Goose ‘wobbles’ after dad Paul Kueker dies at Madison Square Garden concert – pays tribute in Central Park
Connecticut jam group Goose has learned that a married father of two has died at their Madison Square Garden concert after the band “went off stage.”
Paul Kueker, 51, fell 150 meters to his death from the Chase Bridge just before 10pm on Saturday as Goose made his second of two nights on the World’s Most Famous Place.
“We are all shocked following the events of last night’s show,” the band said on Instagram on Sunday evening – shortly before they played a sold-out gig at Central Park’s SummerStage.
“Getting off stage to hear the news was devastating for us and our staff, and we can’t imagine how some of you left the show last night.”
Kueker, director of operations at energy management company Smartcon Solutions, attended the show with his wife, Kristen, to celebrate their 25th anniversary, according to the New York Daily News.
Officers found Kueker “unconscious and unresponsive” after he fell from “an elevated position” inside Madison Square Garden, the NYPD told The Post. He was then taken to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Kueker, of Niantic, Conn., fell to the third level at Madison Square Garden while going to use the bathroom, his mother Patricia Finelli told the outlet.
Finelli remembered his son as “the biggest kid in the world.”
“He would give you the shirt off his back,” he told The Post. “He has two children, a beautiful wife, and he took care of me like I was a piece of gold.”
Workers at the site cut and removed at least seven lines from the basement where the incident occurred, according to fan photos shared on social media.
The Goose – consisting of Rick Mitarotonda, Trevor Weeks, Peter Anspach, and Cotter Ellis – began their show in Central Park with a 15-second moment of silence for Kueker.
“I want to take a moment to talk about some of the tragic events that happened on last night’s show and to express our condolences to Paul, his family, his friends and everyone who was affected by what happened,” said Anspach.
“In times like these, you realize life is so fragile and we’re so lucky to have an amazing community around us. Everyone, if you’re struggling with something, please don’t be afraid to reach out to someone in your life or send us a message. Please. We have to help each other. That’s why we’re here. People are meant to talk and be with people.”
The group said it was considering whether to play a concert after Kueker’s death.
“We considered whether or not to play and came to the decision that the best thing we can do right now is to bring our community together, lean on each other, and provide space for healing,” Goose said in a statement earlier on social media. “Let’s treat each other well tonight and remember our friend.”
Goose has announced that it is working with grief counselors and licensed therapists to hold online therapy sessions for fans affected by the tragedy.
