The Great White witnessed one of the biggest tragedies in rock and roll history in one of their concerts in 2003. They recently made a documentary about it in which Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider also contributed.
However, the media twisted Snider’s words and made him look like he blamed Great White for the incident.
“It’s hard to remember and listen to, but a hundred people burned to death, over two hundred were injured, and 65 kids lost one or both parents in a fire in a nightclub. Great White was playing. And yeah, Great White, they were vilified. Their pyro ignited the building, and wrong or right, they’ve been shouldering the blame for a long time.
One of the things I like about this documentary is it’s very well-rounded, and it actually allows Jack Russell to speak. I remember Jack from back when, and we toured together back in the heyday, and now he’s a broken man. And people may say, and rightfully so. But let me just say, was it stupid, was it foolish to set off pyro in a small club? Yes. Was it malicious? Not on your life. They would never, ever intentionally hurt any of their fans.”
However, his words were twisted by some media outlets. There emerged headlines about Snider ‘blaming’ the band for the death of hundreds of people.
Here is how Snider reacted to the media:
“Anyone who watches the doc or reads what I say won’t think that. Jack Russell thanked me at the screening for this doc for the things I’ve said and the support I’ve shown. It’s all about grabbing attention with the headlines, right?”
Anyone who watches the doc or reads what I say won’t think that. @JacksGreatWhite thanked me at the screening for this doc for the things I’ve said and the support I’ve shown. It’s all about grabbing attention with the headlines, right @StevieTuff @MetalSludge? https://t.co/BiLzbleUWy
— Dee Snider?? (@deesnider) February 22, 2022