The band whose pyrotechnics sparked a nightclub fire that killed 100 people distanced itself from the re-release of an album and its title – “Burning House of Love.”
A manager and a lawyer for the 1980s rock band Great White said the CD is an unauthorized release and the title is in bad taste.
The fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick began Feb. 20, 2003, when the band’s pyrotechnics ignited flammable foam placed near the stage as soundproofing. Great White guitarist Ty Longley was among the dead, and more than 200 concertgoers were injured.
The club’s two owners and the band’s former tour manager have been indicted on manslaughter charges stemming from the fire.
The album comprises covers of other bands’ songs performed by Great White. The CD, released by the label Horizon Italy, is being sold on Internet sites, including Amazon.com.
“It’s a horrible thing. I’m sure the victims (of the fire) are outraged,” said Ed McPherson, a lawyer for Great White.
McPherson said he’s looking into whether Horizon Italy has the legal rights to the recordings.
The band’s manager, Obi Steinman, said the title track is a cover of a song by the band X that Great White recorded before the nightclub fire.
Steinman said sometimes labels re-release albums under new titles, adding he believes the label is trying to capitalize on the band’s current notoriety.
There was no answer at the record label’s phone number in Italy.
Victoria Potvin, president of The Station Family Fund, which provides financial assistance to those affected by the fire, said the album is “truly tasteless,” but has nothing to do with Great White, which has raised money for the fund.
“Whenever a tragedy occurs there are always people who are going to try to capitalize on it in some way or another,” she said.
