Live Nation Charged Over Radiohead Gig Death

A stage collapse prior to a Radiohead show, which claimed the life of stage technician in Canada last June, has resulted in charges against Live Nation Canada, staging company Optex Staging & Services and engineer Domenic Cugliari.

Scott Johnson, a 33-year-old drum technician died just under a year ago in the collapse, and the Toronto Sun has reported that the “complex investigation” carried out by the Canadian Ministry Of Labour has resulted in 13 charges. Eight of those are aimed at touring giant Live Nation, which the Ministry alleges failed to ensure that the structure could deal with the loads.

“We will vigorously defend ourselves and we are confident that through this process the facts will come to light and we will be exonerated,” Live Nation – who now have a new staging contractor – said in a statement.

Optex face similar charges and Cugliari is accused of endangering a worker. The Ministry says corporations face up to $500,000 per charge and individuals $25,000 per charge or up to a year in jail.

Paul Bonney, drummer for the Australian Pink Floyd Show and a close friend to Johnson, said, “It will never bring Scott back, but (the charges are) a little bit of closure… A day doesn't go by without me thinking of Scott; he was my best mate. When I first went back on the road… I was in tears.”

The trial is expected to begin 27 June.