Look To The Stars News: Richie Sambora

May The Paws Be With You - Mark Hamill Joins Charity Auction For Animals

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Precious Paws, the non-profit animal rescue organization based in Los Angeles, is launching the biggest fundraiser in the group’s history.

On Thursday, November 5th at 7:00 pm PST, Precious Paws will debut its Celebrity Experience and Entertainment Memorabilia Auction to an international audience exclusivel y on eBay. This 10-day auction, which is co- sponsored by Auction Cause, the nation’s leading online auction company, will conclude at 7:00 pm PST on Sunday, November 15th.

The charity is pleased to announce Mark Hamill will be participating in the event by allowing them to auction off a lunch for two with him. The actor, director, writer and producer who is best known for his role of Luke Skywalker in the original “Star Wars” trilogy, George Lucas’ epic space saga was an enormous success and revolutionized the film industry. For his portrayal of Skywalker, the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films honored Hamill with the Saturn Award for Best Actor. Post “Star Wars,” Mark Hamill has found success on Broadway in such productions as Amadeus and The Elephant Man, as well as on television. His achievements on the small screen include his work in front of and behind the camera, in both live-action and animated productions.

Throughout this highly-anticipated event, guests will also have the opportunity to win lunches with other prominent celebrities, including Susan Olsen, Eric Roberts, Stephen Collins, Anthony Michael Hall, Nicole De Boer, Robbie Rist, Alana Curry, McKenzie Westmore, and Adrianne Curry & Chris Knight.

Precious Paws is a nonprofit dog and cat rescue organization that was founded in 2003 by Georgyne La Lone. “We are passionate about our mission to rescue unwanted companion dogs and cats from the streets and shelters,” says Ms. La Lone. “We spend a great many of our resources providing food and medical care to these loveable animals. It is our hope that through this auction, we will be able to continue providing the best to these rescues that do so much to enrich our lives.”

Bidders will also have the chance to bid on a visit to the set of iCarly, a tour of the “Hungry Girl” office which includes a meet and greet with Lisa Lillien, “Hungry Girl” author and her staff and an autographed “Hungry Girl” book. Bidders will also have the opportunity to purchase some of the most coveted celebrity memorabilia, including an autographed electric guitar by Bon Jovi’s Richie Sambora, an autographed acoustic guitar by The Eagles an autographed Collector’s Beer Can by Def Leppard's Joe Elliott, a variety of autographed pictures from Star Trek celebrities, including Patrick Stewart, Scott Bakula, Kate Mulgrew and Avery Brooks, Paris Hilton and Jimmy Buffett memorabilia, and autographed posters from notable musical luminaries BB King, John Denver and Billy Idol.

For more information on the Celebrity Experience and Entertainment
Memorabilia Auction, contact Georgyne La Lone at (818) 773-3336 or www.preciouspaws.org.

Jon Bon Jovi Records Song For Iran

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Jon Bon Jovi has recorded a song with exiled Iranian singer Andy Madadian in “a musical message of worldwide solidarity” to the Iranian people in the aftermath of the country’s recent disputed election.

The version of Ben E King’s Stand By Me is sung in both English and Farsi, and features Richie Sambora, John Shanks and Don Was. Was – who co-produced the track – told Billboard magazine that the recording session came about after he talked with Madadian about “whether there was something we could do just to send out a little message of solidarity, remembering the ’60s, believing music can change things.”

“It is not for sale,” Was says. “It wasn’t intended to be on the Billboard charts, wasn’t meant to be a hit record or even pressed on a CD. It’s intended to be downloaded and shared by the Iranian people. The whole idea was to get it into Iran and tell them…to carry on, that the world is watching and we’re with you.”

To view the song, click here.

Celebrity Charity Auction Raises Funds For Museum

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A new charity auction is giving you the chance to bid on once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and items to raise money for a state-of-the-art museum in New York City designed to highlight the achievements of songwriting greats and acknowledge their rightful place in culture.

Going under the hammer are opportunities to have lunch with Smashing Pumpkins front man Billy Corgan, backstage meet-and-greets with Cher, Jason Mraz, Wynonna, Chris Daughtry, Clint Black and Bonnie Raitt, as well as guitars signed by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Peter Wentz, handwritten lyrics signed by Paul Simon, Rob Thomas and Carley Simon, and other items signed by Elvis Costello, Julianne Hough, Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, John Mayer, and much more.

The new museum facility will serve as a resource and center of study for scholars, aspiring songwriters, students and music lovers young and old to learn about America’s musical heritage.

To view the auction, click here.

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.

Feed America With George Clooney's Bowl

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A host of your favorite actors and musicians have autographed bowls for a new charity auction to raise money for the hungry.

The Fill A Bowl, Feed America campaign is being run in conjunction with Clothes Off Our Back, the celebrity charity auction site founded by Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek.

Now is your chance to eat from quality bowls signed by stars such as George Clooney, Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Matt Damon, Jennifer Aniston, Matthew Perry, Adam Sandler, Rascal Flatts, Paris Hilton, Sacha Baron Cohen, Maroon 5, Wyclef Jean, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Annie Lennox, Ben Harper, Josh Groban, Jordin Sparks, Carlos Santana, Sarah McLachlan, Richie Sambora, and many more.

All of the proceeds from the auction – which runs until December 12 – will go to Feeding America. The auction can be accessed here. And remember – it only takes $1 to provide 16 meals for a child.

Bon Jovi Ticket Packages Up For Grabs

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Bon Jovi guitartist Richie Sambora is auctioning off a special concert package to raise money for a young New Jersey girl who is suffering from a brain cyst.

Kelly Mahon, a senior from Woodbridge High, underwent a massive 14-hour operation last fall to remove the cyst. However, following complications, the teenager had to be heavily medicated and kept on a respirator. Although still hospitalized, she is off the respirator and doctors say she may be able to go home soon.

Sambora – who is also a Woodbridge High graduate – has offered two Bon Jovi packages for next week’s shows at Madison Square Garden to help raise funds for Kelly. Each package includes four tickets, four side-of-stage seats, four autographed T-shirts signed by members of the band, a Bon Jovi autographed guitar, and the chance to meet Sambora backstage before the shows.

The 49-year-old guitarist will be on hand to auction the packages at 9 am today, Friday July 11, on WPLJ (95.5FM) in New York. The starting bid for each is $1,500, and the number to call to place your bid is 1-800-321-9755.

Bon Jovi Headline Charity Concert

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:28:56 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Bon Jovi has headlined the first concert in a charity series to raise funds for lung cancer research.

The show was held at Manhattan’s Hammerstein Ballroom on Tuesday, February 12, to a capacity crowd of 3,500, with proceeds going to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering, a facility that specializes in lung cancer. The Center is also where Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora's father received treatment for the disease before his death last year.

“Cancer is relentless; you can’t stop it,” said Sambora, who opened the concert with a 30 minute set of solo material. “Hopefully this money will help find answers.”

The concert was organized by Stand Up For A Cure, and is expected to be the first of a yearlong series to benefit the cancer center. The organization hopes to pull together at least seven concerts in that time, and have already confirmed a stand-up performance from Jerry Seinfeld on June 2 at Madison Square Garden, a concert with Brian Wilson and special guests at the Hammerstein Ballroom on July 11, and a performance by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli set for a to-be-determined date in December.

Jordan Belkin, Executive Producer for Stand Up For A Cure, hopes the concert series will not only raise money for cancer research but also awareness for what he calls a “severely under-funded” disease.

“It’s the number one cause of cancer-related deaths in the world,” he told Billboard.com. “We need to get the message out and get money into the programs that are offering a potential cure for treatment. By groups like Bon Jovi donating their time and support to this cause, I think we’re getting closer to doing so.”

Shakira Sheds Threads For Charity

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:11:47 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Although the Northern Hemisphere is still gripped with winter chills, it has not stopped some celebrities from shedding their clothes… for a good cause, of course.

Latin American pop princess Shakira leads the pack by donating more than 40 items of clothing from her 2007 Oral Fixation Tour to a massive internet auction.

There is an impressive list of garments from the hip-shaking performer’s wardrobe, including a lavender skirt with turqoise and coral beading and a blue tank top emblazoned with the words “For Those Who Love To Rock”. And the demand has been overwhelming, with one dress attracting bids of $10,000, and a custom-made bra reaching $1,126.

“We have bids from all over the world,” said Eric Ganzin, president of Auction Cause. “It’s very exciting.”

Proceeds from the auction will go to the singer’s Pies Descalzos Foundation, and the money will be used for the construction of a school for impoverished children in North Colombia.

But bidders had better be quick – the eBay auction ends in just a few hours.

Former Buffy The Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar has pushed the envelope a little further by allowing naked photos of herself to be auctioned on eBay.

But before you get too excited, they are not all that they appear: the 30-year-old actress originally posed for the photos in a little black dress that was later removed digitally.

The proceeds from the photos will go to the Coalition of Skin Diseases.

And even Donald Trump is getting in on the act… although thankfully he is keeping his clothes on.

A tie signed by Trump is currently up for auction on eBay, with proceeds going to the Spirit Fund, a fund established by radio station Warm 101.3 to help children in the Rochester area.

The story behind the tie is twisty and, you could say, knotty: When a Kodak executive arrived on set for a recent taping of The Celebrity Apprentice, Trump objected to his tie. He ordered the executive to replace it with one belonging to one of the security guards.

There are only a few hours left in the auction, and bids have already reached $759.

But the biggest celebrity auction on the Net right now is the 50th Grammy Awards Charity Auction on eBay. Over 100 items from some of music’s hottest stars is up for grabs, with all proceeds going to MusiCares.

The auction, which runs until February 21, features exciting and priceless items such as the chance to visit the set of LL Cool J's next video, a guitar lesson with Joe Satriani, VIP tickets to concerts by Linkin Park, John Legend, and Rihanna, guitars signed by Richie Sambora, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Etheridge, and Neil Diamond, a microphone signed by Joss Stone, posters and photos signed by Rod Stewart ($167), John Mayer ($170), and Sting ($482), as well as items from Avril Lavigne, Slash, Reba McEntire, Quincy Jones, Beyoncé Knowles, and Snoop Dogg.

The internet auction follows a live auction held on February 8 at Aretha Franklin's MusiCare’s Person Of The Year Award ceremony. Items that were up for sale on that night included a private painting lesson with Tony Bennett, a saxophone signed by Bill Clinton, sheet music to Stairway To Heaven signed by Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, as well as clothing and instruments donated by Elton John, Slash, Madonna, and Bruce Springsteen.

MusiCares is the charitable arm of the Recording Academy, the group that gives out the Grammys, and focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community.

Look To The Stars News: Richie Sambora

May The Paws Be With You - Mark Hamill Joins Charity Auction For Animals

Related past articles

Jon Bon Jovi Records Song For Iran

Related past articles

Celebrity Charity Auction Raises Funds For Museum

Related past articles

It's Business Time For The Flight Of The Conchords

Related past articles

Feed America With George Clooney's Bowl

Related past articles

Bon Jovi Ticket Packages Up For Grabs

Related past articles

Bon Jovi Headline Charity Concert

Related past articles

Shakira Sheds Threads For Charity

Related past articles