Breaking News: Rocklahoma Side Stages Collapse

PRYOR, Oklahoma - Two side stages collapse at Rocklahoma 2008 when a severe summer storm blasted the area. The Tulsa World reports one person sustained a broken arm.

The severe storm sent thousands of people to tents for cover, most seeking refuge in the "VIP" tent. Despite the storm, only concert attendees with wristbands were allowed into the VIP tent, perhaps the most sturdy structure at Rocklahoma. Strong wind gusts whipped through the area, peeling apart tent flaps, allowing rushing water into the area.

The Tri-Label and Retrospect Records stages both completely collapsed. Damage estimates are unknown.

Thousands of attendees trampled through standing water, uncertain of the evening's outcome. 

Update: concert has resumed as of 8:44 C.S.T.

 

 

Comments

[Juicey]

I am glad to see that no one was badly hurt. You would think that the people who put this whole thing together would accually look into the weather situation before they even think about advertising a concert like this. Sad to say I think that the people who put this together are to be blamed. I live in New Jersey and I read all the time about the bad weather that goes through there. If I know about it here they know about it where they are from too. Maybe they should think twice about doing this type of show in an area where bad weather is all too common.

Wishing those that are hurt a speedy recovery.......

[Audience Endangerment via internet]

Stage tops are suppose to break away at 60 MPH winds! If anchor properly using approved rigging the roof top should tear away and stage should not collapse.

Glad no one was Killed. It's ashamed people got hurt. An investigations should be started. Allegedly one of these two stages has collapsed or has been damaged before this event, wonder if it had been re-certified before this event?

Keep rockin' It's Oklahoma last of the Wild West.

[Fran from Spain]

Hi! hope everybody is ok...two festivals were cancelled in Spain this weekend due to summer storms, some injured but nothing serious...I was travelling with some friends to see Iron Maiden in one of those festivals when we listened in the radio that it had been cancelled...700 km for nothing...

Hope the injured there are ok...

[Chessie]

No matter where ya go, there's going to be something to wreck a festival. My area - Richmond VA - has had riots and a grandstand collapse at a couple of festivals. Needless to say they've been wary about having festivals like Rocklahoma ever since around here. Also, Petersburg, about 45 minutes south, has already had *2* tornadoes this year.

But look at it this way, nobody got seriously hurt, and perhaps things will be fixed by morning. It appears that the promoters are 'on the ball' as far as emergencies go.

[Rocket]

Hired to film some of the events at the festival including the talent and shows I can tell you what and how it all actually occurred. Having spent 30 prof. years in OK I am aware of the weather and as a film producer I am aware that the show must go on. No doubt, there could have been extreme injuries. Thankfully, all the attendees were aware of the looming danger above and took shelter. I am not aware some were turned aware from the VIP refuge. Actually, had things gotten worse that would have been the most dangerous place to be. By the way, the tent had two feet of water inside.
Whose to blame for the fallen stages? Thats debatable. I did notice and photograph the day prior one vertical truss on the north stage to be in an awkward position. Regardless it would have gone over.
Most surprisingly is know one was hurt by the extreme lighting.
The worst thing about the event was the company hired to video produce the LCD screen video had not a clue how to do it. It reminded of music videos we shot in the early eighties. This was the most abusive thing about the event.
And actually, the venue and the location is a great place and facility. The main stage is a permanently rock solid structure.
Weather can expectantly happen anywhere but the worst thing regarding the weather is there was no plane for evacuation. This was discussed among the film crew two days earlier. Not even a sheriff with a bullhorn giving direction for safety. That is waked.
Fortunately I am off to FL for another event. Wonder what their bad weather evacuation plan is?

[concerned]

rocket do you know which stage was that you noticed the faulty part on ? ... tri-label or retrosepct ?

[steven leonardo]

i was very sad to hear what happened, i sure hope everyone will be ok, to the fans and everyone at retro, hang in there. and remember no matter what, the show must go on.

steven leonardo/PYRAMID

[cathy]

I'm so glad that now was hurt seriously or even killed in that. We heard about it at South Texas Rockfest. We said a little prayer for you guys. It was sooo hot & dry there. This just proves how rockers just hang tough, & together when the going gets tough & the winds blow hard! Stay safe everyone. See ya at Rock the Bayou???? Houston Tx. Labor Day Week-end........ Peace, Love & Hugs :) Cathy (in Texas)

[jp]

i am glad that there werent any deaths. that is all the government,church people and media need to bash rockinroll music for. especially hair music!!!.i almost went out there to see the shows. the only reason i didnt go was the weather was going to be a problem. my 40 year old cousin with a mullet told me dont even bother. he lives in oklahama city. he said that it is hurricane season and the weather all year has been goofy!!!but you never know about mother nature??? if anything i hope they move the show a little later in the year.pick another location. and make sure that the stages are more secure. and have 24/7 weather reports for the promotors to monitor the situation . i am sure there will be some laws suits. after all this is america!!! lets hope that in the future this festible wont be canceled. rock on and and god bless everyone there. be safe and carefull leaving there!! j.p. from phoenix az

[Justice]

I just retuened home to Ste. Geneveieve, MO from Rocklahoma 2008. Although the storm was very wet it was nothing that anyone could not survive. Most people there needed a shower after two or three days in the hot sun at a rock concert anyway. As far as the VIP tent is concerned...there is a reason that it is called VIP! If you want shelter in the rain, air conditioning etc. then spend a few extra dollars and buy a VIP ticket. If you do not want to do that then bring a poncho! The VIP tent was full and anymore people in there could have been a disaster for everyone. The Rocklahoma organizers and security did a great job all around all week. Also all the bands from Saturday night got to play on Sunday on three new stages that were built in one night by the Rockahoma people. It was amazing!!
Rocklahoma is a outdoor event with rain, wind, sun etc. Be prepared for those things if you buy a ticket!

In my opinion this was a great festival just like n 2007 Where else can you see 100 rock bands in one place in one week for one price?!?(Besides Texas and tht Dakotas...Copy Cats!) I already purchased my VIP tickets for 2009 and I don't even know who the bands are. This is such a rocker's dream come true that I would never miss it no matter what the cost. (By the way, VIP tickets for 2009 are $450 each.) Get out your credit card or shut up! Either you rock or you suck. Rocklahoma started the 80's rock festival revival in the USA for all of us to enjoy. ROK RULES! Thanks.

JUSTICE

[Justice]

Quick note.. The Tri-Label stage did fall. I ate supper with the band that was on stage getting ready to play when it started to rain. The Retrospect stage was lowered during the storm and did not fall although allot of equipment was damaged by water. I was enjoying a steak in the VIP tent and there was some leaking but not two feet of water, just some run off. I have lots of video of us enjoying our meal while it rained.

I am sure more people were injured for drunkin stupidity then because of a rain storm.

[VanStephenson]

The mass of runny moscarra and bad wet hair was astounding. Hair spray cans had little effect. Muddy spandex was not a good look. I swear on my Holy Soldier albums - If there really was a god this never would have been allowed to happen. The aor and 80s mafia are left in absolute tizzy.

...and on the 8th day Jesus wept. Michael Sweet you should be ashamed of yourself.

[suzzie b]

I was there to see HARLOW and they did a good show even in the band weather. This is terrible! I was standing right next to that stage on Friday.. I really hope everyone is ok

[Lighting Co Employee]

Guys we do hundreds of roof shows a year here in OK. We are not "hillbillys" that just throw this together. Everyone that works at this company is highly trained. All of our employees are safe. The broken arm had nothing to do with our stage but to do with someone running in the mud.

[Andy A]

Nasty Nasty was the last band to play on the Retrospect Stage, and I can tell you this -
the Stage Hands and Crew techs were awsome.
Thanks to Sam for the oppurtunity to play there
This event was still sucessful!
CK Out House of Nasty at "Rock the Bayou" In Houston
in late August!!!!! P.S. the People at Rocklahoma were
Great, Have a Nasty Day

[littlequeen]

I understand that the staff knew in advance that the damaging winds were headed straight for us. How about announcing an INTERMISSION due to weather and advise all to take shelter temporarily and then the event will resume. I would have liked to have had the same notice that the staff had.

[Sam McCaslin]

Hello everyone , Sam of Retrospect Records here. I have much to post about but I am STILL in Tulsa after the Rock '08 debacle. FYI , the Retrospect stage fell right on our merch tent where Ron Keel , Ronny Munroe and Black n Blue were all signing autographs. Many people were inches away from death including my entire family. I have much to say and even have an insight into the line-up of 2009 , but I will wait until I return home on Thursday. Hang in there...

[OverKill Bill]

As I was on the south stage setting up Lynam when the storm hit..let me say.. the Sheriffs Dept. refused to check to see if people were pinned under fallen trussing....me and a couple others ran back in to check for victims ourselves. I was then appalled to see the same Sheriffs trying to evict people from under the back gate pavilion, like they had somewhere to go?? The stages were professionally erected and run by experienced personnel. I fault ANYONE who had knowledge of the severity of the weather, and did not notify personnel AND patrons of the coming onslaught.It is truly lucky that nobody was injured seriously or killed.
And to respond to Justice...The retrospect stage DID collapse, it was not lowered prior to storm.I was out in the shit/not in the VIP tent. Bill (Tour Mgr/ FOH for Steelheart)

[littlequeen]

Well, we were told by a staff member that the storm spotter warned that the storm was in a direct path for ROCK almost 2 hours before it hit, and that it had DAMAGING WINDS. The staff radioed one another but left the rest of us in the dark to fend for ourselves. Why did they not ANNOUNCE it and given everyone a choice whether to take shelter or stay? It would be nice to have an explaination.

[connie spfld mo.]

me my husband and 2 sons was in the tent next to the stage when storm hit. we saw some guys holding on to the rope of the tent my husband made us get just in time we ran to the hail high winds i was in a panic i thought we were going to die. very scarey stuff