GHOST To Honor Fallen Fan By Returning To Milwaukee To Finish Concert

September 1, 2018

GHOST will return to Milwaukee on Halloween to honor its fan who passed away this past spring after attending one of the band's shows.

The Swedish metal act's sold-out concert at the Riverside Theater on May 31 came to an abrupt and tragic end when fan Jeff Fortune collapsed at the venue, and died that evening.

For the October 31 show, a special shirt, featuring an illustration of GHOST frontman Cardinal Copia and Fortune wearing Michael Myers costumes from "Halloween", will be sold at the Riverside Theater, with all proceeds being donated to Fortune's family.

The following e-mail was sent out by the Pabst Theater Group to the ticket holders to the May date:

"Dear GHOST fans,

"GHOST will return to the Riverside Theater on October 31 to complete its concert that was cut short earlier this year. The May 31 show was canceled at the close of 'Act I' due to the tragic collapse and subsequent death of GHOST fan Jeff Fortune. Dedicating the October 31 performance to Mr. Fortune and his family and friends, GHOST will perform the hour-long 'Act II' for ticket holders who attended the original date.

"Doors open at 7:00 p.m. with GHOST taking the stage at 8:00 p.m. The show will start a bit early so you may enjoy the previously missed 'Act II' of GHOST's concert and still have plenty of time to go trick-or-treat or party afterwards.

"Exclusively for this performance, GHOST has created a special T-shirt that features the likenesses of Cardinal Copia and Jeffrey Fortune clad in Michael Myers costumes. The T-shirt will be available at the venue's merch tables, with all proceeds going to Mr. Fortune's family.

"We would like to invite you to attend this very special GHOST performance at the Riverside Theater on October 31.

"This performance is for attendees of the May 31 show only. If you would like to attend, you will receive the same ticket location you had for the earlier GHOST performance at no charge. To save your spot, the original ticket buyer must RSVP to the Riverside."

The deadline to RSVP is September 30.

The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office told CBS 58 and Fox6 News that the 52-year-old Fortune had a history of heart problems and died of probable cardiac arrest.

The incident occurred just as the band had announced an intermission at the 2,500-capacity Riverside Theater around 9:15 p.m.

After a man in the pit fell to the ground, security was flagged and CPR was administered for at least 20 minutes. Approximately a half hour later, it was announced that the show was canceled. Staff at the Riverside reportedly told fans the show was cut short because of a "terrible tragedy."

One fan who attended the concert told CBS 58 that the Riverside Theater staff were giving them mixed directions. They also reportedly wouldn't allow a registered nurse in the crowd to come through and give CPR to the man before paramedics arrived.

"The security guards were telling everyone to move one way and then move another way. It was a very stressful situation," the fan said.

The Riverside Theater refused to speak with CBS 58 about how the situation was handled but issued a statement saying they were "saddened by the tragedy" and sent condolences to the family.

GHOST is continuing to tour in support of its new album, "Prequelle", which was released in June.

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