Const. Bob Bedford sets up a closed sign outside Labatt Raceway to let fans know the party was over at Rockfest '99.

Bands say promoter didn't pay

Trouble-plagued Rockfest '99 ends as fury greets cash shortfall

It started with a bang and ended with a whimper.

Literally.

Leaving a trail of angry rock bands, security companies and small businesses in its wake, Rockfest '99 collapsed like a venue tent yesterday afternoon amid allegations promoters left thousands of dollars in unpaid bills.

Frank Scott, the event's long-time promoter, bore the brunt of the wrath. Shortly after agreeing to meet a reporter in the lobby of the Leduc Inn yesterday afternoon, he was spotted preparing to take off in the back parking lot.

"In my estimation, the media killed the show," he said as his wife and kids packed up the car.

At that point, Tuania Sawchuk, manager of the Five Man Electrical Band - one of several Rockfest bands that hadn't been paid - lost her cool, kneed Scott in the groin and slapped his face. "Yeah, that's what happened!" she shouted at him before storming away.

The promoter broke into tears shortly thereafter and refused further comment.

"We all wanted to make it work," sobbed Scott's wife Lori Meier, who also worked as Rockfest publicist.

A release from RCMP at the site said the promoters had determined the $1.2 million show was "unable to meet expenses with projected revenues for today."

It came just 12 hours after headliner Def Leppard announced to the crowd they hadn't been paid and were going on for free. In fact, the band had received half its $80,000 fee, according to B stage production manager Terry McConaghy.

RCMP on the site confirmed they asked the bands and organizers to keep playing Saturday night to avoid a riot.

"That was a concern, especially in light of the Woodstock event," said Const. Angela Workman, referring to the arson-filled riots at the festival in Rome, New York, last month.

While the major names that performed at Rockfest received money in the form of large upfront deposits, none of the acts apparently were paid what they were promised.

"It's obvious to me that they were amateurs and in way over their heads," said Chris Crawford, manager of Los Angeles band Heaven & Earth, which performed Saturday. "We've all got contracts that are unfulfilled. None of the bands got paid."

Workman said the Mounties would forward any official complaints from those allegedly owed money to RCMP Commercial Crimes.

The problems started before the show Saturday night, when production workers said they wouldn't assemble the stage until they were paid, but were placated by organizers.

Then after a raucous show by Sammy Hagar, Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliot announced that the promoter had "left town" with their money.

Lance Lamond, owner of Al R. Security, was working under a similar assumption. It was the "first major job" for his company of eight security guards, who were earning $10 an hour each and who Lamond says haven't seen dime one.

"I'm worried we're just not going to get paid at all," he said, angered that the RCMP was allegedly paid $50,000 up front for extra show security. "I'll be suing for my company."

He can get in line - a spokesman for the show's prinicipal sponsor, K-97 FM, said it will be "our obligation to go to bat for everyone who deserves money back.

"We should be taking charge of getting restitution owed to anyone," said program director Steve Jones. "We're just incredibly furious about it."