PROVIDENCE -- Great White, the 1980s rock band whose pyrotechnics
sparked the deadly West Warwick nightclub fire, had plans to play a show
in Massachusetts, despite earlier claims its benefit tour would steer
clear of New England.
But plans for the show have been thwarted, for now, by the future owner
of Club Liquid, the Leominster, Mass., venue where the Sept. 26 concert
was to take place.
Rick Pasquarosa, who will take ownership of the club on Sept. 8, said he
never committed to the Great White show, and it won't take place at his
nightclub.
"We just feel like it's too big of a start for us," Pasquarosa said
yesterday. "If something were to happen under new ownership, I believe
the cost of that getting out of hand would be too big. I'd rather play
it safe and not play that burden. ... I just don't feel that it's worth
the risk."
Pasquarosa also said he was concerned about riots or protests.
The show was advertised
on the band's Web site yesterday but was removed later in the day.
Andy Rome, the show's promoter, said he helped arrange the September
show as a benefit for
The Station Family Fund, a nonprofit group in Rhode Island that is
receiving proceeds from Great White's tour.
Rome is also the current owner of Club Liquid, which is about 75 miles
north of The Station, the Rhode Island nightclub that burned down during
Great White's Feb. 20 show. The fire killed 100 people and injured about
200 more.
Rome said it's a business mistake to cancel the show. He's trying to
find a new venue for the concert.
Obi Steinman, one of the band's managers, said Great White currently has
no plans to play near Rhode Island. He said when the band first kicked
off its tour, it had not intended to play in New England, until members
of The Station Family Fund contacted him and requested the band play at
Club Liquid.
"The original plan was that they didn't want to offend anyone, they
didn't want to come to New England," said Victoria Potvin, president of
The Station Family Fund. "But it appears that they have some significant
supporters in this area and they feel that they can raise a good amount
of money toward The Station Family Fund."
Great White has been touring since July, raising funds for victims and
survivors of the fire. The first nine concerts raised about $25,000,
Potvin said.
A show in Massachusetts would be the first realistic chance for
survivors of the fire to see Great White again, Potvin said. The band's
closest scheduled tour spot is in Scranton, Pa.
"I would go to that," said Chris Travis, 37, of Lakeville, Mass., who
survived the fire. "I mean it was a tragic accident that happened. But
how else is the band supposed to help, when they're musicians? I think
it's a good idea."
But other survivors have nothing but anger for the band they once loved.
Michelle Spence, 29, of Lincoln, became enraged when she learned of the
tour and doesn't expect to attend a Great White concert again.
Members of the band have been named in lawsuits filed on behalf of fire
survivors and victims' families. A criminal investigation also is under
way. Lawyers for the band have said no money raised on tour will go
toward to defense costs.
