Look To The Stars News: Anthony Kiedis

Chili Peppers Singer To Be Honored By MusiCares

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:00:00 -0000

The fifth annual MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert will honor Red Hot Chili Peppers co-founder and lead singer Anthony Kiedis, and it will take place for the first time at Club Nokia in Los Angeles on Friday, May 8, 2009.

Kiedis will be honored with the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his dedication and support of the MusiCares MAP Fund and for his commitment to helping other addicts with the addiction and recovery process. All proceeds will benefit the MusiCares MAP Fund, which provides members of the music community access to addiction recovery treatment regardless of their financial situation.

Hosted by Greg Behrendt, comedian and author of He’s Just Not That Into You, the evening will feature a special performance by Kiedis along with Red Hot Chili Peppers bandmates Flea and Chad Smith, as well as performances by Thelonious Monster vocalist and “Celebrity Rehab” participant Bob Forrest with his son Elijah Forrest, musician/producer Josh Klinghoffer, the Mars Volta, the Neville Brothers’ Ivan Neville, and Iggy Pop.

“Addiction exists in all communities and across all socioeconomic lines, but too often the challenges of making a life in music can lead people down the heartbreaking path of dependence,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and MusiCares. “When circumstances such as the economy and shifts in our industry come into play, the need for our services can become greater than ever. MusiCares exists to offer a beacon of hope and critical resources for members of the music community who are struggling with addiction. Anthony is a strong supporter of our cause and this is a perfect opportunity to recognize and honor his commitment.”

“I’ve seen firsthand the physical and emotional toll addiction takes on people – not just myself, but so many other artists and friends as well,” said Kiedis. “The pain of addiction is leveled only by the promise of sobriety and the MusiCares MAP Fund provides access to the kind of resources that can help people genuinely change their lives. I’m proud to be honored and help raise funds for this critical work.”

This special dinner and concert offers Living Room Sets that seat 10 for $12,500, Individual Floor Seats for $1,250 per person, and Preferred Balcony Seats for $100. Contact Wynnie Wynn at 310.392.3777 or wynniew@grammy.com for tickets and information. General admission balcony tickets are available for $50 each through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com. Out of respect for the clients the MusiCares MAP Fund serves, the event will be alcohol-free.

MusiCares ensures that music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need by providing programs and services including emergency financial assistance, educational workshops, and flu shots, hearing tests and medical/dental screenings. The MusiCares MAP Fund allows access to addiction recovery treatment and sober living resources for members of the music community regardless of their financial circumstances, and Safe Harbor Rooms, weekly addiction support groups and the MusiCares Sober Touring Network provide ongoing recovery support.

Established in 1989 by The Recording Academy, MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares’ services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community. For more information, please visit www.musicares.com.

It's Business Time For The Flight Of The Conchords

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Grammy award-winning comedy duo Flight of the Conchords are part of a huge new auction being run to raise cash for charity.

The Conchords shot to fame in 2007 when their quirky television series debuted on HBO and immediately received ratings and critical acclaim. Originally from New Zealand, the duo uses a mix of music and comedy to make witty and deadpan observations on society. Their new series starts next month.

Now – as part of the annual Grammy Charities Auction – you have the chance to bid on an acoustic guitar, DVD and CD signed by “New Zealand’s fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo.”

The auction is raising money for MusiCares – which works to help those in need in the music industry – and the Grammy Foundation, which works with industries, cultural communities and the public to raise awareness of music and arts education.

Also up for auction are guitars signed by the Jonas Brothers, Slash, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, Bonnie Raitt, and John Mayer. But if you don’t know one end of a guitar from another, don’t worry – there are plenty of other great items, such as signed posters from the Dixie Chicks and Robert Plant, clothes from Ricky Martin and Carrie Underwood, and the chance to have lunch with John Stamos or meet Donny and Marie Osmond.

But wait – there’s more!

Maybe you would be interested in handwritten lyrics from Annie Lennox, a sketch by Anthony Kiedis and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, or a photo signed by Good Charlotte. There are also a stack of CDs and other items signed by Steven Tyler, Rascal Flatts, Richie Sambora, Avril Lavigne, and many others.

The auction is live right now on eBay and ends on December 11.

Tony Hawk Raises $1 Million For Skateparks

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Pro skateboarder Tony Hawk raised over $1 million for charity on Sunday, November 9, at the 5th annual Acitivision Presents Stand Up for Skateparks event in Beverly Hills.

But Hawk wasn’t alone in his effort – he was joined by a number of his celebrity friends, including Shaun White, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis, David Spade, Perry Ferrell, Chris "Big Black" Boykin, Kathy Ireland, Bam Margera and BMX legend Mat Hoffman, as well as event benefit committee members Jamie Lee Curtis and Mia Hamm. The one-day action-sports extravaganza included games, activities, a special acoustic performance by Social Distortion, and a Vert Demo on Hawk’s personal ramp.

Money from the event will go to the Tony Hawk Foundation and its mission to bring free, quality skateparks to low-income communities across the United States.

Rockers To Gather For Rehab Open Day

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A variety of rock stars will be at an open day at the Bianca Center for Substance Abuse in Los Angeles this weekend.

Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis, Ozzy Osbourne, Jack Osbourne, and Velvet Revolver’s Duff McKagen are all expected to attend the open day on Saturday at the new center, which promises to offer an alternative approach to rehab. Named after Bianca Halstead of the band Betty Blowtorch, the center will serve as a haven for those who want to face their addiction problems in a safe, sober environment.

Halstead – who was sober for 11 years – was killed by a drunk driver in 2001.

“I didn’t get sober until a few years after she died,” said Bianca Center Executive Director and Halstead’s nephew, Jaymee Carpenter. “What [still] blows my mind is how she made the sober lifestyle look so ridiculously cool and worth fighting for. She was an example to countless others by not only projecting that image, but by regularly offering help to those seriously seeking sobriety.”

The Bianca Center will open for business on November 10, and is located at 385 N Avenue 52, Los Angeles. More information can be found at their website.

Celebrity Endorsement Pulls Young Voters

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A new study has revealed how celebrity endorsement can encourage young people to vote.

“Celebrities have the power to motivate civic engagement regardless of their own grasp of the issues at hand,” reported a study by Washington State University published in the Mass Communication and Society journal. “Celebrity endorsed campaigns successfully lowered complacency and helped young people believe in their own impact on the political system. Young people got involved at higher levels and became increasingly aware of societal issues.”

According to the study, initiatives from stars such as Jessica Alba – who recently featured in several ad campaigns for Declare Yourself – as well as Christina Aguilera and Beyoncé Knowles have influenced the youth vote in America. 44% of newly registered voters in 2004 were between 18 and 25.

This year’s voters have been encouraged by a host of celebrity campaigns, such as Death Cab for Cutie’s free concert offer and the recent 5 Friends video that featured will.i.am, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Bacon, Maria Bello, Halle Berry, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Connolly, Courteney Cox, Ellen DeGeneres, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Jonah Hill, Djimon Hounsou, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Kiedis, Ashton Kutcher, Adam Levine, Laura Linney, Eva Longoria, Tobey Maguire, Demi Moore, Esai Morales, Natalie Portman, Giovanni Ribisi, Sarah Silverman, Ethan Suplee, Kyra Sedgwick, Michelle Trachtenberg, Usher, and Forest Whitaker.

About 44 million people aged 18 to 29 are eligible to vote in the November 4 presidential election. If young voter turnout exceeds 50%, it will be only the third time since the voting age was lowered to 18 in 1972.

Hollywood Urges US To Vote

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A host of the brightest stars in Hollywood have joined forces in a new video encouraging people to vote in the upcoming US elections.

The 5-minute film, which is called 5 Friends and can be viewed here, features appearances from Amy Adams, Tatyana Ali, will.i.am, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Bacon, Maria Bello, Halle Berry, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Connolly, Courteney Cox, Ellen DeGeneres, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx, Jonah Hill, Djimon Hounsou, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Kiedis, Ashton Kutcher, Adam Levine, Laura Linney, Eva Longoria, Tobey Maguire, Demi Moore, Esai Morales, Natalie Portman, Giovanni Ribisi, Sarah Silverman, Ethan Suplee, Kyra Sedgwick, Michelle Trachtenberg, Usher, and Forest Whitaker.

The video, which uses a little bit of reverse psychology to get people to the polls, was organized by Declare Yourself, a national nonprofit campaign initiated in 2004 to energize and empower a new movement of young voters.

“If you’re not going to vote I don’t even know what to say to you anymore,” says DiCaprio in the video, which was shot in his home in LA. “You know you have to vote.”

Declare Yourself has also launched a new print and internet advertisement featuring Jessica Alba.

Last month the star appeared gagged and wrapped in plastic in an ad for the organization. In the new campaign, Alba appears wearing only a Hannibal Lecter-type mask called “The Muzzler.”

The advertisement can be seen at the Declare Yourself website.

Celebrities Support Sick Drummer With New Auction

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Pierce Brosnan, Tim McGraw, Nickelback, Donna Summer, Keith Urban, The Offspring, Red Hot Chili Peppers and many other big names in show business have come together to support one of their own.

The stars have organized a special benefit auction to help Allen Shellenberger, the 39-year-old drummer for Orange County rock band Lit, who was recently diagnosed with a grade 4 malignant brain tumor. The auction, sponsored by The Make A Noise Foundation through Ebay’s Giving Works Program, is being launched to help offset Allen’s medical costs.

The auction will include autographed items by various celebrities and fellow musicians including an archive-quality signed and numbered giclee of a painting by actor Pierce Brosnan, a custom tattoo session by Aces High, a guitar lesson with Grammy-award winning guitarist Steve Vai, a “Baby Taylor” guitar autographed by Tim McGraw, a “Knocked Up” movie poster signed by Judd Apatow & members of the cast, a dinner with the band Lit, an original lithograph of a painting by Donna Summer, a guitar autographed by Staind, an amplifier autographed by members of No Doubt, Drum Heads signed by The Offspring, a “Stadium Arcadium” CD by Red Hot Chili Peppers signed by the entire band, and autographed items from James Taylor, Nickelback, Maroon 5 and many other one-of-a-kind items. All proceeds from the Ebay auction will benefit Allen and Cedars-Sinai’s Maxine Dunitz Neurosugical Institute in Los Angeles.

In May, biopsy results identified Shellenberger’s cancer as malignant glioma. According to the National Cancer Institute, malignant glioma affects approximately 10,000 Americans per year. It is the same type of cancer Senator Edward M. Kennedy is battling. Shellenberger is under the care of world-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Hunt at the Cedars-Sinai Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute where he is pursuing radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Despite the news, Allen is in good spirits and committed to the fight.

Lit, who has been both a brotherhood and a band for over 20 years, has enjoyed multi-platinum success and chart-topping singles including “My Own Worst Enemy,” “Miserable,” and others. After two decades together, the band continues to write, record and tour.

“Allen’s young and healthy and if anyone has a chance to beat this, it’s him,” says Lit guitarist Jeremy Popoff. “As sad and scared as we all are, we’re standing by him and staying positive. We’re going to fight this together.”

For complete info on the auction, visit Lit’s MySpace page. To bid on the items in the auction, click here!

Leona Lewis Promotes Sun Safety For Summer

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Singer Leona Lewis has designed a special headscarf to raise funds for a major charity’s new education campaign.

The 23-year-old was made an Ambassador for the Teenage Cancer Trust’s Sunburn campaign – a program to encourage young people to use sunscreen when out in the sun – in May, and has designed an exclusive limited-edition headscarf decorated with butterflies to celebrate her involvement.

The scarves will be available exclusively from British chain “Superdrug”, and cost £2.99 ($6US). They officially go on sale on July 2, but can be pre-ordered from the Superdrug website from today.

Lewis was also recently named – along with Red Hot Chili Peppers singer, Anthony Kiedis – the “Sexiest Vegetarian of 2008” by PETA. The pair beat opposition from Pink, Natalie Imbruglia, Bryan Adams, and others for the honor. She is also due to play at Nelson Mandela’s 90th Birthday Concert in London this Friday.

Metallica, Scars on Broadway Perform for Silverlake Conservatory

Mon, 12 May 2008 12:18:31 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

Wednesday, May 14, will see Metallica perform at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles to benefit the Silverlake Conservatory of Music. Joining the iconic heavy-metal band at the fundraising concert will be Scars On Broadway, fronted by Daron Malakian and drummer John Dolmayan from the band System of a Down.

100% of all ticket sales will go directly to the support of the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, but you gotta act fast if you want to be part of the celebration, only 2,200 guests will be admitted.

The Silverlake Conservatory of Music (SCM), was founded in 2001 by Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, and Keith Barry, who feel that “that the study of music enriches not only the life of the musician, but the community and society as well.” It serves to foster music education among low-income students. The school’s summer camp program and new building initiative will also benefit from the proceeds of the concert.

  General Admission Tickets are on sale through www.ticketmaster.com at a price of $200 per ticket.   Limited VIP tickets at $500 each will be available only for purchase at Silverlake Conservatory of Music (3920 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles , CA. 90039) or by calling 323-665-3363. The VIP tickets will include Loge special assigned seating, gift bag, drink tickets, and entry into the after party at the Wiltern.

Live Earth Rocks the Planet

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 13:16:25 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

They came, they rocked, they conquered. 07/07/07 saw the Live Earth concerts take place on 7 continents, and the event will go down in history and in people’s hearts as one of the greatest spectacles ever staged.

The nine concerts held around the globe attracted hundreds of thousands of music lovers, and another 9 million internet streams – a world record internet audience. Many more are expected to watch replays over the next few weeks.
Concert-goers partied for a total of 22 hours at the events organized by Al Gore to raise awareness of climate change and environmental issues.

“You are Live Earth,” Gore told the crowd in New Jersey, on a stage made from recycled tires. “Today 2 billion of us have come together in over 130 countries… Times like these demand action.”

Despite the rain and low temperatures, 30,000 fans in Hamburg enjoyed stunning and energetic performances by Yusuf – formerly known as Cat Stevens – Shakira, Snoop Dogg, Enrique Iglesias, and former Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell. German comedian Elton joked about the inclement conditions with the comment “We’re here to fight against global warming in such c—p weather.”

It was also a cold affair in Antarctica, where a previously unknown band Nunatak – made up of polar researchers – played for 17 fellow scientists, allowing Gore to keep his promise to hold concerts in all seven continents.

45,000 people turned out in warmer circumstances in Sydney, where they were treated to performances by Jack Johnson, Toni Collette’s band The Finish, and a newly reformed Crowded House. Sydney was the first of the concerts to open, and was followed by Japan, where thousands rocked to performances by Linkin Park, Rihanna, and a host of local acts.

Johannesburg, experiencing its first snow in ten years, swayed to the rhythms of some of their best known local acts, as well as an intense performance by Joss Stone.

It was a smaller and quieter affair in Washington, where a subdued crowd was entertained by a few lesser known blues and hip hop acts.

The most popular concerts were held in London and New York. The newly refurbished Wembley Stadium was rocking under the weight of 70,000 concert-goers, all enthralled by stellar performances from the Beastie Boys, Kasabian, Metallica, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 1980’s comedy rock act Spinal Tap reformed for the event to perform their new single, “Warmer Than Hell”, and there was also a touching performance by singer/songwriter Terra Naomi. Naomi wrote the track “Say It’s Possible” after seeing An Inconvenient Truth, and was asked personally by Al Gore to perform it at Live Earth.

The finale of the Wembley show was a set by Madonna, which included “Hey You”, the song she wrote especially for Live Earth. She also thanked Gore “for giving the world the wake-up call it so badly needs, and for starting the avalanche of awareness that we are running out of time.”

Over 50,000 people crammed Giants Stadium in New Jersey to join Al Gore, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz, and Kevin Bacon for a night to remember. Cool rhythms from Alicia Keys and the Dave Matthews Band gave way to rockier beats later in the evening from Kelly Clarkson, Melissa Etheridge, and Jon Bon Jovi. The show ended with Sting and The Police performing a duet of their hit, “Message In A Bottle”, with rapper Kanye West
.
The free show in Rio De Janeiro, almost cancelled over security concerns, drew a crowd of 600,000 to listen to sun-drenched performances by Lenny Kravitz and Macy Gray, and the show in Shanghai was also a success.

The Chinese crowd were made aware of the International Energy Agency warning that China could become the top emitter of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, by later this year.

The Live Earth concerts were a great day’s entertainment for those who witnessed them, and only time will tell if they achieved their goals.

“Thank you for coming to Live Earth,” said Al Gore as the concerts ended. “Harness the energy in your hearts and help us solve the climate crisis.”

Red Hot Chili Peppers Join Hullabaloo

Sun, 15 Apr 2007 11:58:09 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Eddie Vedder are to perform at the third annual Hullabaloo concert on May 5th in Los Angeles.

Woody Harrelson will be the Master of Ceremonies for the fundraising evening, which will include a silent auction featuring rock photographs, fine art and event packages and trips, as well as a live auction with rare collectibles and a selection of art by Damien Hirst.

The event benefits the Silverlake Conservatory of Music, which will use the funds raised to provide instruments and music lessons for low-income students.

Look To The Stars News: Anthony Kiedis

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