via The Smoking Gun —
Turns out the band’s rider had no mention of pyrotechnics whatsoever.
I used to get worried about this stuff when I went to a lot of rock shows in the 80’s and early 90’s.
Often, I’d be taking pictures in the pit in front of the stage when things went off — and there didn’t seem to be anyone in charge, or nearly enough safety people. (Or *any* safety people, for that matter.)
I seemed to be the only one who was worried about it. I finally stopped going to a lot of these shows because I wasn’t into the loud explosions anymore, which apparently came into fashion in the early-to-mid-90’s.
I hope this will deter other bands from using pyrotechnics unsafely. (Or at all for that matter — which is safest. I personally don’t think they belong in enclosed areas whatsoever, but I’m a ninny.)
I do also hope that the public shows mercy to Mr. Russell. Apparently, he hasn’t been arrested or anything, yet. Strangely enough. So maybe I’m worried for nothing…Maybe it’s just a horrible accident and no one’s responsible. But I have a feeling there are 95 sets of parents that aren’t going to feel that way.
Great White Rider
TSG today (2/21) obtained copies of the band’s rider from two separate promoters who booked shows by the group during the past month. A copy of the Great White performance specs can be found below. A third promoter, Domenic Santana, told TSG that the band set off a pyrotechnic display without his permission during a show in Asbury Park, New Jersey last Friday (2/14), putting the “lives of a lot of people in danger.” Santana, owner of the Stone Pony, said that he “had no idea” that pyrotechnics were part of the rock band’s show and pointed to Great White’s standard performance rider, which makes no reference to pyrotechnic displays…
Owners of The Station, the Rhode Island club where scores perished, this afternoon released a statement claiming that they, too, were never told about Great White’s pyrotechnic plans.
I’ve even seen Great White a couple times – during the “Sirens” and “Hall of the Mountain King” tours. Note: Yes, of course the “Sirens” show was better than the second one) — but my point is that they used unsupervised pyrotechnics even back then. They’ve been doing it for twenty years! (Oops. I was confusing Savatage with Great White. Ouch. How the hell I did that I dunno. Both high school bands to me at the time, I suppose. Many apologies to Savatage — please be assured I’ve kicked my own ass several times and I promise I’ll never make the same mistake again.)
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