Great White lead singer Jack Russell has apologized for his role in The Station nightclub fire that killed 100 people in Rhode Island in 2003. He said that he plans on making a documentary about the group and that horrific event.
The Station was a nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Great White’s pyrotechnics lit the wooden building’s foam sound insulation. In addition to the 100 deaths, 200 people were injured, notes Reuters.
Last week, Russell spoke with 105.9 The Brew in Portland, Oregon about that night and said that he wants to make a documentary that includes an apology to the victims.
“It's really hard, you know but it's going to give me a chance to apologize and say how I feel about it. I never had the chance to say I was sorry,” Russell said. “How do I feel about it? Just horrified. I feel a guilt, a sadness, survivors' guilt, you know? Why did I get to live and so many other people didn't?”
The band’s tour manager and the two owners of the club both reached a plea deal to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter. Survivors and victims also reached a $176 million settlement with over 50 defendants.
Russell told The Brew that he was actually told by his attorney that apologizing was a bad idea because that would implicate himself.
“I'll never be over it, really, and I don't think I ever should. I think I owe it to my fans who lost their lives to never forget them,” he said.
The Providence Journal spoke to a survivor, Gina Russo, who said she won’t accept his apology.
“His career is tanking and he’s not welcome here in the New England area at all, so he’s looking to get back in everybody’s good graces,” Russo told the Journal. “He’s looking for forgiveness from a lot of people. In my world he doesn’t warrant any forgiveness.”
Here’s an interview with Russell from 2013: