The 6th Annual Rock Against MS Benefit Concert and Award show, held at the Historic Los Angeles Theatre on Saturday, March 31st.
MS – “Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and the optic nerves. It is thought to be an immune-mediated disorder, in which the immune system incorrectly attacks healthy tissue in the CNS.
MS can cause many symptoms, including blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis, and blindness and more. These problems may come and go persist and worsen over time”.
Nancy B. Sayle was a successful rock and roll publicists, working with well knows artists before she had the world pulled out from underneath her. In 2012 Nancy was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. This didn’t stop this remarkable woman, as she has taken her everyday struggle to help others in need due to this horrific disease, raising money to build the first of many MS resource centers called “The Rock House.”
The evening began at the historic Los Angeles Theatre, fittingly so, opened in 1931 built by Charlie Chaplin, if those walls could talk. Starting off walking the “Orange Carpet” where actors and actresses of film and television, musicians, and comedians. Plus an extraordinary guest, “Bagel a.k.a Sunglass Cat” (born without eyelids and the sunglasses protects Bagel’s corneas). Posing, chatting, laughing all around good fun supporting this night.
All photos by Tammy Greene
©2018. Please DO NOT copy or use without permission.
There was so much to offer; if you were thirsty, full bar, hungry there was Rock N Roll Pizza, plus an incredible silent auction, autographed guitars, framed memorabilia, concert tickets with VIP experience, etc. All the proceeds to the cause.
Kicking off the music portion of the evening were hosts Hal Sparks (Zero 1, Queer As Folk) and Craig Gass (The Worse Comedy Show Ever, Sex in the City, The Howard Stern Show) never a dull moment!
Celebrated All-Star Tributes, with an extra touch, on stage renowned performance artist Norton Wisdom painted what inspired him during each tribute.
Patrick Stone, Steve Dawson, Gretchen Bonaduce (Backup singer)
Tribute to David Cassidy, “I think I Love you”
Gretchen Bonaduce, Steve Dawson, Lisa Margaroli & Lisa D Forman (Backup singers)
Tribute to Chuck Berry, “Roll Over Beethoven”
Hal Sparks, Marq Torien, Ace Von Johnson, Anthony “Tiny” Biuso, Steve Dawson, Hal Sparks, Gabe Maska, Jon Mannes (Trumpet).
Tribute to Gregg Allman (Allman Brothers), Midnight Rider.
Keith England, Michael Devin, Walter Ino, Ira Black, Steve Dawson.
Tribute to Malcome Young AC/DC – Thunderstruck
Michael Devin, Derek Frank, Ira Black, Ace Von Johnson
Tribute to Chester Bennington, Linkin Park – Numb, One More Night.
Introduction Craig Gass, August Zadra, Derek Frank, Steve Ferlazzo, Erin Hawkins
Deep Purple – Stormbringer
Howie Simon, Ira Black, Michael Devin, Thomas Ross Johansen.
Doobie Brothers – China Grove
Howie Simon, Ira Black, Nicki Tedesco, Gretchen Bonaduce (Backup vocals), Horns.
Styx – Renegade
August Zadra, Ira Black, Nicki Tedesco
Sayle started working with Richard Pryor’s widow Jennifer Lee Pryor, eventually naming an award Pryor’s Platinum People Award after the legendary comedian who lived twenty years with the disease. The humanitarian award was presented to Lynn Ring, Theresa Larivee, Jennifer Jacobson and Ramin Delijani. Also Robert Sazo (Hurricane), Anthony “Tiny” Biuso (Bulletboys) and Todd Morse (The Offspring).
Featured performance by Jack Russell’s Great White. Songs included were Call it Rock N Roll, All Over Now, Mista Bone, Lady Red Light, Once Bitten, Twice Shy, to name a few. Also, Russell reminiscing about his life in a song named My Addition.
Petty Cash – A Tribute to Tom Petty
Juliette Lewis and the Licks
Hal Sparks Zero 1
Closing out the evening with a touching Tribute to Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave) with the choir. “No one sings like you anymore………..”
Donations can be made at Rock Against MS Foundation
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