Article and Photo Credit L. Paul Mann for Vandala Magazine
Photos at the Bottom
The fourth annual Rock Against MS Benefit Concert and Awards show took place at the Whiskey A Go Go on Sunset Strip March 10th. The show, which is the brainchild of publicist Nancy B. Sayle, featured a near five hour marathon rock session with over 50 veteran rockers. When Sayle was diagnosed with MS, a small army of her friends in the rock world volunteered for what has now become an annual event to raise money and awareness about the disease. The line up includes some of the best rockers from nearly four decades of the most successful bands in the classic rock genre. The show unfolded as a series of thirty minute jam sessions, with various rockers moving in and out of the different line ups. Just some of the well known performers included; BILLY SHEEHAN (WINERY DOGS/MR. BIG), STEPHEN PERKINS (JANE’S ADDICTION), PAT TORPEY (MR. BIG), RUDY SARZO (OZZY/WHITESNAKE), PHIL X (BON JOVI/ THE DRILLS), JOEL HOEKSTRA (WHITESNAKE/TSO), DUG PINNICK (KINGS-X), PHIL BUCKMAN (FUEL), TODD MORSE (JULIETTE & THE LICKS/THE OFFSPRING/ H2O), JEFF SCOTT SOTO (TSO), MARTY O’BRIEN (LITA FORD), MATT STARR (ACE FREHLEY/ MR. BIG), JOEY VERA (ARMORED ST./ MOTOR SISTER), JOSHUA RAY (SHANIA TWAIN), DEREK FRANK (SHANIA TWAIN), ELIJAH WOOD (SHANIA TWAIN), GRETCHEN BONADUCE (ANKH), ACE VON JOHNSON (FASTER PUSSYCAT), ANTHONY “TINY” BIUSO (HEDpe/TSOL), SHAWN DUNCAN (BULLETBOYS/ODIN), TANYA O’CALLAGHAN (RONNIE WOODS), NICK BOWCOTT (GRIM REAPER/MARSHALL), HOWIE SIMON (NELSON/ERIC MARTIN), JEFF DUNCAN (ARMORED SAINT), YOLANDA THOMAS, PETTY CASH (Members From THE OFFSPRING/JULIETTE & THE LICKS/ FUEL), THE GUESSING GAME (Featuring JEFF ROUSE/ Duff Mckagan’s LOADED/ Chris Jericho’s FOZZY & GARY WESTLAKE/ Peter Frampton).
Many of the performers turn up every year to support their friend Nancy and play awesome sets, like former Great White lead singer Jack Russel and his awesome touring band. But, there are always surprises at this noble event and this year’s biggest was surprise was a band with a pair of young rocking Asian sisters. The young Okai sisters, Mayuko Okai (Guitar), Tsuzumi Okai (Bass) play a mean lead guitar and bass respectively and make up the backbone of Stephen Perkins’ touring band, Tabitha. The drummer of the Foo Fighters made a surprise appearance as the bands lead singer. Half way into the set he relinquished lead singing duties, to Wiley Hodgen, who is in Hawkin’s side project band Chevy Metal.
For more information on upcoming Rock Against MS events visit: https://www.facebook.com/RockAgainstMSFoundation/
Vandala Magazine 