Madonna Stage Collapse in France Claims a Second Victim

A 32-year-old British man has died after suffering injuries due to the collapse of a stage being constructed for a Madonna concert in Marseilles, France, CNN reports. As Rock Daily reported yesterday, a 53-year old French man also died when a crane collapsed at the Stade Velodrome. One American remains in critical condition. Two other victims required surgery and seven others were treated and released when the roof of the stage caved in as four cranes were raising it. The Marseilles concert, scheduled for Sunday, July 19th, was canceled.

Madonna was in Udine, Italy yesterday at the time of the accident, rehearsing for her last night's concert at Fruili Stadium. During the Udine show, Madonna paid tribute to both victims of the accident prior to performing a tearful rendition of "You Must Love Me," telling the audience, "Before I continue the show I want to take a moment to acknowledge and pay tribute to two people who lost their lives today. I don't know if you've heard. Two men building my show in Marseille where we're going next — the crane fell and we don't know why. I hate to be associated with suffering. I want to pay tribute to their families. Let's take a moment to appreciate our family, loved ones, friends around us." According to fansite AllAboutMadonna, the singer also said, "Let's give it up for the two Charlies" before performing "Ray of Light," alluding to the fallen crewmembers.

"My prayers go out to those who were injured and their families along with my deepest sympathy to all those affected by this heartbreaking news," Madonna said in a statement following the incident. Roughly 27 fire engines and 80 firefighters were called to the Stade Velodrome after the accident occurred at 5:15 p.m. local time. No word yet how this tragedy will affect other dates of Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour.

Related Stories:
• Madonna "Devastated" After Deadly Stage Collapse in France
• Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour Rolls Into New York With Reworked Hits, Virtual Britney
• Madonna Kicks Off North American Tour With Top Hats, Double Dutch

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Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

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