A preliminary report was issued by police investigators to Frank Jensen, Danish Minister Of Justice, on July 17.

In it, Roskilde Deputy Chief Constable Bent Rungstrom said, “We have spoken to numerous witnesses who have told us that Pearl Jam are well known for almost appealing for violent behavior.”

Pearl Jam?

The report also blamed “crowd-surfing” and claimed that it is a phenomenon closely affiliated with Pearl Jam shows.

The report, for which 280 witnesses were interviewed, concludes that Pearl Jam is “morally responsible” for the nine deaths.

Curtis quickly responded to the police accusation.

“Pearl Jam are well known for their exciting live shows, but they have never, in their 10-year history of performing, ‘appealed for violent behavior.’

“Further, while ‘crowd surfing’ is an audience ‘phenomenon’ closely connected with many rock bands who are currently performing, it is not one that is encouraged by Pearl Jam.”

A report posted on the band’s Sonymusic.com Web page quoted an unnamed police spokesman as saying, “Whipping a crowd into a frenzy is appalling under conditions like those at the festival, where the ground was slippery and visibility was poor due to vapor in the air from many thousand people sweating.”

Curtis replied, “As the band’s manager, I find it hard to believe that after all that has transpired, the band’s devastation over the tragedies that occurred at the Roskilde Festival during their performance, and their long history of attention to fan safety, that anyone would assign ‘moral responsibility’ to them. That, I find ‘appalling’ and ludicrous.

“Pearl Jam has always, and will continue, to do everything possible to ensure that their shows, and shows they are a part of, are safe and enjoyable for those who attend,” Curtis concluded.