Cheap Trick was in the middle of their July 17 set at the Ontario festival when the stage collapsed on the band. The group made it to safety but their gear was crushed. Others weren’t so lucky. Several people were hospitalized for minor injuries including Cheap Trick truck driver Sandy Sanderson.
In a statement posted on the band’s website, Cheap Trick announced they have canceled their Sept. 1 appearance at “Pacific National Exhibition” in Vancouver, British Columbia, at PNE Amphitheatre. The band says it isn’t comfortable performing on a stage put together by Groupe Berger/Mega-Stage.
“All potential alternatives have been explored by the band and promoter and were exhausted, leaving Cheap Trick with no other option than to cancel their September 1st engagement at the PNE.
“Unless current investigation(s) prove otherwise, the band will not, as a matter of principle, but more importantly, as a matter of safety, appear on a Berger stage in the future.”
Tickets can be refunded at point of purchase.
Last week band manager Dave Frey released a statement with questions about what caused the collapse – and what companies and organizers were doing to protect artists and fans from future disasters.
“Was it a design flaw? Was it an implementation mistake? These are important questions that must be answered,” Frey said.
Click here for Cheap Trick’s website.