PEARL JAM - VENICE ROCK FESTIVAL SCRAPPED AFTER STORMS

Rock acts PEARL JAM, AEROSMITH, IRON MAIDEN and the SMASHING PUMPKINS have seen their festival slots in Italy scrapped this weekend (16-17Jun07) after storms ravaged the site. As many as 20 people were injured in the bad weather which hit Venice on Friday (15Jun07), forcing organisers to call off the Heineken Jammin' Festival for health and safety reasons. The freak storm brought down metal towers, giant speakers and lights at the musical extravaganza, as well as trees in the surrounding park. In a statement Pearl Jam - one of the bands whose gig was cancelled - said, "We're told that there are no critical injuries and for that we are grateful. Our hearts and thoughts are with all of you in Venice."