MusiCares from the Heart

Remember my friend Gerry Gittelson? He sat in with Warrant during their appearance on Rockline...and Friday night, he attended the fourth annual MusiCares benefit concert at the Music Box in Los Angeles. Guitarist Slash and Alice Cooper were honored for being true to the organization's mission statement.

Gerry's report is in italics. My commentary in standard form.

Cooper and Slash received awards for their contributions to MuisCares, a local organization devoted to helping addicts and alcoholics in the music industry during the recovery process. Cooper is a major influence on Glam rock, or glitter rock, or theatrical rock, whatever you want to call it...–

If you'’re wondering how loyal he remains to the genre, look no further than his guitar player Keri Kelli, founder of Big Bang Babies, which happens to be one of the greatest Glam bands of all-time: signed, unsigned, in the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame or the Rock n' Roll gutter. (Editor's note: Me thinks Gerry is a little bias. Remember, he managed Big Bang Babies just as Grunge was turning Glam out of favor. I do agree, however, that they are a great, relatively unknown band). 

Mr. Cooper and Slash kept their acceptance speeches short, instead preferring to make their points on stage. Slash jammed with an all-star ensemble featuring a revolving door of singers that included Cheap Trick’'s Robin Zander, Linkin Park'’s Chester Bennington and Aerosmith’'s Steven Tyler.  Tyler sounded in fine form jamming his way through “Mama Kin,” one of Aerosmith’'s early hits. (Editor's Note: Yes, it's Allyson again. Seriously? Gerry was partying with Slash and Steven Freakin' Tyler on Friday night. I was doing laundry in Ohio. I digress).

Then it was Cooper’'s turn, and the shock rocker turned-in a blistering 20-minute set that didn'’t include his usual props such as a guillotine or a large snake but proved nonetheless that rock is alive and well, even if you'’re 60 years old – and in Cooper'’s case, 26 years sober.

"“We rocked the house," Kerri” Kelli said. “

 "This whole thing is pretty surreal,”" Slash added. "“It hasn’t really sunk in. I came to this event two years ago and I was loaded, so the whole thing has come full circle. It’s a real honor to be here."

”In case you are not familiar, MusiCares is a foundation created by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Musicians use the foundation as a support networking during hard times. If you'd like to support this charity, you can visit the official website.

Photo Credit: Gerry Gittelson. "Slash and Kerri Kelli perform live at MusiCares event."