The Station’s consequences, three years later

On February 21, 2003, I remember snuggling up in bed with M, listening to the radio, like just about every cold winter morning. The difference is, that day, the morning news announcer told us about a massive fire at the Station nightclub in Rhode Island after Great White set off pyrotechnics during their show. One hundred of the 400-plus people in the club wound up dying. M was in shock: “Man, that band will never live it down.” I can only imagine the fiery hell that went down in there -- this account will give you nightmares.

Today, the former tour manager, Daniel Biechele, will hear victims’ families testify before they sentence him to up to 10 years in the slammer for 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter. I heard on the radio this morning that he’s asking for community service rather than jail time. Is he fucking kidding me? He obviously didn’t mean to kill 100 people, but he still did it. Community service isn’t going to cut it. I don’t know how he lives with the guilt, personally.

Danny boy, it isn’t all about you. Think about the families. Really marinate in what they tell you about how their lives have changed since that snowy February day three years ago. Then go back to the judge and ask for community service. I doubt you can do it.