Great White Sets Up A Legal Defense Fund

05/09/2003 1:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
LAUNCH Radio Networks

(5/9/03, 1 p.m. ET) -- In the wake of last February's tragic fire that killed 100 fans attending a concert by Great White at the Station Nightclub in Rhode Island--the band may have caught its first break.

It's widely believed that Great White's pyrotechnics caused the fire, though a grand jury investigation is not yet finished. A number of lawsuits have already been filed--but last week, one attorney representing 16 plaintiffs removed Great White from their lawsuit at the request of five clients who are friends with the band.

The lawyer in that case admitted there wasn't much point in suing Great White since they don't have any money. He said frankly, "Part of any litigation has to be driven by practicality. I could probably get a judgment against them, but it would be worth nothing. Maybe it would be symbolic, but I'm not sure that's what my clients need."

Ed McPherson, the attorney representing Great White, expects even more lawsuits will be filed against the band, and is asking the band's fans to contribute to a legal defense fund. He issued a letter via a California radio station which said, "The sole purpose of this trust is to allow friends and fans of Great White, music fans in general, and other musicians to donate to a legal fund, to at least allow the band to have proper representation so that they can defend themselves. This trust is not to be used for any purpose other than covering costs associated with the criminal and civil proceedings."

According to the Boston Globe newspaper, Great White is planning a 55-city tour this summer, to raise money for the fire victims.

For more news at LAUNCH, click here.