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December 7th, 2002
Canceled rock show triggers melee
By KITTY CAPARELLA
caparek@phillynews.com

Welcome to the Jungle.

At least that's what some Guns N' Roses fans could have screamed last night as they ducked and ran for cover when a melee broke out at the First Union Center after the rock band turned out to be a no-show.

Police said two people were sent to the hospital and several others were also treated after some in the highly charged crowd began hurling debris and slugging one another upon hearing that the band had stood up some 20,000 concertgoers.

The concert was canceled, officials said, because the band's lead singer, Axl Rose, was ill.

There were no arrests, according to Capt. Tom Nestel, head of the Police Department's highway division.

Initially, Comcast-Spectacor officials denied there had been any problems during or following the concert.

"We had no problems here at all...people left in an orderly fashion," spokesman Ike Richman said.

"It's very simple. We were informed Axel was ill and wasn't going to appear in the building, and we made an announcement. We emptied the facility and everybody went home," said Peter Luukko, president of Comcast Spectacor Ventures, which owns and operates the center.

But later, Luukko admitted that there had been a disturbance but that officials had been prepared and that "damage was minimal."

Nestel said that about 100 cops responded and that it took about 60 to restore order inside.

"You name it, it was thrown, even a Christmas Tree was thrown," said concertgoer Joe Pudla, 20, of Glen Mills.

Witnesses reported that bottles, clothing and even binoculars had been tossed from upper levels of the center and that some fans even began to tear up the seats.

The trouble lasted about 45 minutes, Pudla said.

Things went awry shortly after the opening act, Mix Master Mike, ended its set about 9:45. Witnesses said about a half-hour later, fans began to realize something was amiss when stagehands began packing up their equipment and leaving.

The crowd grew increasingly agitated watching the stage crews leave and wondering when Guns N' Roses would begin.

Pudla said an announcement that the concert had been canceled was made about an hour after the opening act had finished. Luukko confirmed they made the announcement at 11:15, in part to have police and fire crews on hand in case a problem arose with the crowd.

Fans, some of whom paid as much as $67 per ticket, will be permitted to get a refund at their place of purchase. There's been no word yet on whether the band will play its scheduled concert tomorrow at the center.

 
 
Source(s): http://www.philly.com  
  
Thanks to: Kiki 
  
 
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