Short Story

Montreux

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Our gracious host, Rochelle, encourages us
to be creative by writing a story in 100 words
or less using the photo prompt below. This is
Friday Fictioneers and here’s where the photo took me.

Photo Prompt © Marie Gail Stratford

“Dude, check it out.”

“No way, man. Where’d you get that?”

“Found it on my old man’s boat. He had like a dozen of ‘em. He’ll never miss it.”

“You gonna shoot that thing off  here, man?”

“Yeah. Why the fuck not? It’ll be freakin’ far out!”

“I don’t know, man. You really think that’s a good idea?”

“Come on, dude! It’s a Mothers concert. Think of it as elevating the light show to a whole new level.”

“Yeah, maybe, but I still think it’s a stupid idea, man.”

“Dude, it’s a freakin’ flare gun. What could possibly go wrong?”

NAR©2025
100 Words

Nancy’s Notes: The fire at the Montreux Casino in 1971 was started by an audience member who fired a flare gun into the ceiling during a Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention concert. The flare ignited the rattan-covered ceiling, leading to the destruction of the casino. However, thanks to the quick arrival of fire trucks and Frank Zappa’s instructions for people to remain calm and proceed to the exits, order was maintained; there were no deaths or serious injuries. The person with the flare fun was never found.

This is “Smoke On The Water” by Deep Purple

1 August 2025

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy’s Notes 🖊️🎶, The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, The Rhythm Section, et al., and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

60 thoughts on “Montreux”

  9. I knew about the Montreux fire and the song, but I didn’t know that an idiot with a flare gun caused it. Great dialogue, the idiocy is so well captured.

    Can’t see the vid either, it’s probably only allowed where you live. But I know and love the song.

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  11. I think you got the conversation down pat. I can hear it. I can also hear the dude later that night after the fire, “dude- like how the fuck was I supposed to know the ceiling was made of some kind of palm branch shit?” Hehehe…..

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    1. No doubt, every bass players dream riff!

      It’s really astounding that this jackass caused so much damage and disruption in peoples lives and is now infamous around the world! I wonder if this arsonist (let’s be honest) is still alive and what goes on in his head every time he hears this song. It isn’t exactly the kind of thing one can freely brag about to a bartender or girlfriend. What an incredible story!

      Thanks, Lisa.

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    1. Thanks very much, Ange. The fire at Montreux is an incident that has piqued my interest since it happened. The fact that it remains an unsolved case makes it even more fascinating. As soon as I saw the image, I knew this was what I had to do; besides, any excuse to play this legendary song! Truly appreciate your comments, Ange. Thanks!

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  16. As soon as the words “what could go wrong” are uttered, disaster is sure to strike. What a moron!!

    Thankfully, as you explained, no one was hurt. I truly am amazed at the stupidity of people.

    Wonderful write!

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    1. Thanks, Rochelle. Clive said my title was a ‘giveaway’ …. only if the reader is familiar with the events behind the story. Obviously, there are people who don’t know the story. It’s an intriguing one and I am delighted to share it with you.

      Shalom

      🕊️

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  21. Your title was a giveaway! Great story, and there could only be one tune for it. Sadly, your video isn’t available here, but this one is:

    I’ve heard it a few times before, though 😉

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      1. I’m pleased you’ve enlightened Rochelle! The song tells the story well.

        That’s copyright for you! At least there is now a version in the comments which works here 🤣

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  24. Great song, tragic event. In 1969, my best buddy and I went to Europe with backpacks, hoping to see what we could on $500.00 each, money made from playing in our rock band. We were in Luxembourg for a few days, and met up with some other travelers from OK City and Kansas City. Wandering down to the square one night, we heard this incredible music, so we headed that way. A few hundred folks were sitting on the ground listening to a band called Deep Purple do a whole show. I didn’t know much about them at that time, but I knew they would be big time soon. The young folks in Europe don’t get too excited about music or anything else. No one clapped, yelled, or even held up a BIC lighter. My friend and I felt like idiots because we did. We found Europe to be a bummer, so we cut our adventure short and headed back to the good old USA.

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    1. There’s no place like home, eh Phil? I agree! Deep Purple has been on my list of top favorite groups since the beginning. You had a very rare opportunity to see them before they made it big; Bill and I saw them shortly after that. Seeing them in concert was an incredible experience for us, one I still remember clearly. Thanks for a great comment today.

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