Those rock stars, they care, they truly do. Musicares is giving Pete Townshend of the Who the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for 2015. Sure, you and I consider these awards just another excuse to raise money, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more behind them:
“Townshend was selected for his “dedication and support of the MusiCares MAP Fund and its addiction recovery programs.” Bruce Springsteen will present the award at the annual benefit concert on Thursday, May 28 at the Best Buy Theater in New York.
Also being honored will be Bill Curbishley, the longtime manager of the Who, who will receive the From the Heart Award “for his unconditional friendship and dedication to the mission and goals of the organization.” Doug Morris, CEO of Sony Entertainment, will present the award.
Performing at the event will be Joan Jett, Billy Idol, Foreigner’s Mick Jones and The Who band featuring John Corey on grand piano, Loren Gold on keys, Pino Palladino on bass, Frank Simes on keyboard, Zak Starkey on drums, and Pete Townshend and Simon Townshend on guitars. Additional artists are expected to be announced.”
Please note “The Who Band” doesn’t include Roger Daltrey which means, I guess, the stars will be performing the lead singing (Billy was the Ace Face at the Quadrophenia performance at MSG in July 1996) though it hits me as a major missed opportunity because, cmon, what a chance to roll out some great solo Townshend stuff. The last time I heard “Sheraton Gibson” live was May 3rd. A terrific concert at the SUpper Club, as worked out some arrangements before the Quradophenia tour. Here is that setlist:
Let My Love Open the Door
English Boy
Rough Boys
Drowned
(The Who song)
The Shout
Sheraton Gibson
I’m One
(The Who song)
Heart to Hang Onto
Cut My Hair
(The Who song)
I Put a Spell on You
(Screamin’ Jay Hawkins cover)
All Shall Be Well
Parvardigar
A Legal Matter
(The Who song)
A Friend Is a Friend
I Am an Animal
If You Live
(Mose Allison cover)
Slit Skirts
Eyesight to the Blind
(Sonny Boy Williamson cover)
Now and Then
Rough Boys
I’m a Boy
(The Who song)
Baby Don’t You Do It
(Marvin Gaye cover)
Magic Bus
(The Who song)
Love, Reign O’er Me
(The Who song)
On yeah, and Musicares?
“The MusiCares Foundation provides programs and services to members of the music community, including emergency financial assistance for basic living expenses such as rent, utilities and car payments; medical expenses including doctor, dentist and hospital bills; psychotherapy; and treatment for HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, hepatitis C, and other critical illnesses. The MusiCares MAP Fund allows access to addiction recovery treatment and sober living resources for members of the music community.”