A ROCK LEGEND IS TURNING A CONCERT INTO SOMETHING FAR MORE EMOTIONAL 🇺🇸🏍️ — ONE HERO’S INCREDIBLE STORY IS ABOUT TO TAKE CENTER STAGE Fans heading to this year’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally are expecting roaring engines and unforgettable performances—but one special moment is already being described as the most powerful event of the entire festival. Jackyl frontman Jesse James Dupree has revealed plans to honor a longtime friend whose extraordinary actions during one of America’s darkest days continue to inspire people decades later. The emotional tribute will feature a remarkable piece of history that has been carefully preserved and restored, making the celebration unlike anything fans have seen before. As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the story behind this surprise on-stage appearance is touching hearts for all the right reasons. But it’s the unforgettable symbol set to be revealed during the performance that is expected to leave the crowd in complete silence.

On Tuesday (Aug. 4), Jackyl frontman and friend to all rock and roll fans Jesse James Dupree joined Loudwire Nights to help us get ready for the 86th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Listen to the full conversation in the player near the end of this article.

“[It’s] the damndest party ever, bigger than life and twice as much as anywhere, I guarantee it,” Dupree shared with Loudwire Nights‘ Chuck Armstrong (who will be on-site at the Full Throttle Saloon celebrating Sturgis).

Dupree went on to describe the beauty of the Black Hills, where the Full Throttle Saloon is based, and also detailed the lineup of live music set for the rally — from Blackberry Smoke to Rob Zombie and of course, Jackyl.

For Jackyl Night at Full Throttle (Thursday, Aug. 13), Dupree shared some really special details for what fans can expect.

“I’m going to have Tim Duffy onstage with us,” he said.

“Tim Duffy, he was a New York firefighter. He rode his motorcycle home from work, he worked overnights. [On Sept. 11, 2001,] he rode home, he got home and he found out that the [World] Trade Center had been hit. In his fireman’s gear, he jumped on his Harley-Davidson and he rode back into 9/11.”

As Dupree shared the story, Duffy rode his bike into a five-star hotel that had been evacuated. He put it up against the check-in counter in the lobby and started to walk out to go help.

“He looked back at his motorcycle because he thought he may never see it again,” Dupree recalled.

“There was a gentleman that was handling the evacuation, he saw what had happened and the guy went over and jerked these huge velour curtains off of the hotel windows and he covered up Tim’s bike.”

Duffy was buried in the North Tower trying to save people, but was fortunately rescued. This year, to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, he’ll join Dupree onstage at the Full Throttle Saloon to pay tribute to all first responders.

And as if that wasn’t powerful enough, he said Harley-Davidson has been hard at work to honor Duffy.

“[They] got a hold of his motorcycle and completely rebuilt it and we’re going to have it onstage with us. We’re going to share with everybody and celebrate Tim and the hero that he is. It’s an emotional thing for me because I love the guy. He’s done so much.”