Suicide to occur at industrial metal gig...
Published September 19, 2003
Robbie may have made history with the size of his Knebworth gigs, Simon & Garfunkel may be making history by reforming, but Florida industrial rock band Hell On Earth might be making real history next month. They plan to allow one of their fans to take their own life at an upcoming show at St Petersburg State Theatre on 4 Oct. The fan is terminally ill and wants to bring his life to an end in a high profile way to raise awareness for the campaign to allow euthanasia.
Commenting on the event the band's frontman told the Rolling Stone: "I support the right to die with dignity. I got an email a few weeks ago from this person, who is a fan of the band and who stated an interest in doing this. I was sceptical at first, but we did some research and talked to the person and met, and they're going to do it."
Technically speaking the band run the risk of a 15 year prison sentence for 'assisting in the commission of self-murder' and local police officials are hoping the announcement is a publicity stunt. Bill Proffitt of the St Petersburg Police: "I don't know if this is a publicity stunt, but we will most likely try to head them off at the pass and show them the statute. They may not be aware that it is a crime." The band run the risk of 15 years in prison if charged.
But Tourtelot says his legal team say he will not be guilty of such a crime: "I'm definitely not assisting in any suicide... what I'm doing may be immoral, but it's not illegal."
The fan in question, who will remain anonymous until the day of the gig, has written: "I thank the Lord that Hell on Earth is giving me this opportunity to end my suffering. I just want to say as my last will and testament that this is my God-given choice to end my life. I'd prefer to have a physician-assisted suicide but until the laws are changed, those who are in pain like me will either have to continue to suffer or do it themselves.
Via: CMU
Marty's band, Growing Old Disgracefully, can be found at: Disgraceful Music. His Cthulhu tales can be found at Temple of Dagon. 
- Suicide to occur at industrial metal gig...
- Published: September 19, 2003
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- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: News
- Writer: Marty Dodge
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This could not be more wretched, especially in the guise of displaying "mercy" and empathy and whatever other shit. It's another step toward the Roman Colosseum - Jagger was prophetic 30 years ago with "It's Only Rock and Roll."
Under the circumstances no doubt many in the crowd will cheer as if it were another "Jackass" stunt.
This story was originally aired on the Bubba the Love Sponge Show, a live morning show that airs from WXTB-FM 98 ROCK, a Clear Channel station here in Tampa Bay.
Prior to this story, Bubba's show received this media alert, which was e-mailed to him and one member of his production staff, with the hope that they would use it as a PSA.
I think that, rather than promoting suicide, Mr. Clem should be doing something to try and prevent it. You can e-mail Bubba here to tell him to do something positive in helping to prevent others from committing suicide.
Cheers.
I was at the Randy Savage "concert" at Mr. B's in Treasure Island, FL earlier this month. Randy got heckled like crazy by the 400-500 fans who showed up. The CD skipping and subsequent walkout was a fitting end to an ill-conceived evening.
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If this is true, it's just plain sick. If this guy wants to end his life, he should just do so on his own. It's not like there's something stopping him. There's something mentally wrong with not only the person who wants to kill himself in front of others. Not only him, but this group for wanting to help him achieve this lovely dream, an also for the disgusting idiots who will show up to the show just to see this.