UPDATED: Betty Blowtorch's Bianca Butthole Dies In Car Crash
By
Frank Meyer,
Contributing Editor
Saturday, December 15, 2001 @ 2:59 PM
Betty Blowtorch Leader Bianca
Bianca Halstead (a.k.a Bianca Butthole), bassist/singer for Hollywood hard rockers Betty Blowtorch was killed around 5:30am Saturday morning in a car accident in New Orleans. The driver of the car was William McAllister, who, according to witness accounts, claimed throughout the night to be a "correspondent" for Metal Sludge.com.
According to Chris Lee from the New Orleans band Supagroup, who was with Bianca up until she left with McAllister, McAllister and Bianca left the El Matador Lounge near on Decatur Street after a night of post-gig partying with tourmates Nashville Pussy following their gig at the Howlin' Wolf. “Thbey were driving on the I10 toward Kinner in a ’86 Corvette when McAllister lost control of the wheel and the car spun around. They were sideswiped by another car on Bianca’s side and she was killed instantly. Witnesses estimated McAllister's speed at more than 100 mph, and he apparently had been drinking, said Trooper Todd Marchand. According to Associated Press, the wreck began when McAllister was changing lanes and sideswiped another car. McAllister's car then went out of control, skipping across a grassy median and into oncoming traffic. McAllister is being held by New Orleans police and is facing criminal charges. The two passengers in the other car have been hospitalized.” According to police, the other car -- which was driven by Robert Fenkel, 50, of Colorado Springs, CO -- broadsided the Corvette, nearly shearing it in half. Fenkel had to hospitalized but his injuries were not described as life threatening. Jacquelyn Hampton, 35, of Kenner, was driving the first car McAllister hit, but was not injured. It should be noted that while both the police and KNAC.COM sources claim McAllister was inebriated, Bianca herself has been sober for 10 years.
According to Lee, the members of Supagroup had dinner with Bianca earlier that evening, closed out the El Matador with a late night of socializing, stopped by another bar for a minute, and then everyone went their separate ways, with McAllister offering Bianca a ride home.
Throughout the dinner earlier that evening, Bianca told Lee about her troubles with her former bandmates Judy Molish and Sharon Needles, who had left the group in the middle of the Nashville Pussy tour, taking their van and gear with them. According to Bianca, when the duo returned to L.A. they instigated legal action, informing Bianca of a Cease and Desist order that would prevent her from carrying on with the name after their dates with Nashville Pussy, which was to wind down after some Texas shows next week. “She was really bummed about all that stuff," says Lee. Despite all the drama, Bianca's ceaseless enthusiasm for rocking is evidenced by the fact that she and BB guitarist Blare were fulfilling the scheduled dates opening for Nashville Pussy despite the mid-tour departure of Judy and Sharon.
Bianca played in the band Butt Trumpet in the '80s before forming Betty Blowtorch in the late-‘90s. The band released their full-length debut, Are You Man Enough?, early this year through Foodchain Records. Bianca was a hard rocker, a strong woman, and about as nice as they come in the world of rock n’ rollers. She was also a longtime friend of this writer and I can assure you she will be missed dearly all.
We at KNAC.COM send our warmest condolences to Bianca's family, friends and bandmates.
kevinator63 - 8/2/2008 10:23:40 PM R I P Bianca...you rocked the world, and you won't be forgotten...
Lyfapch - 4/28/2006 3:44:33 PM A lesson to all that drink and drive.
IndiaInk - 8/24/2005 8:24:51 PM You know what? Fuck you condescending fucks who keep saying that Bianca should have asked if this asshole who got her killed was drinking! FUCK YOU! Stop minimizing the fact that it was HIS actions that got her killed! Being sober for 18 years I can tell you that I don't ask everybody I get into the fucking car with if they've been drinking, so GO TO HELL Lyndia whatever the fuck your name is. I hope you and your friend rot in hell.
LyndiaIN - 2/19/2004 7:28:29 AM I know it's been over 2 years since Bianca's death, but I just found this message board yesterday. I am a friend of Brian McAllister's. While I don't believe in drinking and driving, and I am not posting here to condone Brian's actions, I think everyone needs to slow down and stop demanding Brian's head on a platter. The car accident that resulted in Bianca's death was just that, an accident. Brian did not intentionally set out to kill her. Yes he was acting irresponsibly by drinking and then getting into a car, yes he was acting irresponsibly by driving too fast, but this was not a pre-meditated murder. It was an accident. I have read several articles about Bianca since this happened and they seem to always mention what a great person she was, clean and sober and always willing to help those in their recovery program. I commend and applaud her for that. But as someone recovering from dinking and/or drugs, when Brian offered the ride, the first question should have been "have you been drinking." If she was partying with him, she should have known he'd been drinking, and being a responsible 36 yr old adult, she should have said no thank you to his offer and taken a cab or had someone who had not been drinking give her a ride. Wouldn't it be great if life wasn't full of should've's, would've's, could've's? The plain and simple fact is we are all human, Brian and Bianca included. Almost everyone of legal drinking age who imbibes has, at one time or another, driven when they shouldn't have. The people screaming for justice and wishing ill toward Brian has probably even done so since they've posted to this site. It's funny how our convictions aren't quite as strong once we've had a beer or two. We've all made mistakes, but luckily most of the time those mistakes ended in no one getting hurt. This time Brian's luck ran out. So before you start throwing stones and before you light the torches, stop and think. Try to show some understanding and compassion. Yes, Brian made a mistake and drove after drinking. Yes, he was driving too fast. Yes, his judgement wasn't good. Yes, Bianca got into the car with him. Yes, she should have asked if he'd been drinking. Yes, she should have declined the ride. Again with the should've, could've, would've. There are no innocents in this tragedy. No one has emerged unscathed. There are physical, emotional and mental hurts for a lot of people. It's always a good idea to try to look at all sides, not just the one you're on. Brian is paying and will continue to pay for his mistakes. Many of you may feel he received a "bargain basement price", but he is paying nonetheless. He is a long way from his family (he has a young daughter, by the way ) his friends (those that have stuck by him) and he has lost his freedom. He may be released from behind bars sooner than you'd like, but he'll never be released from the bars his own guilt has formed. Bianca is at peace. Brian will never know peace. He has to live with this the rest of his life. Every time he hears the name Bianca, every Dec. 15, everytime he sees a Corvette or hears about Mardi Gras in New Orleans, he'll relive what happened. Now if that's not a lifetime prison sentence, I don't know what it. Now, if you'll excuse I must go catch the mailman to take a letter to my friend Brian. Blessed be.
HushDarling - 2/18/2004 11:37:43 PM "And I hope that worthless fuck that was driving her gets beat like a redheaded stepchild in his 20 plus years in prison. To think that she stayed strong and sober for a decade, only to get killed by some dumbshit that wanted to drink and drive way too fucking fast, is just mind blowing. If there was any justice, HE would have died and she would have lived to touch even more people with her beautifulness."
After I post this I have to stop reading all this crap...a large part of Bri did DIE that night. Since you do not know him how do you not know that he isn't a beautiful wonderful amazing person...just like Bianca was? Bianca CHOSE to get in the car with Brian...he did NOT force her to go with him. He was not driving 150 MPH or more. It is a miracle that he is still alive...which I am extremely thankful for. He is my heart and soul...and to read all these lies and badmouthing of him rips my heart out. He wakes up in cold sweats EVERY night because of the accident...he relives it EVERY night. He is serving his time. All these lies...and the words of how he should have died...do you not have any sympathy. You act as if Bri was not injured in this accident. He was. Unfortunately he was not famous like Bianca so his injuries were not reported to the public for the most part. Infact, it was stated that he was immediately taken into police custody which is an impossibility since he fell into a coma for four weeks. If Brian could change what happened he would. If he could change positions with Bianca he would. As I have said before -- he is a sweet and loving man who couldn't harm a fly. AND - for the record, the last beer he drank, the one that put him only .01 UNDER the legal limit, was bought for him by Bianca. Again, check the court records. She knew he had been drinking when she got in the car with him. She knew the risks. It does not excuse Brian but two people are at fault here. Melissa
HushDarling - 2/18/2004 11:23:32 PM If I hear one more time that Brian was NOT associated with Metal Sludge I am going to scream. I cannot WAIT for Bri to be released so the world, or at least the fans of Bianca AND Metal Sludge know the truth.
Melissa
HushDarling - 2/18/2004 11:06:51 PM "Why did he offer her a ride if he was wasted? Why did she get into a car with a drunk? Oh no it's so sad." Another sad aspect in this report...that was NEVER corrected. Brian was NOT wasted nor was he a drunk (or ever has been). Truth be told (take a look at the court papers) Brian was UNDER the legal limit for driving drunk but since a death was involved and he was only .01 below the law was allowed to charge him with being drunk. It was an accident -- plain and simple. And yes, Brian is indeed carrying a very heavy burden. No one was in that car with Brian and Bianca that night...no one BUT Brian saw her die. He has to live with this in his nightmares EVERY day. I am not excusing his actions...I do not condone drinking and driving even if you have only had ONE beer...I am simply trying to put some perspective on this man you all hate. Melissa
HushDarling - 2/18/2004 10:59:36 PM "McAllister is being held by New Orleans police and is facing criminal charges." This is a FALSE statement. I know this was reported almost immediately after the crash but I have also noticed that it has never been corrected. Being a dear friend of Brian's I know for a fact that he was immediately transported to the hospital where he spent 4 weeks in a coma...he had to relearn to walk, to use his arms, and speak. When he his released from prison he will have to continue with physical therapy because his back is ruined for life. This man literally was black and blue everywhere when he was hospitalized and friends/family were told he was not going to make it. I know a lot of you wish he hadn't. Let me tell you a little something about Bri...he is one of the sweetest, most loyal, honest, dependable, loving people you will ever know and he would NEVER hurt anyone purposely. NEVER. He won't even kill spiders for me. This is a man who has to forever live with this tragedy through nightmares of this auto accident. To have to read and listen to people remark about how he should die as well and the "lies" he told only bring him down more. I put "lies" in quotations because Bri is not the one that has been doing the lying in this situation. When he is released a lot of people are going to be shocked to find out the truth about him and Metal Sludge, among other things. The fact that Metal Sludge wrote him off and began backstabbing him as soon as the accident happened tells people what they are truly like. But...I won't go on about them. I just want people to know that Bri is truly a wonderful man and will personally never forgive himself for the tragedy that happened. Just remember that it could have been ANY of us. Just remember that. It might put things into better perspective for all those out there with "Fry Brian" banners.
Melissa
Murderdoll187 - 11/29/2003 5:20:00 PM Thats awful she that she died, she was a great singer
superxmaggot13 - 12/9/2002 3:42:21 PM I am looking for timi james beitler.I got his cd from his super x days and it has changed my life.
booboo13 - 4/4/2002 8:10:47 AM I recently discovered Betty Blowtorch while I was in a music store in Santa Monica and saw a cover article on them and the mag literally jump out at me to read. I feel in love with this band moments later and bought there CD. I was really looking forward to catching one of their live shows because these chicks could rock hard. I'm really saddened about the news of Bianca's death. I know she's in a better place than all of us. Rock On Bianca because your music will forever.
jezabel_13 - 4/3/2002 9:44:01 PM At 16, I wanted to be her. At 17, I would of given anything to be in the band. Bianca was a pure form of unbridled bad ass-ness. She made rock'n roll look good. Thank you Bianca, for the music & all the shows. You are missed.
ultrawirt - 3/26/2002 4:50:48 PM This message is for Cyndi aka.rhiannon692003....hey, this is really strange but I just happened to go online and find your posting here, and I noticed it was today. It's weird because I haven't been to this section of KNAC since December.....anyway, please get in touch with me at ultrawirt@yahoo.com because I want to talk to you about Bianca, and also to be there for you if your having a bad day..... : ) So please, please please write me!!! Maybe we can meet up on Yahoo Instant Message....smile! Jim W.
Bianca Halstead (a.k.a Bianca Butthole), bassist/singer for Hollywood hard rockers Betty Blowtorch was killed around 5:30am Saturday morning in a car accident in New Orleans. The driver of the car was William McAllister, who, according to witness accounts, claimed throughout the night to be a "correspondent" for Metal Sludge.com.
