The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article and discuss the issue on the talk page. (December 2010)

Laser lights illuminate the dance floor at a Gatecrasher dance music event in Birmingham, England

A nightclub (also known as a discothèque, or simply a club or disco) is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night. A nightclub is generally distinguished from bars, pubs or taverns by the inclusion of a dance floor and a DJ booth, where a DJ plays recorded electronic dance music, hip hop, rock music, reggae, and pop music.

The music in nightclubs is either live bands or, more commonly, a mix of songs played by a DJ through a powerful PA system. Most clubs or club nights cater to certain music genres, such as techno, house music, trance, heavy metal, garage, hip hop, salsa, dancehall, drum and bass, Dubstep or soca music. Many clubs also promote playing the Top 40 which has most of the night playing the most broadcast songs of the previous week.

Entry criteria[link]

Many nightclubs choose who can enter, on bases other than just age, e.g. dress code and guest list. This is used to make their status as a nightclub more "exclusive". Quite often, there are no clear policies governing entry to a nightclub, thereby allowing the doormen to deny entry to anybody at their discretion.

Cover charge[link]

In most cases, entering a nightclub requires a flat fee called a cover charge. Early arrivers and women may have their cover charge waived or reduced (in the United Kingdom, this latter option is illegal under the Equality Act 2010^[1] but the law is rarely enforced and open violations are frequent). Friends of the doorman or the club owner may gain free entrance. Sometimes, especially at larger clubs in continental European countries, one only gets a pay card at the entrance, on which all money spent in the discothèque (often including the entrance fee) is marked. Sometimes, entrance fee and cloakroom costs are paid by cash and only the drinks in the club are paid using a pay card.

Clubgoers dancing at an upscale nightclub

Guestlist[link]

Many nightclubs operate a "guestlist" that allows certain attendees to enter the club for free, or at a reduced rate. Some nightclubs have a range of unpublished guestlist options ranging from free, to reduced, to full price with line by-pass privileges only. Nightclub goers that are on the guestlist usually have a separate queue and possibly a separate entrance to the one used by full price paying attendees. It is common for the guestlist line-up to be as long or longer than the full-paying or ticketed queues. Some nightclubs allow clubbers to register for the guestlist through their websites.

Dress code[link]

Light-up club wear for performances, glowing under black lights.

Many nightclubs enforce a dress code in order to ensure a certain type of clientele is in attendance at the venue. Some upscale nightclubs ban attendees from wearing trainers or jeans, while other nightclubs will advertise a vague "dress to impress" dress code that allows the bouncers to discriminate at will against those vying for entry to the club. Many exceptions are made to nightclub dress codes, with denied entry usually reserved for the most glaring rule breakers or those thought to be unsuitable for the party. Certain nightclubs like fetish nightclubs may apply a leather-only, rubber-only or fantasy dress code. The dress code criterion is often an excuse for discriminatory practices, such as in the case of Carpenter v. Limelight Entertainment Ltd.^[2]

Association[link]

Many nightclubs will only allow entry by association. A number of gay nightclubs that prefer to cater to an exclusively male clientele will deny entry to a group of lesbians but will welcome a lesbian with a number of male gay friends.

History[link]

Early history[link]

"The Cave" in the basement of the Gruenwald (later Roosevelt) Hotel, New Orleans opened in 1912; said by some to be the first "nightclub" in the United States

From about 1900 to 1920, working class Americans would gather at honky tonks or juke joints to dance to music played on a piano or a jukebox.

During US Prohibition, nightclubs went underground as illegal speakeasy bars. With the repeal of Prohibition in February 1933, nightclubs were revived, such as New York's Stork Club, 21 Club, El Morocco and the Copacabana. These nightclubs featured big bands (there were no DJ's).

In Occupied France, jazz and bebop music, and the jitterbug dance were banned by the Nazis as decadent American influences, so members of the French underground met at hidden underground basement dance clubs called discothèques where they danced to American swing music, which a DJ played on a single turntable when a jukebox was not available. These discothèques were also patronized by anti-Vichy youth called zazous. There were also underground discotheques in Nazi Germany patronized by anti-Nazi youth called the swing kids.

In Harlem, the Cotton Club and Connie's Inn were popular venues for white audiences. Before 1953 and even some years thereafter, most bars and nightclubs used a jukebox or mostly live bands. In Paris, at a club named "Whisky à Gogo", founded in 1947,^[3] Régine in 1953 laid down a dance-floor, suspended coloured lights and replaced the juke-box with two turntables which she operated herself so there would be no breaks between the music. The Whisky à Gogo set into place the standard elements of the modern post World War II discothèque-style nightclub. At the end of the 1950's several of the coffee bars in Soho introduced afternoon dancing and the most famous, at least on the continent, was Les Enfants Terribles at 93 Dean St. These original discothèques were nothing like the night clubs as they were unlicensed and catered to a very young public - mostly made up of French and Italians working illegally, mostly in catering, to learn English as well as au pair girls from most of western Europe. In the early 1960s, Mark Birley opened a members-only discothèque nightclub, Annabel's, in Berkeley Square, London. In 1962, the Peppermint Lounge in New York City became popular and is the place where go-go dancing originated. However, the first rock and roll generation preferred rough and tumble bars and taverns to nightclubs, and the nightclub did not attain mainstream popularity until the 1970s disco era.

1970s: Disco[link]

By the late 1970s many major US cities had thriving disco club scenes which were centered around discothèques, nightclubs, and private loft parties where DJs would play disco hits through powerful PA systems for the dancers. The DJs played "... a smooth mix of long single records to keep people 'dancing all night long'"^[4] Some of the most prestigious clubs had elaborate lighting systems that throbbed to the beat of the music.

Some cities had disco dance instructors or dance schools which taught people how to do popular disco dances such as "touch dancing", the "hustle" and the "cha-cha-cha". There were also disco fashions that discothèque-goers wore for nights out at their local disco, such as sheer, flowing Halston dresses for women and shiny polyester Qiana shirts for men. Disco clubs and "...hedonistic loft parties" had a club culture which had many Italian-American, African American, gay^[5] and Hispanic people.

In addition to the dance and fashion aspects of the disco club scene, there was also a thriving drug subculture, particularly for recreational drugs that would enhance the experience of dancing to the loud music and the flashing lights, such as cocaine^[6] (nicknamed "blow"), amyl nitrite "poppers",^[7] and the "...other quintessential 1970s club drug Quaalude, which suspended motor coordination and turned one's arms and legs to Jell-O".^[8] The "massive quantities of drugs ingested in discothèques by newly liberated gay men produced the next cultural phenomenon of the disco era: rampant promiscuity and public sex. While the dance floor was the central arena of seduction, actual sex usually took place in the nether regions of the disco: bathroom stalls, exit stairwells, and so on. In other cases the disco became a kind of "main course" in a hedonist's menu for a night out."^[8]

Famous 1970s discothèques included "...cocaine-filled celeb hangouts such as Manhattan's "Studio 54", which was operated by Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager. Studio 54 was notorious for the hedonism that went on within; the balconies were known for sexual encounters, and drug use was rampant. Its dance floor was decorated with an image of the "Man in the Moon" that included an animated cocaine spoon. Other famous 1970s discothèques in New York City included "Xenon", "The Loft", the "Paradise Garage", and "Aux Puces", one of the first gay disco bars. In San Francisco, there was the Trocadero Transfer, the I-Beam, and the End Up.

By the early 1980s, the term "disco" had largely fallen out of favour in most of the English-speaking world.

1980s New York, London & Europe[link]

During the 1980s, during the New Romantic movement, London had a vibrant nightclub scene, which included clubs like The Blitz, the Batcave, the Camden Palace and Club for Heroes. Both music and fashion embraced the aesthetics of the movement. Bands included Depeche Mode, The Human League, Duran Duran, Blondie, Eurythmics and Ultravox. Reggae-influenced bands included Boy George and Culture Club, and electronic vibe bands included Visage. At London nightclubs, young men would often wear make-up and young women would wear men's suits.

The largest UK cities like Leeds (The Orbit), Newcastle, Liverpool (Quadrant Park and 051), Swansea, Manchester (The Haçienda) and several key European places like Paris (Les Bains Douches), Ibiza (Pacha), Rimini etc. also played a significant role in the evolution of clubbing, DJ culture and nightlife.

Significant New York nightclubs of the period were Area, Danceteria, and The Limelight.^[9]

1990s and 2000s[link]

A dance club in Okinawa, Japan.

Nightclub located in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, which also offers karaoke.

In Europe and North America, nightclubs play disco-influenced dance music such as house music, techno, and other dance music styles such as electronica and trance. Most nightclubs in the U.S. major cities play hip hop, house and trance music. These clubs are generally the largest and most frequented of all of the different types of clubs. The emergence of the "superclub" created a global phenomenon, with Ministry of Sound (London), Cream (Liverpool) and Pacha (Ibiza).

In most other languages, nightclubs are referred to as "discos" or "discothèques" (French: discothèque; Italian and Spanish: discoteca, antro (common in Mexico only), and "boliche" (common in Argentina only), "discos" is commonly used in all others in Latinamerica; German: Disko or Diskothek). In Japanese ディスコ, disuko refers to an older, smaller, less fashionable venue; while クラブ, kurabu refers to a more recent, larger, more popular venue. The term night is used to refer to an evening focusing on a specific genre, such as "retro music night" or a "singles night."

A recent trend in the North American and European nightclub industry is the usage of video. Instead of audio-only, DJ's are now using video and "mixing" music videos and related songs together in an audio/visual presentation.

2010s and Decline[link]

Due to changes in the economy, attitudes towards heavy drinking and drug use and simply changes in fashion; footfall in nightclubs has sharply declined ^{[10] [11]} . The public have been increasingly frequenting public houses where the drinks are cheaper and where there is considered to be a friendlier atmosphere.

Serious incidents[link]

• 20 September 1929 - Study club fire of 1929, early dance club fire that killed 22 in Detroit, USA;
• 23 April 1940 - Rhythm Night Club fire, 209 killed at nightclub fire at Natchez, Mississippi, USA;
• 28 November 1942 - Cocoanut Grove fire, 492 killed in a nightclub fire at Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
• 1 November 1970 - Club Cinq-Sept fire in a nightclub just outside the small town of Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, Isère in south-eastern France; 146 people killed
• 8 March 1973 - Whiskey Au Go Go fire, 15 killed after firebombing at Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Australia;
• 2 August 1973 - Summerland disaster, 51 killed at fire at Summerland leisure centre at Douglas, Isle of Man;
• 28 May 1977 - Beverly Hills Supper Club fire, 165 killed and 200 injured in nightclub fire at Southgate, Kentucky, USA;
• 14 February 1981 - Stardust fire disaster, 48 killed and 214 injured at nightclub fire at Dublin, Republic of Ireland;
• 5 April 1986 - Bomb attack on La Belle discothèque, Berlin, Germany, 3 killed, 230 injured; 2 Marines sustaining permanent disability were 2nd Force Recon Co. Marine's LCPL Hurt & LCPL Blackwood who despite their injuries gave assistance to their fellow Marines and civilians alike before their injuries were discovered by medical personnel.
• February 1990 - Stage collapse at a discothèque at Bilbao, Spain, 13 injured;
• 25 March 1990 - Happy Land fire, 87 killed in a nightclub fire at Happy Land, The Bronx, New York City;
• 20 December 1993 - Kheyvis Fire, 17 killed in a nightclub fire at Buenos Aires, Argentina;
• 18 March 1996 - Ozone Disco Club fire, 162 dead and 92 injured at a nightclub in Quezon City, Philippines;
• 30 October 1998 - Gothenburg discothèque fire, 63 people killed, 200 injured in a nightclub fire at Gothenburg, Sweden;
• 1 June 2001 - Suicide bombing at the Dolphinarium discotheque in Tel Aviv, Israel
• 13 October 2001 - Stage toggled at Zapata discothèque Stuttgart, Germany, several people hurt;
• 21 December 2001 - At Club "Indigo", Sofia, Bulgaria, in an early party for minors, the huge crowd pushing their way to get in collapses down the frosty stairs and crushes 7 children (ages between 10 and 14) to death;
• 12 October 2002 - 2002 Bali bombings, 202 killed by large bombs;
• 7 December 2002 - Cowgate fire, Edinburgh, Scotland;
• 17 February 2003 - 2003 E2 nightclub stampede, Chicago, Illinois, 21 killed and over 50 injured;
• 20 February 2003 - The Station nightclub fire, 100 killed at nightclub fire at Warwick, Rhode Island;
• 8 December 2004 - A shooter in Columbus, Ohio shot and killed guitarist "Dimebag" Darrel Abbott and two other people, also wounding band manager and a fan in the audience;
• 30 December 2004 - República Cromañón nightclub fire, 194 killed and 714 injured in a nightclub fire at Buenos Aires, Argentina;
• 31 December 2005 - a circular crossbar fell down from the roof of a nightclub at Ibbenbüren, Germany, 4 people hurt;
• 18 June 2007 - Gatecrasher One Fire, Sheffield, England;
• 1 January 2009 - Santika Club fire in Santika Club in Watthana, Bangkok, Thailand, 61 killed and at least 212 injured
• 24 July 2009 - a man bled to death at a pool party in Perkins Park nightclub, Stuttgart, Germany after he made a head dive into a swimming pool in which there were fragments of glass ^[12]
• 5 December 2009 - Lame Horse fire, a fire at the Lame Horse nightclub killed at least 155 people and injures 79 others in Perm, Russia.^[13][14]
• 15 January 2011 - 3 girls died, 14 people injured at a stampede in a Budapest discotheque.

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Nightclubs

v t e Disco Subculture Nightclub • Roller disco • Hustle Subgenres Cosmic Disco • Disco polo • Disco-punk • Euro disco • Italo disco • Manila Sound • Nu-disco • Space disco Derivations Hi-NRG • Post-disco • House • Garage • Hip-hop • New Wave List of disco artists (A-E - F-K - L-R - S-Z) • Four-on-the-floor • Orchestration • Mix • Category

Laidback Luke
Laidback Luke
Background information
Birth name	Lucas Cornelis van Scheppingen
Also known as	Laidback Luke, Nouveau Yorican
Born	(1976-10-22) 22 October 1976 (age 35) Manila, Philippines
Genres	Electro house, House, Dance
Occupations	DJ, Producer
Instruments	Software (Ableton, Fl Studio)
Labels	Mixmash Records
Associated acts	Sander Van Doorn, Steve Aoki, Lil John, Tocadisco, Nicky Romero, David Guetta, DJ Daaar, Sidney Samson, Robyn, Avicii, Johnathan Mendelson, Kaskade, Sirah, Example, Benny Benassi, Congorock, The Bloody Beetroots
Website	laidbackluke.com

Laidback Luke (born Lucas Cornelis van Scheppingen, 22 October 1976 in Manila, Philippines) is a Dutch DJ, producer. He was voted #46 on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJ list in 2008, before jumping to #27 in 2009 and jumping up 10 places in 2010.^[1][2]

Laidback Luke grew up in The Netherlands and made his name as a graffiti artist before turning to making music. He has worked with artists such as David Guetta, Steve Angello, Sebastian Ingrosso, Axwell, Example and Junior Sanchez and played throughout Europe and North America as well as shows in Japan and Ibiza. He has released two studio albums: Psyched Up (1998) and Electronic Satisfaction (2002) as well as a successful mix album, Windmill Skill (2003). In 2003, van Scheppingen did a remix of the Daft Punk song "Crescendolls" for the duo's remix album Daft Club. Luke has also released his own mix album, titled Ibiza Closing Party, as a free covermount CD in the October 2008 issue of Mixmag. He has currently released his new album on the 4th of July 2011, called Cream Ibiza Super You & Me.

He announced on the maiden voyage of Holy Ship that he was engaged to Gina Turner^[3]

Discography[link]

• Cream Ibiza - Super You And Me (2011)

Singles

Remixes, Bootlegs, Edits and Unofficial Reworks

• 1996: Green Velvet - The Stalker (LBL Remix)
• 1998: Lambda - Hold on tight (LBL Remix)
• 2002: Damon Wild & Tim Taylor - Bang The Acid
• 2002: Green Velvet - Land Of The Lost
• 2003: Daft Punk - Crescendolls (LBL Remix)
• 2004: Steve Angello - Voices (LBL Remix)
• 2004: Jaimie Fanatic - B Boy Stance
• 2005: MYPD - You're Not Alone (LBL Remix)
• 2006: DJ Daaar - Now It's 2006 I'll Stop Smoking Weed (YEAH RIGHT!)(LBL Bootleg)
• 2006: Hardrox - Feel The Hard Rock (LBL Remix)
• 2006: Another Chance - The Sound Of Eden (LBL Remix)
• 2007: TV Rock vs Dukes Of Windsor - The Others (LBL Remix)
• 2007: DJ DLG & Laidback Luke - Ambition (LBL Remix)
• 2007: David Guetta feat. Cozi - Baby When The Light (LBL Remix)
• 2007 Denis Naidanow - Ascension ( LBL Remix )
• 2008: Natalie Williams - U Don't Know (LBL Remix)
• 2008: Roger Sanchez - Again (LBL Remix)
• 2008: Paul Johnson - Get Get Down (LBL Remix)
• 2008: Juice String - Sex Weed (LBL Remix)
• 2008: David Guetta feat. Tara McDonald - Delirious (LBL Remix)
• 2008: TV Rock feat. Rudy - Been A Long Time (LBL Remix)
• 2008: Steve Angello - Gypsy (LBL Remix)
• 2008: Underworld - Ring Road (LBL Remix)
• 2008: The Black Ghosts - Repetition Kills You (LBL Remix)
• 2008: Martin Solveig - I Want You (LBL Remix)
• 2008: Roger Sanchez feat. Terri B - Bang That Box (LBL Remix)
• 2008: Hervé (DJ) - Cheap Thrills (LBL Bootleg)
• 2008: Madonna vs Dirty South - 4 Minutes To Let It Go (LBL Bootleg)
• 2008: Joachim Garraud - Are U Ready (LBL Remix)
• 2008: Bob Sinclar - Gymtonic (LBL Bootleg)
• 2008: Chromeo - Fancy Footwork (LBL Remix)
• 2008: Beyoncé - Me, Myself & I (LBL Bootleg)
• 2008: Coldplay - Viva La Vida (LBL Bootleg)
• 2008: Tocadisco - Streetgirls (LBL Remix)
• 2008: Surkin - White Knight Two (LBL Remix)
• 2008: Zombie Nation - Kernkraft 400 (LBL Bootleg)
• 2008: Daft Punk - Teachers (LBL Rework)
• 2008: Dada Life - Rubber Band Boogie (LBL Remix)
• 2008: Ray Parker Jr. - Ghostbusters Theme (LBL Remix)
• 2009: Notorious B.I.G. feat. Puff Daddy & Mase - Mo Money Mo Problems (LBL Bootleg)
• 2009: David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland - When Love Takes Over (LBL Remix)
• 2009: Nas - Made You Look (LBL Bootleg)
• 2009: Tiesto - I Will Be Here (LBL Remix)
• 2009: MSTRKRFT feat. John Legend - Heartbreaker (LBL Remix)
• 2009: Junior Sanchez feat. Good Charlotte - Elevator (LBL Remix)
• 2009: Avicii - Ryu (LBL Edit)
• 2009: The Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feelin' (LBL Remix)
• 2009: Dizzee Rascal feat. Chrome - Holiday (LBL Remix)
• 2009: Martin Solvieg feat. Dragonette - Boys & Girls (LBL Remix)
• 2009: Sandro Silva - Prom Night (LBL Remix)
• 2009: Depeche Mode - Fragile Tension (LBL Remix)
• 2009: Robbie Rivera - Rock The Disco (LBL Edit)
• 2009: Calvin Harris - You Used To Hold Me (LBL Remix)
• 2009: System F - Out of The Blue 2010 (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2009: Korgis - Need Your Lovin' (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2010: Wynter Gordon - Dirty Talk (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2010: Jay-Z feat. Swizz Beatz - On To The Next One (Laidback Luke Bootleg)
• 2010: Moby - Wait For Me (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2010: Christina Aguilera - Not Myself Tonight (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2010: Carte Blanche Feat. Kid Sister - Do! Do! Do! (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2010: Bad Boy Bill feat. Eric Jag - Got That Feeling (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2010: Lil' Jon feat. Kee - Give It All You Got (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2010: Steve Angello vs. Dr. Dre - Knas Episode (Laidback Luke & Junior Sanchez Mashup)
• 2010: Afrojack Vs. Radioclit Vs. Armand van Helden - I Want Your Divine Control (Laidback Luke Mash Up)
• 2010: iSquare - Hey Sexy Lady (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2011: SHM vs. Bingo Players - Save Everything Tonight (Laidback Luke Mashup)
• 2011: Benny Benassi feat. Gary Go - Cinema (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2011: Alice Deejay - Better Off Alone (Laidback Luke Bootleg)
• 2011: Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) (Laidback Luke Bootleg)
• 2011: Jump Jump Dance Dance - 2.0 (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2011: Laura LaRue - Un, Deux, Trois (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2011: Skream feat. Sam Frank - Where You Should Be (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2011: Anjulie - Brand New Bitch (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2011: GTA feat. Zashanell - U & I (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2011: Chris Brown feat. Benny Benassi - Beautiful People (Laidback Luke Edit)
• 2011: Patric La Funk - Time And Time Again (Laidback Luke Edit)
• 2011: Kanye West feat. Rihanna - All Of The Lights (Mata vs Laidback Luke Edit)
• 2011: Pitbull feat. Marc Anthony - Rain Over Me (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2011: David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj - Turn Me On (David Guetta & Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2012: Aaron Smith ft. Luvli - Dancin' (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2012: Madonna feat. M.I.A. & Nicki Minaj "Give Me All Your Luvin" (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2012: Felix Cartal ft Polina "Dont Turn On The Lights" (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2012: Tiesto ft Dino - Beautiful World (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2012: Congorock & DJ Daaar - Ivory (Laidback Luke Edit)
• 2012: Sub Focus feat. Alice Gold - Out The Blue (Laidback Luke Remix)
• 2012: Steve Aoki feat. Lil Jon & Chiddy Bang - Emergency (Laidback Luke Remix)[Unreleased]
• 2012: Sato Goldschlag feat. Wynter Gordon - Hey Mr. Mister (Laidback Luke Remix)[Unreleased]
• 2012: Skrillex & Damian Marley - Make It Bun Dem (Laidback Luke Remix)[Unreleased]

Notes[link]

1. ^ DJ Mag Top 100 2009 http://www.djmag.com/top100
2. ^ DJ Mag Top 100 2009 http://www.djmag.com/top100
3. ^ http://digi10ve.com/2012/01/06/laidback-luke-gets-engaged-to-gina-turner/

External links[link]

• Official website
• Laidback Luke discography at Discogs
• Laidback Luke on Myspace
• Interview on Clubplanet

The Station nightclub fire was the fourth deadliest nightclub fire in American history, killing 100 people. The fire began at 11:07 PM EST, on Thursday, February 20, 2003, at The Station, a glam metal and rock n roll themed nightclub located at 211 Cowesett Avenue in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

The fire was caused by pyrotechnics set off by the tour manager of the evening's headlining band, Great White, which ignited flammable sound insulation foam in the walls and ceilings surrounding the stage. A fast-moving fire engulfed the club in 5½ minutes. Some 230 people were injured and another 132 escaped uninjured. Video footage of the fire shows its initial growth, billowing smoke that quickly made escape impossible, and the exit blockage that further hindered evacuation.

Fire[link]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2012)

The fire started just seconds into headlining band Great White's opening song, "Desert Moon," when pyrotechnics set off by the band's tour manager, Daniel Biechele, ignited flammable acoustic foam on both sides of the drummer's alcove at the back of the stage. The pyrotechnics were gerbs, cylindrical devices that produce a controlled spray of sparks. Biechele used three gerbs set to spray sparks 15 feet (4.6 m) for 15 seconds. Two gerbs were at 45-degree angles, with the middle one pointing straight up. The flanking gerbs became the principal cause of the fire.

The flames were at first thought to be part of the act; only as the fire reached the ceiling and smoke began to billow did people realize it was uncontrolled. Twenty seconds after the pyrotechnics ended, the band stopped playing and lead singer Jack Russell calmly remarked into the microphone, "Wow...that's not good." In less than a minute, the entire stage was engulfed in flames, with most of the band members and entourage fleeing for the west exit by the stage.

By this time, the nightclub's Wheelock AS fire alarm system had made everyone acutely aware of the impending danger, and, although there were four possible exits, most people naturally headed for the front door through which they had entered. The ensuing stampede led to a crush in the narrow hallway leading to that exit, quickly blocking the exit completely and resulting in numerous deaths and injuries among the patrons and staff. Of the 462^[1] in attendance, 100 lost their lives, and about half were injured, either from burns, smoke inhalation, or trampling. Among those who perished in the fire were Great White's lead guitarist, Ty Longley, and the show's emcee, WHJY DJ Mike "The Doctor" Gonsalves.

The fire, from its inception, was caught on videotape by cameraman Brian Butler for WPRI-TV of Providence, and the beginning of the tape was released to national news stations. Butler was there for a planned piece on nightclub safety being reported by Jeffrey Derderian, a WPRI news reporter who was also a part-owner of The Station. WPRI-TV would later be cited for conflict of interest in having a reporter do a report concerning his own property.^[2] The report had been inspired by the E2 nightclub stampede in Chicago that had claimed 21 lives only three days earlier. At the scene of the fire, Butler gave this account of the tragedy:^[3]

“

...It was that fast. As soon as the pyrotechnics stopped, the flame had started on the egg-crate backing behind the stage, and it just went up the ceiling. And people stood and watched it, and some people backed off. When I turned around, some people were already trying to leave, and others were just sitting there going, 'Yeah, that's great!' And I remember that statement, because I was, like, this is not great. This is the time to leave. At first, there was no panic. Everybody just kind of turned. Most people still just stood there. In the other rooms, the smoke hadn't gotten to them, the flame wasn't that bad, they didn't think anything of it. Well, I guess once we all started to turn toward the door, and we got bottle-necked into the front door, people just kept pushing, and eventually everyone popped out of the door, including myself. That's when I turned back. I went around back. There was no one coming out the back door anymore. I kicked out a side window to try to get people out of there. One guy did crawl out. I went back around the front again, and that's when you saw people stacked on top of each other, trying to get out of the front door. And by then, the black smoke was pouring out over their heads. I noticed when the pyro stopped, the flame had kept going on both sides. And then on one side, I noticed it come over the top, and that's when I said, 'I have to leave.' And I turned around, I said, 'Get out, get out, get to the door, get to the door!' And people just stood there. There was a table in the way at the door, and I pulled that out just to get it out of the way so people could get out easier. And I never expected it take off as fast as it did. It just -- it was so fast. It had to be two minutes tops before the whole place was black smoke.

”

Aftermath[link]

Thousands of mourners attended a memorial service at St. Gregory the Great Church in Warwick on February 24, 2003, to remember those lost in the fire. Following the tragedy, Governor Donald Carcieri declared a moratorium on pyrotechnic displays at venues that hold fewer than 300 people.

Makeshift memorial at the location of the Station night club

Five months after the fire, Great White started a benefit tour, saying a prayer at the beginning of each concert for the friends and families touched by that fateful night and giving a portion of the proceeds to the Station Family Fund. The band said they would never play the song "Desert Moon" again. "I don't think I could ever sing that song again," said lead singer and founder Jack Russell.^[4] Guitarist Mark Kendall stated, "We haven't played that song. Things that bring back memories of that night we try to stay away from. And that song reminds us of that night. We haven't played it since then and probably never will."^[5] The band has since resumed playing the song.^[6]

The fire was the deadliest in the United States since the 1977 Southgate, Kentucky, Beverly Hills Supper Club fire that claimed 165 lives. The worst nightclub fire occurred on November 28, 1942, in Boston at the Cocoanut Grove, where 492 died after paper decorations caught fire. The Rhythm Night Club Fire in Natchez, Mississippi, claimed the lives of approximately 209 persons during a dance on April 23, 1940. The Station fire exceeded the death toll of 87 in the March 25, 1990 Happyland Fire in the Bronx, New York City.

The site of the fire was cleared, and a multitude of crosses were placed as memorials, left by loved ones of the deceased. Surviving family members have announced their intention to acquire the site and erect a permanent memorial.^[7]

On May 20, 2003, nondenominational services began to be held at the site of the fire on a monthly basis. Family members and friends gathered to memorialize their loved ones. In June 2003, the Station Fire Memorial Foundation was formed^[8] with the purpose of purchasing the property, building and maintaining a memorial. The Foundation continues to hold yearly services on the site, near the anniversary of the fire.

Investigation[link]

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In the days after the fire, there were considerable efforts to assign and avoid blame on the part of the band, the nightclub owners, the manufacturers and distributors of the foam material and pyrotechnics, and the concert promoters. Through attorneys, club owners said they did not give permission to the band to use pyrotechnics. Band members claimed they had permission.

While investigators focused on the foam material that had been installed behind the stage, claiming the foam was intended for use in packaging and product display, testimony available to the public contradicts this. Testimony by Barry Warner, the salesman from American Foam who sold the foam to the Derderians, confirmed that there was a sales order for high-density acoustic soundproofing foam. Chemical analysis of the actual foam that was in the nightclub on the evening of the fire was never released to the public. A roll of foam confiscated from the basement of the nightclub after the fire was removed by the ATF but the testing done on that specific foam was never released to the public. Witnesses to the fire reported that once ignited, flames spread across the foam at approximately one foot per second.

A National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) investigation of the fire, using computer simulations with FDS and a mock-up of the stage area and dance floor, concluded that a fire sprinkler system would have contained the fire long enough to give everyone time to get out safely.^[9] However, because of the building's age (built in 1946^[10]) and size (4,484 square feet (404 m²)), many believed the Station to be exempt from sprinkler system requirements. In fact, the building had undergone an occupancy change when it was converted from a restaurant to a nightclub. This change dissolved its exemption from the law, a fact that West Warwick fire inspectors never noticed. On the night in question, the Station was legally required to have a sprinkler system but did not;^[11] outcry over the event has sparked calls for a national Fire Sprinkler Incentive Act but those efforts have so far stalled.^[12]

On December 9, 2003, brothers Jeffrey A. and Michael A. Derderian, the two owners of The Station nightclub, and Daniel M. Biechele, Great White's former road manager, were charged with 200 counts of involuntary manslaughter — two per death, because they were indicted under two separate theories of the crime: criminal-negligence manslaughter (resulting from a legal act in which the accused ignores the risks to others and someone is killed) and misdemeanor manslaughter (resulting from a petty crime that causes a death). Three of the four men pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Derderians also were fined $1.07 million for failing to carry workers' compensation insurance for their employees, four of whom died in the blaze.

Band manager's trial[link]

The first criminal trial was against Great White's tour manager at the time, Daniel Michel Biechele /ˈbiːkliː/ BEE-klee, 29, from Orlando, Florida. This trial was scheduled to start May 1, 2006, but Biechele, against his lawyers' advice,^[13] pled guilty to 100 counts of involuntary manslaughter on February 7, 2006, in what he said was an effort to "bring peace, I want this to be over with."^[13]

Biechele sentencing[link]

On May 10, 2006, State Prosecutor Randall White asked to sentence Biechele to 10 years in prison, the maximum allowed under the plea bargain, citing the massive loss of life in The Station fire and the need to send a message.^[13] Speaking to the public for the first time since the fire, Biechele appeared remorseful during his sentencing. Choking back tears, he made a statement to the court and to the families of the victims.

Biechele's statement to the court[link]

“

For three years, I've wanted to be able to speak to the people that were affected by this tragedy, but I know that there's nothing that I can say or do that will undo what happened that night. Since the fire, I have wanted to tell the victims and their families how truly sorry I am for what happened that night and the part that I had in it. I never wanted anyone to be hurt in any way. I never imagined that anyone ever would be. I know how this tragedy has devastated me, but I can only begin to understand what the people who lost loved ones have endured. I don't know that I'll ever forgive myself for what happened that night, so I can't expect anybody else to. I can only pray that they understand that I would do anything to undo what happened that night and give them back their loved ones. I'm so sorry for what I have done, and I don't want to cause anyone any more pain. I will never forget that night, and I will never forget the people that were hurt by it. I am so sorry.

”

Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan sentenced Biechele to 15 years in prison, with four to serve and 11 years suspended, plus three years probation, for his role in the fire.^[14] Darigan remarked, "The greatest sentence that can be imposed on you has been imposed on you by yourself." Under this sentence, with good behavior, Biechele would be eligible for parole in September 2007. Judge Darigan deemed Biechele highly unlikely to re-offend, which was among the mitigating factors that led to his decision to impose this sentence.

The sentence drew mixed reactions in the courtroom. Many of the families believed that the punishment was just; others had hoped for a more severe sentence.^[14]

Biechele's parole supported by families of victims[link]

On September 4, 2007, some families of the fire's victims expressed their support for Biechele's parole.

Leland Hoisington, whose 28-year-old daughter, Abbie, was killed in the fire, told reporters, "I think they should not even bother with a hearing -- just let Biechele out... I just don't find him as guilty of anything." The state parole board received approximately 20 letters, the majority of which expressed their sympathy and support for Biechele, some going as far as to describe him as a "scapegoat" with limited responsibility.

Board chairwoman Lisa Holley told journalists of her surprise at the forgiving attitude of the families, saying, "I think the most overwhelming part of it for me was the depth of forgiveness of many of these families that have sustained such a loss."

Dave Kane and Joanne O'Neill, parents of youngest victim Nicholas O'Neill, released their letter to the board to reporters. "In the period following this tragedy, it was Mr. Biechele, alone, who stood up and admitted responsibility for his part in this horrible event... He apologized to the families of the victims and made no attempt to mitigate his guilt," the letter said.

Others pointed out that Biechele had sent handwritten letters to the families of each of the 100 victims and that he had a work release position in a local charity.

On September 19, 2007, the Rhode Island Parole Board announced that Biechele would be released in March 2008.

Biechele was released from prison on March 19, 2008. As reported by the Associated Press, he did not answer any questions and was quickly whisked away in a waiting car.

Nightclub owners' trial[link]

Following Biechele's trial, the Station's owners, Michael and Jeffrey Derderian, were scheduled to receive separate trials. However, on September 21, 2006, Superior Court Judge Francis J. Darigan announced that the brothers had changed their pleas from "not guilty" to "no contest," thereby avoiding a trial.^[15] Michael Derderian received 15 years in prison, with four to serve and 11 years suspended, plus three years probation—the same sentence as Biechele. Jeffrey Derderian received a 10-year suspended sentence, three years probation, and 500 hours of community service.

In a letter to the victims' families,^[16] Judge Darigan said that a trial "would only serve to further traumatize and victimize not only the loved ones of the deceased and the survivors of this fire, but the general public as well." He added that the difference in the brothers' sentences reflected their respective involvement with the purchase and installation of the flammable foam.

Rhode Island Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch objected strenuously to the plea bargain, saying that both brothers should have received jail time and that Michael Derderian should have received more time than Biechele.^[15]

In January 2008, the Parole Board decided to grant Michael Derderian an early release; he was scheduled to be released from prison in September 2009, but was granted his release in June 2009 for good behavior.^[17]

Civil settlements by other defendants[link]

As of August 2008, nearly $175 million has been offered to the families of the victims of the fire by various defendants in settlement.

In February 2008, Providence television station WPRI-TV made an out-of-court settlement of US $30 million as a result of the claim that their video journalist was said to be obstructing escape and not helping people exit. WPRI-TV (owned by LIN Broadcasting) was filming a story on nightclub tragedies, and was there that night to film as part of their story.^[18]

In late March 2008, JBL Speakers settled out of court for $815,000. JBL was accused of using flammable foam inside their speakers. The company denied any wrongdoing.^[19]

Anheuser-Busch has offered $5 million,^[20] McLaughlin & Moran, Anheuser-Busch's distributor, has offered $16 million,^[20] Clear Channel Broadcasting has offered $22 million.^[21] Home Depot and insulation company Polar Industries has also made a settlement offer of $5 million.^[22]

Sealed Air Corporation agreed to pay $25 million as settlement. Sealed Air made soundproofing foam installed in the club.^[23] The State of Rhode Island and the town of West Warwick agreed to pay $10 million as settlement.^[24]

In September 2008 the band Great White offered $1 million in a settlement to survivors and victim's relatives,^[25] the maximum allowed under the band's insurance plan.^[26] Club owners Jeffrey and Michael Derderian have offered to settle for $813,000,^[27] which is to be covered by their insurance plan due to the pair having bankruptcy protection from lawsuits.^[27]

There are other named defendants who have not yet made a settlement offer including American Foam Corporation who sold the insulation to the Station Nightclub.^[28]

See also[link]

	Disasters portal
	Fire portal
	Rhode Island portal

• 2000 Luoyang Christmas fire
• Lame Horse fire
• República Cromañón nightclub fire
• Wuwang Club fire

References[link]

External links[link]

News articles[link]

• RI Club Fire Figure Released From Prison USA Today, March 19, 2008
• Inferno Horror at the Fire Station, Hammernews, February 21-March 14, 2003
• Nightclub owners, band's tour manager charged in deadly fire, Associated Press, December 9, 2003
• Governor: Examinations Of Nightclub Victims Complete, WJAR-TV Rhode Island, February 24, 2003
• 96 Dead in Fire Ignited at Rhode Island Club, The New York Times, February 23, 2003
• R.I. Nightclub Fire Kills 96, Washington Post, February 22, 2003
• Club, band dispute permission to use fireworks, CNN, February 22, 2003
• 1st Criminal Trial WJAR, 2005-12-12
• Guilty Plea WJAR, 2006-01-31

Other links[link]

• Boston Globe: "Portraits of People who Died in the R.I Nightclub Fire" 2003
• Station Family Fund The Station Family Fund founded in 2003 is an all volunteer non profit founded by survivors of the fire in the aftermath of the Station nightclub fire to meet the needs of the survivors and victims families
• Station Fire Memorial Foundation The Station Fire Memorial Foundation site. Includes a full list of the victims.
• Great White performance rider, The Smoking Gun.
• Continuing detailed coverage by the Providence Journal Including: an investigation of the town's fire, police, and building inspection processes; the National Institute of Standards and Technology report on the fire; a report of the emergency response to the fire; dangers of polyurethane foam in furniture, mattresses, pillows, and carpet padding; profiles of the club's owners; and the indictment and civil complaint documents. Free registration required.
• National Fire Protection Association web page Nightclubs/assembly occupancies Includes a report on the fire, links to nightclub safety tips, information on safe use of pyrotechnics, and other relevant information.
• NIST simulations of the fire: without sprinklers; with sprinklers
• "41: The Movie: Nick O'Neill". http://www.41themovie.com.  The story of the fire's youngest victim, Nick O'Neill
• Full NIST government investigation: http://www.nist.gov/manuscript-publication-search.cfm?pub_id=100988

Coordinates: 41°41′03.5″N 71°30′39″W / 41.684306°N 71.51083°W / 41.684306; -71.51083