Brookhaven hosting benefits concert for veterans
Foghat, John Kay and Steppenwolf, and Molly Hatchet to perform at amphitheater
1 comments below
Foghat drummer Roger Earl autographed posters Tuesday for the Oct. 4 "The Vets Rock!" benefit concert at Brookhaven Amphitheater. Mr. Earl, a Setauket resident and the band's only continuous member, said he is 'honored to perform in a concert that will raise money for veterans.'
The only continuous member of the British rock band, which reached career heights in the 1970s with classic rock singles like "Slow Ride," pauses for a second before dropping the sort of line only a rock star could get away with.
"If not for them, we'd all be in deep [expletive}," said Mr. Earl, a Setauket resident.
To support the efforts of local veterans, Foghat, John Kay and Steppenwolf and Molly Hatchet agreed this week to perform at "The Vets Rock!" concert to benefit veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Sponsored by the Town of Brookhaven, the concert is slated for Oct. 4 at the Brookhaven Amphitheater.
The concert will be underwritten by the town, with all profits going to three local veterans' charities: The Suffolk Police Veterans Association, Suffolk County Homefront Inc. and 9-1-1 Veterans.
"We felt it was important to honor our veterans," said Brookhaven Town Supervisor Mark Lesko, who spoke along with Mr. Earl at a media briefing announcing the concert Tuesday.
"I've wanted to play there for a long time," he said.
Mr. Earl has lived in Setauket -- where he said he loves to boat and fish -- since moving to the U.S. in 1973. He lived there when "Slow Ride," the band's biggest hit, reached No. 20 in 1975. He said Foghat has also visited Walter Reed Army Medical Center to meet with troops.
Steppenwolf, fronted by Canadian rock legend John Kay, saw even more success in the 1970s, with three top-10 hits in "Born to Be Wild," "Magic Carpet Ride" and "Rock Me." Like Mr. Earl, Mr. Kay is the only member of his band to play on each recorded album.
Southern rock band Molly Hatchet is best known for its 1980 hit "Flirtin' with Disaster."
Brookhaven Amphitheater general manager Jim Faith said getting the acts together for such a cause was a fairly simple task.
"They definitely all want to support the vets," he said.
Each of the three charity organizations supports Suffolk County veterans. The Suffolk Police Veterans Association benefits veterans who go on to careers in law enforcement.
Mr. Earl said he has two stepsons who work as police officers, including one who served as a Marine.
"With all the sacrifices they make, the least we can do is help them out by playing a little rock 'n' roll," he said.
The concert will be organized as a family event, according to the Town of Brookhaven. Children's entertainment and video presentations about fallen soldiers will be featured throughout the day.
gparpan@northshoresun.com
Want to buy tickets?
Tickets for "The Vets Rock!" can be purchased at www.brookhavenamphitheater.com or through Ticketmaster. Three price levels will be available, ranging from $25 to $45. For more information call the box office at 631-451-8010.
The North Shore Sun is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. The North Shore Sun does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not The North Shore Sun. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Service and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
1 comments found
Thanks : 9/4/2009
Hey Old Rockers Thanks from a Marine Momma POST 6249 RP
