Ty Longley
Ty Christopher Longley (September 4, 1971 – February 20, 2003) was an American guitarist. He was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Brookfield High School in Brookfield, Ohio. He joined the band Great White in 2000, played in Samantha 7, The Bullet Boys, and played in Nick Menza's solo project. Longley also did session work for many artists, including Nancy Sinatra and performed uncredited on many works of music.
Ty Longley | |
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![]() Memorial plaque of Longley located in the Station Fire Memorial Park in West Warwick, Rhode Island | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Ty Christopher Longley |
Born | Sharon, Pennsylvania, U.S. | September 4, 1971
Died | February 20, 2003 31) West Warwick, Rhode Island, U.S. | (aged
Genres | |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instrument(s) | Guitar |
Formerly of |
Death
Longley died in The Station nightclub fire on February 20, 2003, which claimed a total of 100 lives; he is reported to have aided at least 3 survivors. Rumors of Longley exiting and returning to retrieve his guitar have been proven untrue. In photographs and video footage Ty Longley never leaves his guitar or exits with his band mates. Longley instead exits the stage and moves through the crowd with his guitar that he used to break out windows and help concertgoers out of the building. [Citation needed] When the fire started, Longley was performing with the band Great White; he was the only band member to lose his life in the fire. Ty Longley is survived by Heidi Longley, who was three months pregnant with Ty’s only child.[1] Their son Acey Ty Christopher Longley was born in the summer of 2003.[2][3] Acey is also a musician, and runs a charity called B.E.A.T.S. (Bringing Everyone A Tremendous Smile) for children in his father's memory.[4]
References
- "The Great White Nightclub Fire: Ten Years Later". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
- Grossberg, Josh (February 24, 2003). "Great White Guitarist Declared Dead". E! Online.
- Mervis, Scott (March 25, 2005). "After the fire: Great White, survivors live with the horror of Rhode Island tragedy". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- "Son of Great White guitarist cheers sick children to honor his dad".