends and support this foundation. But the world is full of finger pointing these days and little of forgiving. Sad on the part of the foundation.
I never said he was trying to buy the foundation off. I was saying that apparently he wanted to be a part of building the memorial. Which he should. I also feel that the band and anyone else involved, should help physically build the memorial too. I agree with Lynnette Cash. I think people forget that the club was over capacity, what are the club owners/employees doing?
club owner went to jail..
@David Kleszczynski, I did not know that, I apologize. But still, what about everyone else? There were plenty of people involved that made it out alive. Personally, if I was one of those people, I would feel some responsibility & would do something about it.
Hes the reason those people are dead. That would be like letting a murderer speak at his victims funeral. I give props to the organization for standing up to him.
maybe each of his fans should each send in a check, for $1, and in the memo area of each check write: On behalf of Jack Russell.
Ps if you don’t know anything about the situation don’t comment. It involves peoples lives and lives lost.
The lead singer thinkinh he was still sn arena band set the pyrotechnics up on stage in a night club at the last second and it set the walls on fire.
At the person stating his fans shoild send money. Its 2013 great white has maybe 5 fans.
says you.
i had asked this question. now you have answered – thanks.
i knew of the situation – 10 years ago. sadly, as life went on, i forgot and asked for someone to help me remember, n=because this news article says that the pyros set the fire. thanks for clarifying now.
i respect your decision to back the foundation’s decision, but respect that i was asking for info. to help me remember….and therefore, don’t tell me not to comment as i have every right.
Jack Russell did not cause the fire. He isn’t asking for anyone’s forgiveness. Let him donate, let him help. No one can say what this tragedy had done to him. Aside from his guitarist, he lost a lot of fans that night, who were there to enjoy his music. Pyros can be safely used in a small club, but the materials around the stage should have been fireproof. Let the suffering on ALL sides end.