Band reuniting for one song in benefit concert

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The rock band whose pyrotechnics sparked a deadly night club fire last month plans to perform together for the first time since the blaze to benefit a memorial fund in honor of guitarist Ty Longley, who was among the 99 victims.

Great White will choose one song to play during a charity concert with other performers in West Hollywood, Calif., on April 29, the group's manager, Paul Woolnough, said Friday.

He said the money would go to help Longley's pregnant girlfriend, victim relief funds and students seeking art scholarships.

The Feb. 20 fire started as pyrotechnics shot up during the band's first set at The Station nightclub in West Warwick. Ninety-nine people died and nearly 190 others were injured. So far, two civil suits have been filed on behalf of three families who lost loved ones in the fire, but others families and survivors have hired lawyers and plan to sue.

A judge on Friday gave attorneys for potential plaintiffs and defendants permission to begin gathering evidence from the burned-out shell of the club starting Wednesday. Attorneys are looking for materials that may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire and toxic nature of the fumes.

Investigators for the state have already been through the site as part of a criminal investigation.

Great White had been performing mainly at small venues after reaching the peak of its fame with the 1990 hit "Once Bitten, Twice Shy." Other than the benefit concert, Great White has no plans to perform again, Woolnough said.