The updates are below.

Great White’s Record Label Sets Up Ty Longley Foundation To Aid Victims.

Paul Woolnough the president of Great White’s record label, Knight Records, announced on Wednesday that he has set up a foundation to aid the victims and their families. 

Paul posted the following updates on the Knight Records Website.

Of course everybody has heard of the tragic events that took place in Rhode Island and our love pours out to all the people that lost their lives, and their families, along with anybody and everybody that has been affected directly or indirectly by this.  Ty Longley who was among the people that passed away was in the process of writing and recording his own CD, that he was going to make when he returned home from the tour.  Along with the other people that passed away, his dreams will now never be achieved. As well as being a great musician and an amazingly sweet person, he was also my best friend.  Nothing can replace the lives lost and no words can take away the pain that everybody is feeling at this time. We are a very small label, but we are determined to find a way to contribute to the funds that have been and will be set up to assist the victims of this disaster.

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After much thought as to how we could help the victims of the West Warwick tragedy, I decided that from now on, we will donate $5.00 from the proceeds of each CD sold on our ONLINE STORE to the various relief funds.

Also there has been an overwhelming response from people that want music that was written or recorded by Ty Longley, who sadly passed away in the fire.  I have gone through all the material that we have and after speaking with his Dad and Sister today, we are going to release a CD that contains music recorded by Ty, with various different musicians. All the proceeds from this CD will go to the newly formed TY LONGLEY FOUNDATION, that is being set up along with his Parents blessing.  This foundation will contribute to many needy causes, including the fire relief funds that will benefit the victims of Feb 20.  This CD is available for pre-ordering  NOW at the low price of $10.00.  

You can pre-order the disc on the Knight Records website. 

Ty’s Girlfriend Thanks antiMUSIC Readers For Their Support. 

Ty’s girlfriend, Heidi Peralta, posted a message on our original article about Ty, thanking antiMUSIC readers for their support and asking us never to forget Ty. Here posting is below: 

Thank you all for the support. We will do a memorial soon. I want to travel everywhere but I want to take care of our unborn baby also. Please never forget Ty and his sense of humor and love. Always hold him close to you and let his music fill your soul. Rockin in heaven is the ultimate gig for Ty! Love to you all and much thanks Heidi, Ty, and Baby Longley

Ty’s Father Asks People To Stop the Finger-pointing. 

Youngstown, OH CBS Affiliate WKBN reported the following: 

Ty Longley's father who is now at home in Trumbull County doesn't agree with the finger-pointing directed toward Great White.  Pat Longley says, if anything, the blame should be shared between the club owners and the managers of the band.  

He stresses that 31-year-old Ty was a musician, and did not make decisions forGreat White. In any case, Longley says pointing fingers can't reverse the loss.

 Ty's father, Patrick Longley, told First News, "No, it doesn't bring my son back or any of the other 96.  No one is coming back. It could have been avoided, but fingerpointing at the band I feel was highly unfair." 

The Longley family and friends are planning a private service, and a "memorial concert" for Ty at Yankee Lake.  The date and time are unconfirmed, pending the arrival of Ty's remains from Rhode Island.

Hollywood Memorial Postponed. 

Happenin’ Harry, the Hollywood promoter who was planning a memorial for Ty this Sunday (March 2nd) at the Cat Club in Hollywood has postponed the memorial. 

Ty was a regular player in the Haptones, the all-star jam band fronted by Happenin’ Harry who perform at Happenin’ Harry’s Hellhole night at the Cat Club every Sunday night. Many regulars at the Cat Club knew Ty well and Harry along with Ty’s girlfriend Heidi plan to hold a memorial at a future date that is yet to be determined. 

Members Of Local Opening Band Also Lost In The Fire. 

We have learned from another Fan Speak posting by a fan that members of one of the opening groups at the Great White concert were also lost.  That posting is below: 

RI band Fathead lost its songwriter/guitarist/backing vocalist, Steve Mancini and bass  player, Keith Mancini (not related) in the tragic fire. Also lost was Steve's wife of 15 months, Andrea. Fathead made their debut at the Station in 1/02 opening for Dokken performing all original music with a couple of covers thrown in for good measure. Fathead went on to win the Station's battle of the bands later that year for which they were awarded a small cash prize and the promise of an opening slot for a national act at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence. They were in the process of making demo recordings in preparation for a future independent CD release. Fathead drummer, Al Prudhomme, and singer, Tom Conte, both escaped the fire without injury. Musicians like Steve and Keith, that would leave their day jobs and excitedly go straight to non-paying gigs, are the lifeblood of live music and deserve as much tribute and recognition as anyone on the national level. This is in no way meant to diminish the loss of Ty. More of a rage against the media for overlooking the "little people". I am on a campaign to not let them be overlooked for the wonderful people that they were just because they were local.

Because of rapid development of news related to the Rhode Island tragedy we have set up a news hub for related stories.

Rant or Rave? Your turn, post you comments and thoughts on this news item. But hey keep it clean, we wouldn't want to have to wash your mouth out with Old Spice.

Fan Speak: