Long-time roadie for KISS has died of Covid-19; crew blames lax safety protocols

[zuul]

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/kiss-francis-stueber-covid-tour-protocols-death-1249590/

. . . snip . . .

“We are profoundly heartbroken at the loss of Francis (Stueber), he was a friend and colleague of 20 years, there is no way to replace him,” the band tells Rolling Stone in a statement. “Millions of people have lost someone special to this horrific virus and we encourage everyone to get vaccinated. Please protect yourself and your loved ones.”

But three crew members — who spoke on the condition of anonymity over fear of retaliation — say not enough was done to protect them. They place the blame for Stueber’s death squarely on tour production. The trio told Rolling Stone that the tour didn’t take strict enough safety measures, which they say sickened several tour workers and potentially cost Stueber his life.

Stueber’s death marked an unexpected, tragic loss of one of the band’s most beloved crew members — and a wake-up call when it comes to touring during a pandemic that is still very much in play. In the wake of tragedy, members of the tour seem eager to place blame: Some of Stueber’s fellow roadies point to what they perceived to be lax Covid-19 safety protocols as the culprit; while the band reveals that workers concealed sickness and even faked vaccine cards in some cases. Either way, as the pandemic continues to imperil the live-music business — and artists fight to get back on the road to work — situations like these beg the question: How much is enough when it comes to keeping bands on the road and their teams safe?

Stueber’s wife, Catherine, did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone’s request for comment, but his sister Mary Stueber-Grass tells Rolling Stone: “He was a hard worker, he loved what he did, and he loved meeting people.… I’ve gotten messages from around the world from friends, fans — anyone who he’s met — sending pictures and memories. He was so full of life, and we’re all devastated.”

Link to tweet

[gldstwmn]

1. Maybe they could have held off on that last tour a little longer

but one of them is profoundly driven by money and just bought a 10 million dollar home in Beverly Hills after a public huff over taxes and living conditions in CA. His family didn't want to live in what looks like a $15 million office building in Las Vegas.
I hope they do right by his family.

[spanone]

2. You can bet they weren't lax for the band members.

[hlthe2b]

3. Interesting enough Gene Simmons (yeah, him) called out anti-Vaxxers for the idiots they are...

So, yeah. Apparently, the band members took the precautions that should likewise have been provided to the production crew.

[gldstwmn]

4. Exactly.

Last edited Fri Oct 29, 2021, 06:54 PM - Edit history (1)

Actually I have to edit my post because completely forgot that some of the band got really sick with Covid too.

[Drunken Irishman]

12. No. Gene Simmons turned hard against Republicans and Trump last year.

And I've never thought of Paul Stanley as a Republican/conservative.

[SoCalDavidS]

6. A Roadie On A Music Board I Frequent Said He Was Not Vaccinated

I have looked and not seen any statement saying that he was.

[LiveToLurk]

9. If he wasn't vaccinated - he should have stayed home.

If that's truly the case - then there has to be some personal responsibility. The band is pro vax.

[SoCalDavidS]

11. He Has Been Paul's Guitar Tech For Decades

Apparently an exception was made because he was so close to Paul.

And the vast majority of these anti-vaxxers have No Fucking Responsibility. I'm sure the band has brushed it off and moved on, as if nothing happened.

[LiveToLurk]

14. If that's the case the guy should have taken all and any precautions himself:

Should have kept himself masked and distanced as much as he could have. Sounds like he did none of that. Not sure how to blame the band here?

[SoCalDavidS]

15. You're Not Sure How To Blame The Band?

How about they completely ignored the rules they had established to keep the rest of their crew safe?

It comes down to $$$$$$$. They wanted to make some, so they looked the other way. I wonder how many he infected and/or killed through his negligence.

KISS can Fuck Off for all I care. A bunch of right wing Assholes, every one of them, even the former members like Ace Frehley.

[tenderfoot]

7. The roadie was a Trump supporting covid denier

I'm posting a link to his fb page, you do a search and see for yourself.

[LiveToLurk]

10. I guess he stuck it to the libs then.......

Magamorons

[madville]

8. So was the guy vaccinated or not?

It says that all crew were required to vaccinated and show proof, and the anonymous crew members say that some were faking vaccination cards.

Kind of rare that a healthy looking 53 year old would succumb to the virus if they were fully vaccinated.

Ultimately it’s on the individual to take care of themselves, get vaccinated, wear a N95 or better mask, maintain distancing, take a test when symptoms begin, decide to go to the hospital if it worsens.

Article sounds like this guy possibly may not have been vaccinated, didn’t report his symptoms and delayed getting tested, then declined to go to the hospital when others encouraged him to do so.

[liberal_mama]

16. I'm not sure if he was vaccinated or not, but of course I saw someone post on Facebook

that he was fully vaccinated and died because of the vaccine. They always have to have a conspiracy theory.

In my area, most of the vaccinated people who died of Covid are in their 80s, so I doubt he was vaccinated. I haven't heard of too many 52 year olds who were vaccinated and died of Covid. Hopefully they will mention if he had the vaccine because I'm really curious now.