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On Monday Feb 25 some of the biggest bands in rock and country music united to play a benefit show for the victims of the Station nightclub fire. Hard rockers Twisted Sister, Tesla, Aaron Lewis, Stryper and Tom Scholz rocked the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence Rhode Island to an enthusiastic crowd. Before the show we caught up with Tesla lead singer Jeff Keith for a quick chat about the event, here's what was on his mind.
Tesla was the first band to volunteer for The Station Family Fund , how did you become associated with this cause?
My personal assistant Jeff Rader perished in the fire. I remember we were in the studio recording “ Into the Now ' working on a song called " Miles Away" talking about people have a misconception that everything goes right for you when your in a band, when we got the news.
I'm sorry to hear of your loss
Thanks man I appreciate it.
What happened next?
Well then Troy (Luccketta) started digging in and said there's kids that are shoeless, parentless and people who need help. He asked me if I'd help and I said "of course that's what I live for!"
How did Tesla help out?
About 2 years ago we did this thing with Shinedown and it was a big success. I mean just meeting these people and their spirit. It was a great experience.
How is it that Tesla is here again tonight?
The past 2 years Troy (Luccketta) has been trying to put this thing together and once he got The Dunkin’ Donuts Center he said " we got a place " and he had no bands but us and we said "of course we'll do it. The next thing you know he had everyone involved.
Do you remember The Station?
I played that club 3 times. I had no idea there were 2 exits back by the bathroom. No Clue! I played pool on the pool table. Just having a great time, not having a clue about where to run. I would've run to the same places the other people did.
Have you been back to The Station since the fire?
We went there after dinner with the survivors. It was snowing. We were looking at all these name markers and we finally got to our buddy, Jeff Rader, who perished in the fire. Just sitting there quiet, with the snow coming down lightly and just seeing that place leveled.
What are your expectations for this evening?
For people to know how important this is. To be aware of where the exits are located. I think it should be mandatory at a show. With this type of tragedy happening , for them to pass out fliers. Even if someone wants to throw it on the floor. To say here are the exits, just in case something happened. Its just like on an airplane , you've seen it a million times. But its for that one
person who hasn't been on an airplane flight before. Its serious, let's face it. Look how important it is with all those people who perished.
Do you think this should be a yearly event?
Yes , with all the people involved. All this media, all the awareness, this is great! I could see a big event like this happening every year. That's what I’m thinking when i see this. To be here and be a part of this and all this stuff. Everybody involved here is a superstar. The guys walking around with the headsets that are behind the scenes that nobody gets to go "hey look!" , they were a part of it. They're all superstars in my eyes, in their own right.
Jeff, thanks for your time
Jeff, thank you very much.
Please go to www.stationfamilyfund.org and make a donation to this very worth cause.
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