REO Speedwagon And Styx Get Wet

Despite hail, two downpours, thunder and lightning, the REO Speedwagon and Styx concert in Trumbell, Conn., went on as planned – after a few hour-long delays.

Patrons who arrived an hour early to the 7 p.m. concert at Indian Ledge Park were greeted with a downpour and hit with quarter-sized hail. Organizers decided to wait out the storm, according to the Connecticut Post.

“Based on the Doppler [radar system], this storm was passing,” First Selectman Raymond Baldwin Jr. told the paper. He said police, the concert promoter and Department of Public Works officials determined lightning was far enough away to go forward with the concert.

Although Baldwin said the storm began to clear by 6:30 p.m., a steady downpour came crashing down on fans just as REO Speedwagon started its set nearly an hour late.

The band got in only 25 minutes of music before town officials put the concert on hold until thunder and lightning had passed.

Some fans just called it a night but others took shelter under the band shell, in their cars or in school buses stationed in the parking lot.

Baldwin estimated that at least 1,200 of 4,500 ticket holders stuck it out until the concert resumed more than an hour and a half later, according to the Post.

Although some fans told the paper the concert was worth the wait, others were less than pleased.

“I feel very upset,” Jeff Bliven said. “I feel that the town played hard and fast with our lives.”

Baldwin’s staff said they received about a dozen complaints including some requests for refunds. No refunds were given.