Great White remembers fire victims
Everett is one of the first stops in the band's multi-city Station Family Fund tour, which launches today in Springfield, Va. The Station Family Fund was created by survivors of the Feb. 20 fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, R.I. Since July, Great White has raised $27,000 for the fund, which helps pay for a range of services, including clothing, food, mortgage payments and burial services. One-hundred percent of the band's profits from the current tour will go to the relief fund.
The Station Family Fund tour is more than a gesture from the band, but an important step in moving forward from an unthinkable tragedy, Great White's frontman Jack Russell said during a telephone interview last week.
"I was tired of sitting and going why me, why me," Russell said. "I thought this was something I could do to help these people instead of feeling sorry for myself.
"We didn't want to make it depressing or a wake. It's very emotional, it's hard," Russell continued. "At the same time it's very healing. This is the only way I know how to help people out."
In the wake of the fire, the band expressed interest in doing benefit concerts to raise money for the victims and their families but was unsure of how to go about setting up a fund. Victoria Potvin, president of the Station Family Fund and a fire survivor, contacted the band's attorney to apprise them of the Station Family Fund and how the group could help.
For the most part, Potvin said, the community has welcomed Great White's efforts to raise money for the victims.
"Whether or not someone finds blame or places blame with the band, everyone realizes there's a great financial need and they understand that the funds being raised are the most important," she said.
"I think everyone is trying to move forward with their lives as best as possible. I think that it's pretty important that people understand that even though the fire itself may be over, there is a great deal of recovery still left for people, financial, emotional and physical."
The '80s heavy-metal rock band, perhaps best known for the single "Once Bitten Twice Shy," no longer uses pyrotechnics in their shows. The use of pyrotechnics is prohibited at Everett's Club Broadway, a nightclub and casino that hosts live music, where the band will play next week.
Club Broadway's supervisor Diane Kennedy said she had no reservations about having Great White play the club, "because anyone who was involved with (The Station show) is no longer involved with the production and just the fact they were wanting to help people, I didn't have any reservations at all."
As a grand-jury investigation into the cause of the fire continues, precluding Russell to talk about the details of that night, he said he continues to work through his grief day by day through the encouragement of fans and the music.
"I lost 100 friends that night. It's very difficult," he said. "Fortunately, we have the Station Family Fund, a reason to keep going and make a positive out of a huge negative."
One of the victims was the band's guitarist, Ty Longley, who would have turned 32 this week. Russell choked up as he reflected on the life of a gifted guitarist and friend.
"Ty was, he was a wonderful kid," he said. "A very caring, giving human being. We miss him sorely."
After the fire Russell contemplated ending the band, but it was Longley's father who changed his mind.
"The future of Great White I couldn't tell you," he said. "The fund is a lot more important than anything else."
The tour has been well received so far, and tickets for the Everett show are selling briskly.
"It's been so overwhelming, the crowd has been so, so supportive," Russell said.
The legal issues surrounding the fire continue, with several lawsuits filed by victim's families. Last month, the band was fined $7,000 and the nightclub owners more than $85,000 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for various workplace violations stemming from the fire. Both parties can appeal OSHA's decision.
For Russell, his focus is on the immediate future and doing what he can to assist the victims and their families.
"I'm looking down this big, dark tunnel and the light at the end of it is the Station Family Fund," Russell said. "It's way beyond me and Great White. It's the most important thing Great White will do. It might be Great White's sole purpose."
Tina Potterf: 206-464-8214 or tpotterf@seattletimes.com
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