ZZ Top Cuts Alabama Show Over Safety Concerns

ZZ Top canceled their June 9th show in Atmore, Alabama over safety concerns with the stage, reports Ultimate Classic Rock. Following the cancelation, the band issued a statement, saying, “We’re definitely from ‘the show must go on’ school but had to draw the line this time when we found out that numerous hazards were present at the venue.” ZZ Top had hoped to handle all safety concerns before the show, but their efforts didn’t meet their safety standards. “We couldn’t, in good conscience, do the show knowing that the safety for those on and off stage would be in jeopardy,” said the band. 3 Doors Down, ZZ Top’s tourmates, noted a “significant risk of a potential stage collapse.”

Last August, safety concerns over outdoor stages and venues came to a boiling point when a stage collapsed at the Indiana State Fair during a Sugarland show, killing seven people and leaving more than 50 injured. Winds were cited reaching 60 to 70 miles per hour at the time of the collapse. Facing lawsuits, Sugarland member Jennifer Nettles testified about whether the band had declined to delay their concert, and Sugarland’s manager was investigated over reportedly urging the band to play.