New Law Passed to Block Concert Suicide

MSN/AP ^ | 9/29/03 | staff

[ppaul]

The St. Petersburg city council passed a law Monday designed to scuttle a rock group's plans to feature an onstage suicide. The hard-rock band Hell on Earth had said that a suicide by a terminally ill person would take place during a concert Saturday to raise awareness of right-to-die issues.

In response, the city council met Monday morning to unanimously approve an emergency ordinance making it illegal to conduct a suicide for commercial or entertainment purposes, and to host, promote and sell tickets for such an event.

"While I still think it's a publicity stunt, we still couldn't sit idly by and let somebody lose their life," council member Bill Foster said.

Tampa-based Hell of Earth, known for such outrageous onstage stunts as chocolate syrup wrestling and grinding up live rats in a blender, created the furor by announcing the suicide would happen Saturday at the Palace Theater in downtown St. Petersburg.

But the theater's owner, David Hundley, promptly canceled the band's show, and another venue also turned away the event.

Band leader Billy Tourtelot has vowed that the concert and suicide will still take place at an undisclosed location in the city, broadcast live on the band's Web site.

"This show is far more than a typical Hell On Earth performance," Tourtelot said in an e-mail last week. "This is about standing up for what you believe in, and I am a strong supporter of physician-assisted suicide."

A message left for Tourtelot was not immediately returned Monday.

A Florida law already makes assisting in a suicide manslaughter, a second-degree felony.

Hell on Earth is playing clubs in support of its independently produced album, "All Things Disturbingly Sassy."

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On the Net: Hell on Earth - http://www.hellonearth.net

[ppaul]

Band leader Billy Tourtelot has vowed that the concert and suicide will still take place at an undisclosed location in the city...

Any FReepers planning on getting tickets?

[New Horizon]

Hell on Earth is playing clubs in support of its independently produced album, "All Things Disturbingly Sassy."

Guess they're tyrying to appeal to the gay crowd too.

[battlegearboat]

The only tickets left are court side.

[NRA1776]

I live near St. Pete. and I did not plan to attend. Of course they had only sold 6 tickets prior to the cancellation so it appears I was not alone. Why ruin a concert when we have the 200' tall Sunshine Skyway bridge nearby, where many a lost soul has taken their final step. I personnally suggest aiming for the rocks below so the Fire Dept. can find you without launching a water rescue. I admit the rocks tend to make things a little messy, but you won't have to worry about living through the ordeal and having to try again.

[StriperSniper]

They have a very interesting site, the "Circuit Chick T-Shirt" in particular in the "SHOPS" section.

[Vicki]

If you have a strong stomach go to the band's web site. Make sure to read the lyrics and check out the band's photos.

I'll probably have nightmares tonight.