Great White has revamped a proposed 55-city tour to raise funds for the families of victims killed during a February fire at its performance in West Warwick, R.I. The Jack Russell-led group planned to tour with fellow hard rock acts L.A. Guns and XYZ, with proceeds going to the victims’ families.
According to L.A. Guns’ official Web site, in the wake of the tragedy, “venues were requiring [Great White] to purchase additional insurance and it just wasn’t realistic.”
“We are very disappointed,” L.A. Guns drummer Steve Riley wrote. “We were all set to go. Whatever the reason for it going down, we want all our people to know we got involved in the first place because we really thought it was a good idea about the memorial fund since it hit us so hard with losing so many friends and fans.”
Great White will instead embark on its own tour, for which 12 dates are thus far confirmed, beginning July 22 in Sterling, Colo. Proceeds from those shows will go to The Station Family Fund, named for the club where the disaster took place. 100 people, including Great White guitarist Ty Longley, were killed in the blaze, which is believed to have started when the band’s pyrotechnics set fire to foam that had been placed around the stage as soundproofing.
Owners of the nightclub insist they did not know Great White planned to use pyrotechnics during its concert. Members of the band claim otherwise. A grand jury is investigating to determine whether criminal charges are warranted.
Here are Great White’s tour dates (venues TBA):
July 22: Sterling, Colo.
July 23: Colorado Springs, Colo.
July 25: Salt Lake City
July 26: Denver
July 31: Omaha, Neb.
Aug. 1: Sioux City, Iowa
Aug. 2: Jane, Mo,
Aug. 3: Clear Lake, Iowa
Aug. 7: Sturgis, S.D.
Aug. 8: Medina, Minn.
Aug. 9: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Aug. 10: Marionette, Ill.
— Jonathan Cohen, N.Y. & AP
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