The Who concert tragedy 40 years ago: Stampede kills 11 persons at Coliseum rock concert – The Cincinnati Enquirer

December 3, 2019

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Editor’s note: On the 40th anniversary of the Who concert tragedy, we present the original news coverage from The Cincinnati Enquirer on Dec. 4, 1979.

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Eleven people were killed and eight seriously injured at Riverfront Coliseum Monday night in a human stampede through the arena’s doors before the start of The Who rock group concert.

The Hamilton County Coroner’s office said the dead included seven males and four females. A coroner’s spokesman said the ages of the victims ranged from 18 to the early 20s.

A team of clergymen accompanied parents of victims through the Hamilton County morgue late Monday night. Identity of the victims was to be released sometime today.

The total number injured had not been determined late Monday.

At a press conference at District One police headquarters, Lt. Dale Menkhaus said two few doors were opened too late to handle the sellout crowd.

“We needed to get the doors open much earlier,” Menkhaus said.

Ray Schuerman, an usher at the main gate, said the trouble appeared to start when someone threw a bottle at the gate and broke the door’s glass.

“The kids kept breaking the gate more and more. I just couldn’t stop them. They rushed the gate.”

Mark Shoner, general manager of Cincinnati Ticketron, would not disclose how many tickets were sold for the concert, adding those figures would have to come from Coliseum officials. “We weren’t over capacity or anything like that,” said Shoner.

Coliseum officials would not comment on which doors were opened and when.

The concert promoters, Electric Factory Concerts, based in Philadelphia, declined comment. A spokesman for The Who said the group has a booking in Buffalo today.

Flowers for a friend: Mary Beth Warmoth, sister of Jim Warmoth, 4566 S. Dixie Hwy., Franklin Twp., Ohio, who died in the human stampede at Monday, Dec. 3 1979 before a rock concert by The Who.
Tennis shoes, shirts, jackets and other personal belongings, dropped in the stampede on the arena doors, were swept into a pile inside the empty coliseum lobby.
Dec. 3, 1979, held out the sweet promise of a good time. The Who were in town for a sold-out concert at Riverfront Coliseum. It was festival-seating, first-come, first-served. During the sunny but chilly afternoon, concertgoers gathered on the Coliseum plaza.
The coliseum plaza was cleared of fans but left strewn with dirty tennis shoes, torn clothing, broken beer bottles and smashed beer cans after the incident.
In this Dec. 4, 1980 file photo, Jay Kircher (left) and Sue Collins console each other during a memorial service at Fountain Square on the one-year anniversary of the Who concert where 11 concertgoers were killed in a crush of people.
In this Dec. 3 1979 file photo, a ticket taker stares toward the doors of Riverfront Coliseum as a glove and a shoe, ripped from concert goers as they jammed into the facility, lay in mute testimony to the tragedy that occurred minutes earlier. Eleven people were crushed in a crowd gathered on the plaza of the facility waiting for the Who to perform inside.
From a Sunday December 28, 1980 article: Last year's Dec. 3, 1979 Who concert resluted in the death of 11 people at Riverfront Coliseum, as a result of an open-seating policy, late opening of the doors, and the general crush to get inside the coliseum.
Fans crowd around the stage as The Who performed Monday, Dec. 3, 1979, at Riverfront Coliseum after 11 people died in the crush of the crowd outside the coliseum.
Mike Niehaus, 17, left, and Sally Rigby, 17, friends of three people killed Dec. 3, 1979, at the coliseum, sort their makeshift signs of protest before joining about 30 Finneytown friends in a candlelight a day later. One marcher's sign read: "What could replace 11 lives?"
Lisa Bick, 18, Finneytown, shields the flame of her candle from the wind as she and a number of other youths hold a memorial service on Fountain Square Tuesday, Dec, 4, 1979. The group, which marched from the coliseum to the square, had three friends among the 11 who died when the crowd stampeded at the entrance to the coliseum.
Arm-in-arm, friends of three Finneytown youths who died in the stampede at the Riverfront Coliseum rock concert Monday, Dec. 3, 1979, march from the coliseum plaza to Downtown Fountain Square Tuesday, Dec, 3, 1979.
Jerry Havlin of White Oak, testifies before Cincinnati City Council committee on the crush of concertgoers outside the arena that took 11 lives. The battle for survival outside the arena's doors was "a living hell," he said. Council members, from left, are Gerald N. Springer, Bobbie Sterne and Guy C. Guckenberger.
During a Dec. 3, 1979 Who concert at Riverfront Coliseum 11 people died during a stampede.
Connie Burns, 18, of Miamisburg, was one of the 11 concertgoers who died in the crowd preparing to enter Riverfront Coliseum for The Who concert on Dec. 3, 1979.
Jacqueline Eckerle, 15, of Finneytown, was one of the 11 concertgoers who died in the crowd preparing to enter Riverfront Coliseum for The Who concert on Dec. 3, 1979.
Bryan Wagner, 17, of Fort Thomas. Ky., was one of the 11 concertgoers who died in the crowd preparing to enter Riverfront Coliseum for The Who concert on Dec. 3, 1979.
Pictured here is Stephen M. Preston, who tragically lost his life on the night of Dec. 3, 1979 while waiting to enter the Riverfront Coliseum to see The Who. In all, there were eight injured and 11 dead--three were Finneytown High School Students.
Pictured here is Karen L. Morrison, who tragically lost her life on the night of Dec. 3, 1979 while waiting to enter the Riverfront Coliseum to see The Who.
Walter Adams, Jr. from Trotwood, Ohio, was one of the 11 concertgoers who died in the crowd preparing to enter Riverfront Coliseum for The Who concert on Dec. 3, 1979.
James Warmoth, 21, from Franklin, Ohio, was one of the 11 concertgoers who died in the crowd preparing to enter Riverfront Coliseum for The Who concert on Dec. 3, 1979.
David Heck, 19, of Highland Heights, Ky., was one of the 11 concertgoers who died in the crowd preparing to enter Riverfront Coliseum for The Who concert on Dec. 3, 1979.
The Ladd family in 1979 (from left): Michael Ladd, Teva Ladd, Kasey Ladd and Kristine Ladd. Teva Ladd died at the Who concert.

Replay

  • Flowers for a friend: Mary Beth Warmoth, sister of Jim Warmoth, 4566 S. Dixie Hwy., Franklin Twp., Ohio, who died in the human stampede at Monday, Dec. 3 1979 before a rock concert by The Who.1 of 22
  • Tennis shoes, shirts, jackets and other personal belongings, dropped in the stampede on the arena doors, were swept into a pile inside the empty coliseum lobby.2 of 22
  • Dec. 3, 1979, held out the sweet promise of a good time. The Who were in town for a sold-out concert at Riverfront Coliseum. It was festival-seating, first-come, first-served. During the sunny but chilly afternoon, concertgoers gathered on the Coliseum plaza.3 of 22
  • The coliseum plaza was cleared of fans but left strewn with dirty tennis shoes, torn clothing, broken beer bottles and smashed beer cans after the incident.4 of 22
  • In this Dec. 4, 1980 file photo, Jay Kircher (left) and Sue Collins console each other during a memorial service at Fountain Square on the one-year anniversary of the Who concert where 11 concertgoers were killed in a crush of people.5 of 22
  • In this Dec. 3 1979 file photo, a ticket taker stares toward the doors of Riverfront Coliseum as a glove and a shoe, ripped from concert goers as they jammed into the facility, lay in mute testimony to the tragedy that occurred minutes earlier. Eleven people were crushed in a crowd gathered on the plaza of the facility waiting for the Who to perform inside.6 of 22
  • From a Sunday December 28, 1980 article: Last year's Dec. 3, 1979 Who concert resluted in the death of 11 people at Riverfront Coliseum, as a result of an open-seating policy, late opening of the doors, and the general crush to get inside the coliseum.7 of 22
  • Fans crowd around the stage as The Who performed Monday, Dec. 3, 1979, at Riverfront Coliseum after 11 people died in the crush of the crowd outside the coliseum.8 of 22
  • Mike Niehaus, 17, left, and Sally Rigby, 17, friends of three people killed Dec. 3, 1979, at the coliseum, sort their makeshift signs of protest before joining about 30 Finneytown friends in a candlelight a day later. One marcher's sign read: "What could replace 11 lives?"9 of 22
  • Lisa Bick, 18, Finneytown, shields the flame of her candle from the wind as she and a number of other youths hold a memorial service on Fountain Square Tuesday, Dec, 4, 1979. The group, which marched from the coliseum to the square, had three friends among the 11 who died when the crowd stampeded at the entrance to the coliseum.10 of 22
  • Arm-in-arm, friends of three Finneytown youths who died in the stampede at the Riverfront Coliseum rock concert Monday, Dec. 3, 1979, march from the coliseum plaza to Downtown Fountain Square Tuesday, Dec, 3, 1979.11 of 22
  • Jerry Havlin of White Oak, testifies before Cincinnati City Council committee on the crush of concertgoers outside the arena that took 11 lives. The battle for survival outside the arena's doors was "a living hell," he said. Council members, from left, are Gerald N. Springer, Bobbie Sterne and Guy C. Guckenberger.12 of 22
  • During a Dec. 3, 1979 Who concert at Riverfront Coliseum 11 people died during a stampede.13 of 22
  • Connie Burns, 18, of Miamisburg, was one of the 11 concertgoers who died in the crowd preparing to enter Riverfront Coliseum for The Who concert on Dec. 3, 1979.14 of 22
  • Jacqueline Eckerle, 15, of Finneytown, was one of the 11 concertgoers who died in the crowd preparing to enter Riverfront Coliseum for The Who concert on Dec. 3, 1979.15 of 22
  • Bryan Wagner, 17, of Fort Thomas. Ky., was one of the 11 concertgoers who died in the crowd preparing to enter Riverfront Coliseum for The Who concert on Dec. 3, 1979.16 of 22
  • Pictured here is Stephen M. Preston, who tragically lost his life on the night of Dec. 3, 1979 while waiting to enter the Riverfront Coliseum to see The Who. In all, there were eight injured and 11 dead--three were Finneytown High School Students.17 of 22
  • Pictured here is Karen L. Morrison, who tragically lost her life on the night of Dec. 3, 1979 while waiting to enter the Riverfront Coliseum to see The Who.18 of 22
  • Walter Adams, Jr. from Trotwood, Ohio, was one of the 11 concertgoers who died in the crowd preparing to enter Riverfront Coliseum for The Who concert on Dec. 3, 1979.19 of 22
  • James Warmoth, 21, from Franklin, Ohio, was one of the 11 concertgoers who died in the crowd preparing to enter Riverfront Coliseum for The Who concert on Dec. 3, 1979.20 of 22
  • David Heck, 19, of Highland Heights, Ky., was one of the 11 concertgoers who died in the crowd preparing to enter Riverfront Coliseum for The Who concert on Dec. 3, 1979.21 of 22
  • The Ladd family in 1979 (from left): Michael Ladd, Teva Ladd, Kasey Ladd and Kristine Ladd. Teva Ladd died at the Who concert.22 of 22

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Police Officer Dave Grawe said the rush occurred between 7:30-8 p.m. Seats at the concert were both reserved and open, police and concertgoers said. The crowd began growing at 3 p.m., police said, nearly four hours before the gates were opened. The Coliseum holds 18,000 for concert events.

“The crowd must have jammed the people up so tightly in front that they just passed out. They didn’t even fall down. They must have jammed up so tight that they didn’t get any air and just died.”

Cincinnati Safety Director Richard Castellini, who responded to the coliseum, said “apparently there was such a large swell in the crowd that there were some young people who got caught up in the swell and were suffocated or got trampled.”

Castellini said he considered canceling the concert because he thought the problem was inside as well as outside the coliseum; however, he decided against that when he learned the problem was outside.

Concertgoers inside apparently were unaware of the tragedy that had unfolded just outside the main gates, where the entrance was strewn with broken glass, hats, gloves, coats and beer cans.

The doors are located on the west side of the coliseum on the plaza level.

A witness, Isy D’Agostino, a Dayton, Ohio, nurse, said, “For some odd reason people were compressed completely (near the coliseum doors). Some made it, some didn’t. Several died with two or three minutes. The whole occurrence took no more than 40 minutes. It’s a real sad way to go.”

Police Officer Walter Bruce, who was at the coliseum, said the victims “were probably stepped on and fell down; people just fell down. I don’t know if they had been moved from where they fell, but most were away from the door.”

Bruce said he saw several bodies. He said the bodies were probably found only after the crowd passed over them.

Victims were taken to General, Mercy, Deaconess and Good Samaritan Hospitals.

Three of those injured and listed in fair condition at Good Samaritan Hospital were identified as Todd Volkman, 18, Quailwood, Loveland; Diane Cubert, 20, 3828 Lory Dr., Erlanger, Ky.; and Shawna Abbott, 20, 6584 Newbridge, White Oak.

The injured taken to Christ Hospital were William Taylor, Hamilton, Ohio, multiple abrasions; Terry Thomas, Centerville, Ohio, injured left foot; and Timothy Deal, Columbus, injured right hand.

Treated at General Hospital were John Watts and Shane Renkel, both of Dayton, Ohio, and Cathy Calhoun, Cincinnati.

Dr. Alexander Trott, emergency room supervisor at General, said the victims died of multiple contusions and hemorrhages. He said there was “some evidence of footprint-like injuries.”

District One police, meanwhile, sought to discourage worried parents from going to the coliseum. “There’s nothing you can do,” one officer was overheard telling a parent. “Just wait up and see if they come home. That’s all you can do.”

One of the callers included a police sergeant seeking to learn if his daughter were safe.

The Who last appeared in Cincinnati at a concert in the coliseum in December of 1975.

Witnesses said that only one door at the main gate was opened shortly before the concert, and the crowd, estimated in the thousands, rushed forward.

One concertgoer, John Limoli, 35, Fairborn, Ohio, said: “Why did they open one door at a time when there were thousands of people out there?”

Cindy Sash, 25, Kettering, said the concert was oversold. “If you look at it, you can see there were more tickets sold than there were seats available.”

Sash said she was in the crowd when it rushed the main gate. She said she was knocked down. “If I hadn’t been pulled up I would have been killed, too.”

But Glenn Rose, an usher, said: “They always crash the gates. This concert isn’t any different than any other.”

The Cincinnati Enquirer, Dec. 4, 1979, front page by CincinnatiEnquirer on Scribd

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