Family of renowned Kansas City jazz performer blames Loews Hotel, others for his death
The family of Ronnie McFadden claims in a new lawsuit that the jazz performer’s death after a February show at a Loews Hotel ballroom in downtown Kansas City was the result of negligence by the venue and the event’s organizers.
McFadden, who played saxophone, sang and tap-danced with his brother Lonnie in the long-running group The McFadden Brothers, died while leaving the stage after a performance held as part of a JPMorgan Chase & Co. conference at the hotel. He was 66.
In a complaint filed last week in Jackson County Circuit Court, Angela McFadden alleges that her late husband slipped on a ramp and landed chest-first on his saxophone, causing him to go into cardiac arrest due to commotio cordis, a heart condition that develops immediately after a sudden, blunt impact to the chest.
Because tap shoes like the ones the McFadden Brothers wear during their performances have limited grip, their contract for the show stipulated a “wood floor surface” for dancing, the lawsuit alleges. But the ramp they were required to use as they left the Loews ballroom stage was steel, with no handrails.
“Alternative surfaces or safety measures, such as a wood surface, a handrail, less pitch on the ramp, or the use of stairs would have been reasonable and safer alternatives,” the lawsuit states. “Without said measures, the ramp was unreasonably dangerous for its known intended use.”
The lawsuit names as defendants Loews, JPMorgan, and three local entities involved in the production of the event: Experience Events Group, Vista Productions and Harvest Productions. None responded to requests from The Star for comment.
“The jazz world lost a legend when Ronnie McFadden was killed, but his wife and daughters lost their husband and father,” Nuru Witherspoon, attorney for the McFadden family, told The Star. “The companies that are responsible for Ronnie McFadden’s death knew or should have known that the McFadden Brothers would be wearing tap shoes, but failed to provide appropriate safety rails or slip-resistant surfaces to prevent this tragedy.”
Angela McFadden, individually and on behalf of her two children, is seeking damages related to McFadden’s funeral and burial expenses; pain and suffering; deprivation of companionship and emotional support; and lost wages and inheritance due to McFadden’s death.
No future court dates have yet been scheduled.
This story was originally published June 6, 2023 at 1:05 PM.
