GREAT WHITE Singer Challenges KISS To Donate Money To THE STATION FAMILY FUND

August 21, 2003

GREAT WHITE frontman Jack Russell has called on more people to donate to The Station Family Fund, saying, "This is not a rock 'n' roll tragedy. It's an American tragedy."

And he challenged other rock bands to help, singling out KISS, whose members have been quoted as saying that pyro displays are fine for large arenas but can be deadly in small clubs. "Gene Simmons is Gene Simmons, but if he's going to talk the talk, help out," Russell told the Providence Journal. "Bands like KISS could donate the proceeds from one show and do more than we could donate all year."

The California-based rock band did not play for the first five months after the West Warwick nightclub fire, which claimed 100 lives and injured more than 200 others. But over the past month, GREAT WHITE has played nine shows, raising $21,622 for The Station Family Fund, according to the fund's Web site.

"I'm looking down a long dark tunnel, and the only light I see is the Station Family Fund," Russell said. "That's the reason I get up in the morning."

Russell said he has been overwhelmed by the response of fans during the first nine concerts. "This has really changed my life in a most dramatic way," he said. "This business makes you cynical. Everyone wants something from you. But the compassion and support of the fans has given me a whole different take on humanity." Read more.

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