Welcome to the LOUDEST DOT COM ON THE PLANET!
KNAC.COM News Reviews and More Watch The Latest Videos Buy KNAC T-shirts and More


Great White Return To Rhode Island To Face Grand Jury, Club Owners Still MIA

By Sefany Jones, Contributing Editor
Thursday, February 20, 2003 @ 10:09 PM


DA: Great White Cooperating, C

- advertisement -
WEST WARWICK, Rhode Island (CNN) -- A grand jury convened in Rhode Island Wednesday to investigate last week's deadly nightclub fire but went home without talking to surviving band members of Great White.

The band members, whose pyrotechnics display set off the blaze, returned to Rhode Island Tuesday night to appear before the grand jury under subpoena.

The question of whether the band had permission to use the pyrotechnics has descended into finger-pointing, with neither the band nor the club owners accepting responsibility.

The band's lawyer, Ed McPherson, said the owners approved their use. The owners have repeatedly denied giving permission.

Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick Lynch is pursuing criminal charges in the case and said band members have cooperated with the investigation but the club's owners have not.

Lynch has criticized owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian for not responding to questions from law enforcement, while giving interviews to news outlets.

He said again Wednesday that both Derderians have been asked to come in and have not done so.

Jeffrey Pine, attorney for the club, said his clients have not rejected any specific requests for an interview from the attorney general.

"I can only state again that I remain ever hopeful that that occurs," Lynch said. "I believe they can supply answers which can help all of us get to the bottom of this."

Jeffrey Derderian, a local TV news reporter, has said he is willing to provide information to investigators, but declined to say when. He said he and his brother were "devastated" by the fire and lost friends in the disaster.

Pine said his client has provided documents to the West Warwick Police Department and the attorney general's office, and spoke with a West Warwick police officer and prosecutor the night of the fire. Lynch said Wednesday he has not seen any such documents.

Pine said local law enforcement's apparent aggression has given his client some concern.

"The chief of the West Warwick police said he expected criminal charges would be filed against the club owners," Pine said. "Nobody in their right mind would be willing to walk into the attorney general's office" after the police chief has said charges were pending.

Owners vs. band members

McPherson, Great White's attorney, said the band's tour manager, Dan Beakley, routinely discussed the use of pyrotechnics with club managers about a week before the band played a particular venue.

"He had a lengthy conversation with Mike Derderian, who is one of the owners of the venue, approximately a week before this show -- told him exactly what the band wanted to do and got very specific permission from Mr. Derderian," McPherson said.

But the club's stage manager/sound technician Paul Vanner told reporters he mentioned his safety concerns about pyrotechnics months ago to one of the club owners.

"I just said, I am having serious issues with these pyro guys, and I can't guarantee safety," Vanner said, as he began re-enacting the conversation he says he had with Mike Derderian. "You want guaranteed safety, Mike? None. There is no gray area here ... just black and white. And that's the guarantee that I can give you.

"Certainly, he seemed to take it to heart."

Vanner said that after that conversation, The Station didn't book any more bands that used pyrotechnics. He also seems positive the two brothers had no idea the heavy metal rock group was planning to use the indoor fireworks during their performance there.

"I'm under the impression [Great White] didn't tell anybody anything," said Vanner.

Lynch said media reports make it seem like a "he said, she said -- the band vs. the Derderians." But he said he has no short list and is looking at "anybody and everybody who may have committed a crime that caused people to perish."

Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri has ordered a moratorium on the use of pyrotechnic displays in clubs accommodating 300 or fewer patrons, and said 200 deputy fire marshals would fan out to inspect those sites for possible code violations starting Monday.

The governor also said that two specially trained dogs from Connecticut would search the fire site as part of an effort to "go the extra mile" in determining all bodies are recovered. He said Tuesday there was a possible discrepancy with one missing person report that authorities are trying to clarify.

But on Wednesday Carcieri said that after three sweeps of the rubble of the nightclub with the canine teams, the search was ended with no more bodies being found.

Carcieri announced a family resource center would open Wednesday for victims' families to receive a variety of help in one place. He also said the families had requested assistance in setting up a peer support group to help each other through the coming months.

Eighty people remained hospitalized, 24 of them in critical condition, he said.

Officials announced Tuesday that only four of the 97 victims who died in the fire remain unidentified. Among those killed in the fire was Great White guitarist Ty Longley, 31, whose body was identified Monday.


Back to Top

 

 

 Recent News
Official, Special, Limited Edition, KNAC Heritage Item On Sale Now!
NIGHTWISH Return With New Album Yesterwynde
ARMORED SAINT Announce L.A. Hometown Headline Show
GHOST Set To Release Debut Feature Film, Rite Here Rite Now, To Cinemas Worldwide
HAMMERFALL Reveal New Album Avenge The Fallen
SLIPKNOT Announce 'Here Comes The Pain' Summer Tour
THE DEAD DAISIES Unveil New Album, Single, Tour
DARKTHRONE Stream New Single "The Bird People Of Nordland"
70000TONS OF METAL Announces First Bands For 2025
NIGHT LASER Set For Call Me What You Want Album
RICHIE SAMBORA Returns With "I Pray" Single
TESTAMENT, KREATOR Join For "Klash Of The Titans" 2024 North American Tour
SAXON Share Lyric Video For "Witches Of Salem"
2024 SUMMER SLAUGHTER Tour Announced, Co-Headlined By VEIL OF MAYA And BRAND OF SACRIFICE
SEBASTIAN BACH Launches Video For New Single "(Hold On) To The Dream"
NARCOTIC WASTELAND Announces 2024 Summer Tour Dates
THE WARNING Release Cinematic Video For "Que Mas Quieres"
KITTIE Announce Exclusive Run Headline Shows On The 'Fire 2024' Tour
ACCEPT Stream New Single "Frankenstein"
200 STAB WOUNDS Return With Manual Manic Procedures Album
KURT DEIMER Confirms New Tour Dates With TEXAS HIPPIE COALTION
STAIND Launch Animated Video For Track "Better Days", Featuring DOROTHY
WEEDEATER Announce More Spring/Summer Shows
UNLEASH THE ARCHERS Are "Seeking Vengeance" With New Video
OPETH Announces North American Headlining Tour
LEAGUE OF DISTORTION Release "My Hate Will Go On" Video
EVERCLEAR Announces Fall Headlining Tour
DEAD MAN'S HAND Release Second Single, Video For "Bobblehead Jesus"
ZEAL & ARDOR Set For With New Album Greif
LACUNA COIL Share New Video "In The Mean Time", Featuring ASH COSTELLO Of NEW YEARS DAY
BARONESS Announce U.S. Summer Tour
FROZEN SOUL Drop WHITE ZOMBIE Cover Video For "Creature Of The Wheel"
SUNBOMB, Featuring MICHAEL SWEET And TRACII GUNS, Set To Release Sophomore Album Light Up The Sky
BABYLON A.D. Unleash "Wrecking Machine" Video
Current, Former Members Of ICE NINE KILLS And FROM ASHES TO NEW Form New Band HILLHAVEN
Former DISCIPLES OF BABYLON Singer ERIC KNIGHT Releases First Solo Single "Out Of This World"
GWAR Announces 'Age of Entitlement Tour'
MILLENIAL REIGN Ready New Album World On Fire
MEMPHIS MAY FIRE Return With New Video For Single "Chaotic"
MEGADETH Announce Summer 'Destroy All Enemies' Tour
ICE NINE KILLS, IN THIS MOMENT Join For Co-Headline "The Kiss Of Death Tour Part 2"
CANDLEMASS To Release Tritonus Nights Live Deluxe Triple Colored LP Set
'20 YEARS OF TEARS TOUR', Featuring HAWTHORNE HEIGHTS, THURSDAY, SAOSIN And ANBERLIN Announced For Summer 2024
SIX FEET UNDER Drops "Ascension" Lyric Video
UNDEROATH Announces They're Only Chasing Safety Album 20th Anniversary Tour
CRYSTAL VIPER Unleash "Fever Of The Gods" Video
LEFT TO SUFFER Ready New Album Leap Of Death
HEADBANGERS CON Sets Dates, Location For 2024 Edition
XANDRIA Releases New Single, Video For "Universal"
CHEVELLE Announce Summer 2024 Headline Tour
HIGH ON FIRE Release New Album Title Track Video For "Cometh The Storm"
GBI - DAVE GROHL, CHARLIE BENANTE, SCOTT IAN Ready BAD BRAINS' Cover Of "The Regulator" For Record Store Day 2024
DEMON Announce New Album Invincible
SONIC TEMPLE ART & MUSIC FESTIVAL Announces Music Set Times, Additional Onsite Activations And Food & Beverage Options
NOTHING MORE Return With New Album Carnal
OCEANS OF SLUMBER Share New Single, Video For "Where Gods Fear To Speak"
WAGE WAR Unveil New Album Stigma
KERRY KING Unleashes New Video For "Residue"
EVERGREY Ready New Album Theories of Emptiness
THE CONVALESCENCE Announce Summer Tour Dates
MILWAUKEE METAL FEST 2024 Announces Daily Set Times
WAR BABIES To Release Never-Before-Heard Tracks In The Form Of Vault Album
SEVEN SPIRES Drop New Video For "Architect Of Creation"
ANVIL Reveal New Album, One And Only
EXODUS Set To Release Live Album British Disaster: The Battle of '89 (Live At The Astoria)
CROWNSHIFT Drop New Video For "My Prison"
THROWDOWN AT THE CAMPGROUND Reveals Daily Lineups & Onsite Experiences
BLEED FROM WITHIN Unleash "Killing Time" Video
FRANK MARINO & MAHOGANY RUSH News, Health Update
RAT PAK RECORDS Set To Release New HALL AFLAME Album Amplifire, Featuring KURDT VANDERHOOF
New Supergroup CATEGORY 7, Featuring JOHN BUSH, PHIL DEMMEL, MIKE ORLANDO, JACK GIBSON, JASON BITTNER Forms
IS FOR LOVERS FESTIVAL Unveils Performers For Third Annual Summer Tour
DREAM THEATER Announce 40th Anniversary Tour 2024-2025
ARCHITECTS Stream New Single "Curse"
EDGE OF PARADISE Share "Rogue (Aim For The Kill)" Video
WELCOME TO ROCKVILLE Reveals Band Performance Times, Festival Experiences, Food & Beverage Offerings
BABYLON A.D. Return With New Studio Album Rome Wasn't Built In A Day
ALPHA WOLF Share Video For "Haunter"
SISTER KILL CYCLE Release New Album Blood. Money. Death
LEE AARON Launches HEART Cover Video For "Even It Up"
THE LONELY ONES Stream New Single "My God"
LITTLE MISS NASTY Release Debut Album Weapon Of Choice
THE WARNING Shine On New Single, Video For "Automatic Sun"
ORANGE GOBLIN Return With New Album Science, Not Fiction
ERRA Share New Video For "Slow Sour Bleed"
SOULBOUND Ready New Album ObsYdian, Release Video For "Saint Sinner"
ENTERPRISE EARTH Drop Video For "I, Divine"
THE HAUNT Release New EP Do Not Resuscitate
THE END MACHINE Release "Hell Or High Water" Video
FIREHOUSE Vocalist CJ SNARE Passes Away At 64
KITTIE Share New Single, Video For "We Are Shadows"
LORDS OF ACID Announce 2024 'Make Acid Great Again Tour'
SHARK ISLAND Ready New Live Album Memento Mori - Live On The Strip
FERRETT Drops "Don't Tell Jen" Video
ESCAPE THE FATE Hits The Road With EMO ORCHESTRA
TYR Unleash "Dragons Never Die" Video/Single
RFK Media Releases COLD SWEAT Album Unburied Alive
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY Drummer JEFF FABB Launches New Single, Video For "Love And War"
POWERWOLF Unveil New Album Wake Up The Wicked
FOREIGNER Announces More Farewell Tour Dates
CONEY HATCH Live Album Postcard from Germany Gets First-Ever Vinyl Pressing
EMERALD EYE Release Debut Album Night Without Day
THE RODS Share New Fan Collaboration Lyric Video For "Metal Highways"
NECROT Announces Massive North American Headlining Tour
ROCKLAHOMA Announces 2024 Performance Lineup
ALLEGAEON Releases New Video/Single, "Iridescent"
NEW ENGLAND METAL & HARDCORE FEST Reveals Dates, Band Lineup For 2024 Edition
ACCEPT Unleash New Video For "The Reckoning"
ISSA Returns With New Album Another World
NAESTVED METALFEST Completes Roster, Daily Lineups For 2024 Edition
BLACK SUN "Slay The Queen" With New Video, Band Lineup Featuring Vocalist NETTA LAURENNE
FOZZY Announce 25th Anniversary Tour
JOE SATRIANI, STEVE VAI Release New Video For "The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 1"
DROWNING POOL, SALIVA Announce 'SNAFU Le Tour' Dates
WITHERFALL Share New Video For "When It All Falls Away"
OCEANO Announce North American Tour Dates
HOLY MOTHER Reveal Rise Album Details
CANNIBAL CORPSE Announces European Fall Headlining Tour
PAUL DI'ANNO'S WARHORSE Releases New EP Stop The War In Advance Of New Full-Length Album
HIDEOUS DIVINITY Unleashes New Music Video For "More Than Many, Never One"
FU MANCHU Return With New Double Album, The Return of Tomorrow
RED VOODOO Drop Latest Single "Style"
KORN Announce 25-City North American Tour
SKID ROW, ERIK GRONWALL Amicably Part Ways
YES Unveil Talk 30th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set Edition
SAUL Release "More Of The Same" With New Video
RON KEEL BAND Drops New Single, "Hard On The Outside (Heart On The Inside)"
TROLLFEST Release 20 Years In The Wrong Lane Compilation Album
THE BLACK MOODS Share New Single, Video For "Heaven"
DAUGHTRY Shares New Single "Pieces"
WEEDEATER Announce Spring US Tour
WAGE WAR Unleash "Magnetic" Video
PUSCIFER, A PERFECT CIRCLE, PRIMUS Announce The Sessanta E.P.P.P.
KUARANTINE, Featuring CHRIS JERICHO, Drop New KISS Cover Of "Good Girl Gone Bad"
BILLY MORRISON, STEVE STEVENS, OZZY OSBOURNE Join Forces For New Track, "Crack Cocaine"
VISIONS OF ATLANTIS Ready New Album, Pirates II - Armada
HIGH ON FIRE Announces U.S. Headlining Tour Dates
SIX BY SIX (Featuring IAN CREICHTON, NIGEL GLOCKLER & ROBERT BERRY) Launch New Video For "Obiliex"
ECLIPSE Unleashes New Video For "Apocalypse Blues"



HOME | MAGAZINE | VIDS | STORE | HELP/POLICIES

©2024 KNAC.COM. All Rights Reserved.    Link to us    Advertise with us    Privacy policy
 Latest News