Look To The Stars News: Eagles

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.

Eagles Guitarist To Play Charity Concert

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former Eagles guitarist Don Felder is to play a special concert in Sun Valley to benefit leukemia and cancer research next week.

The concert – to take place at the Sun Valley Pavilion in Idaho – will feature a cross section of Eagles hits and Felder’s solo work, and will be part of the Danny Thompson Memorial golf tournament.

“I saw the pavilion and thought, what a great place to have a show!” said Felder. “I proposed the idea to [tournament director] Georgie Fenton. The idea was for all proceeds to go to the Thompson Memorial. Her eyes lit up. Hundreds of e-mails later, the idea finally came to fruition.”

The concert, called An Evening at the Hotel California, will be held Wednesday, August 19, starting at 8 p.m. at the pavilion.

Felder is donating his time for Wednesday’s concert for free. “This group has been with me for three years. We play a lot of corporate and charity events.”

Tickets ranging from $50 to $250 per person for the Aug. 19 concert are on sale here or through the Sun Valley Recreation Center at 622-2135. Tickets for premium seating, which includes a VIP cocktail party, are limited in number.

Sheryl Crow To Headline Tiger Woods Charity Party

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 15:30:00 -0000

Singer Sheryl Crow is to headline this year’s Bloc Party for the Tiger Woods Foundation.

The Block Party is an exclusive event organized to express gratitude to the Orange County community for its support of the Tiger Woods Learning Center and its students. Through intimate musical performances and exciting live and silent auctions, the Block Party has raised more than $4 million for the TWLC since its inception in 2005. The 2008 Block Party raised approximately $700,000 for the TWLC, a 14-acre youth-education facility located in Anaheim, Calif.

Past musical guests include Seal, Melissa Etheridge, Grammy Award winner John Mayer, and Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh of the legendary Eagles. Block Party auctions have featured exceptional sports and entertainment experiences, including putting lessons with Tiger Woods, one-of-a-kind memorabilia, and VIP trips to the world’s best sporting events and entertainment destinations.

The event will take place on October 17, and more information will be made available here.

Stars Duet With Cuban Musicians For Climate Change

Tue, 26 May 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Amy Winehouse, The Killers and The Rolling Stones have teamed up with a group of Cuban musicians on an album designed to fight climate change.

The artists will perform duets with Rhythms Del Mundo on the CD, titled Classics, with proceeds from the project going to fund climate change projects and natural disaster relief around the world.

Inspired by the 2004 Asian Tsunami, the album will contain musical gems such as The Killers singing The Eagles’ Hotel California, and The Rolling Stones taking on The Drifters’ Under the Boardwalk. Also included on the album will be Amy Winehouse’s take on Sam Cooke’s Cupid. But perhaps the real highlight will be Fall Out Boy and John Mayer teaming up to cover Michael Jackson’s Beat It.

The album will follow the first Rhythms Del Mundo album which was released in 2006 and featured an all-star cast of Cuban musicians including Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo of the Buena Vista Social Club and international artists such as the Arctic Monkeys, Dido, U2, Coldplay, Sting, Jack Johnson, Maroon 5, Franz Ferdinand, and Kaiser Chiefs. Proceeds from the CD went to environmental nonprofit organization Artists Project Earth.

The new CD is due for release in July.

Former Eagle Don Felder Plays Charity Concert

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former guitarist for the Eagles, Don Felder, played a special concert for staff and sufferers of brain injuries at the Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured (ARBI) in Alberta, Canada, this week.

The music legend entertained with examples from the Eagles songbook, including Hotel California, Tequila Sunrise, and Take It Easy.

“It’s really becoming quite evident how strongly linked our brain is to music,” musical therapist Jennifer Buchanan told the Calgary Sun. “It’s completely tuned in. What we often see is improved speech and gross motor movement through music. It motivates them, inspires and excites people, enabling them to do all sorts of things they otherwise can’t do.”

The concert was held at the Jack Singer Concert Hall on Monday night, and was the first in a series of similar concerts across Canada to benefit the Canadian Music Therapy Trust Fund. The initiative supports a plethora of issues the Fund donates money to, from ARBI to children with autism, and people in palliative care units.

“I’d like to do a series of these types of shows across the country to try to raise the consciousness and bring attention to this worthy cause,” said Felder. “I think I’ve been doing music therapy since I started playing. It seems like the joy that people get through music really breaks through all language barriers, whether it’s just someone sitting in the audience or someone sitting in a hospital like the people here today. Music can reach people on a level that language and medication and physical therapy can’t.”

Join The Shining Stars At Shane's Inspiration Gala

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A charity that aims to eliminate bias against children with disabilities by creating accessible playgrounds and programs that integrate children of all abilities is to hold a star-studded gala this Saturday, March 14.

Hosted by Joe Mantegna, the Our Shining Stars gala will benefit Shane’s Inspiration, a charity established in 1997 after founders Catherine Curry-Williams and Scott Williams lost their son, Shane Alexander, to Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Type I: Werdnig-Hoffman Disease) only a few weeks after his birth.

Expected to attend the gala are Dakota Fanning, Slash, and former NBA Star and current NASCAR racer Derek Strong. Guests will be treated to cocktails, dinner, Rockstar Photobooth, entertainment from comedian Chris Fonseca and a special auction featuring a donated one-of-a-kind collaborative painting. Paraplegic artist Tommy Hollenstein – who paints with the wheels of his wheelchair – created the painting with the collaboration and signatures of sixteen rock stars, including Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh (The Eagles), Slash, and members of Incubus, Santana, The Cars, The Knack, and The Cult.

To date, Shane’s Inspiration has created 22 Universally Accessible Playgrounds in Los Angeles and around the world. It received the first “Heroes for Health Award” by Good Housekeeping Magazine and General Electric, and has been lauded by People Magazine, Los Angeles Magazine, L.A. Parent Magazine, L.A. Business Council and numerous others.

The gala will take place at the Beverly Wilshire on Saturday, March 14, starting at 7pm. More information can be found here.

Classic Rockers Join Led Zep Guitarist For Charity

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Some of the biggest names in classic rock have donated items to an auction that benefits a charity supported by one of their contemporaries.

Task Brazil is a UK-based charity established in 1992 that improves the lives and supports the needs of children and pregnant teenage girls living on the streets of Brazil. The charity received a huge boost in 1997 when Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, who witnessed first hand the deprivation of the children and troubles in the favelas whilst playing in Rio de Janeiro, made a massive donation. The money was used to buy a plot of land in Santa Teresa on which ‘Casa Jimmy’ was built to provide a safe and happy home for a lucky few of the abandoned children.

The current auction features loads of Led Zep items signed by Page, as well as guitars signed by Slash and the Eagles’ Joe Walsh, and items signed by Phil Collins, Bob Geldof, Iron Maiden and many others.

The auction runs until March 15 and can be accessed here.

Take It To The Limit With A Signed Eagles Guitar

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Classic rock legends The Eagles are about to set off on their 2009 Long Road Out Of Eden tour, and to celebrate they are auctioning a signed guitar for charity.

The fantastic Takamine G-Series acoustic guitar has been signed by band members Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Scmidt, and proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Also going under the hammer this week for the charity are guitars signed by Miley Cyrus and Brooks and Dunn, as well as signed memorabilia from the Grateful Dead, Jewel, Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsay Buckingham, Scarlett Johansson, Maroon 5, New Kids On The Block and many more.

To view the items and make an offer, head to the Charity Folks website.

Shaq O'Neil Records PSA For Childhelp USA

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:00:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

NBA great Shaquille O’Neal was in Phoenix, Arizona, this week to record a PSA – directed by Casper Van Dien – for Childhelp USA.

The Phoenix Suns center is the latest in a long line of celebrity supporters and ambassadors for the charity – dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect – including Leeza Gibbons, Glenn Frey of the Eagles, Jane Seymour, Catherine Oxenberg, and John Stamos.

“Everyone said you just have to have Shaq,” charity founder Sara O’Meara told ABC15. “And so we said we’ll get him. These economic times are so bad and people who made pledges in the past and honored them are no longer able to honor them, so when people step up to the plate, like Shaq, it makes a great detail of different to a charity.”

In the PSA, O’Neil warns children to stay away from drugs and urges people to donate to the organization.

“Be strong, stand tall,” he said.

The PSA will be available on the Childhelp USA website soon.

Bob Hope Classic Attracts Celebrity Players

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:30:00 -0000

Thirteen-time Pro Bowler and all-time leading NFL scorer Jerry Rice, legendary guitarist and Rock And Roll Hall of Fame member Stephen Stills, and actors Don Johnson (Miami Vice, Nash Bridges), Kyle Maclachlan (Twin Peaks, Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives), William Devane (24, The West Wing) and Bruce McGill (Animal House, The Legend of Bagger Vance) have joined the list of athletes and celebrities committed to playing in the 50th Bob Hope Classic Hosted by Arnold Palmer, Jan. 19-25, 2009.

Other celebrity participants for the Classic, a desert tradition since 1960, include former Major League Baseball and National Football League standout Bo Jackson, Tampa Bay Rays third baseman and 2008 American League Rookie of the Year Evan Longoria, famed musicians Huey Lewis, Michael Bolton, Alice Cooper, Don Felder (formerly of the Eagles), Josh Kelley and country singer Clay Walker, actors Kurt Russell, Chris O’Donnell, Thomas Gibson, Oliver Hudson and Jeffrey Donovan; actor/comedian Kevin Nealon, actor/game show host John O’Hurley, timeless New York Yankees baseball legend Yogi Berra, comedian Tom Dreesen, NFL Hall of Fame quarterback and sportscaster Dan Fouts, Hall of Fame sportscaster Keith Jackson, television financial host Joe Kernen, Cleveland Browns quarterback Derek Anderson, former Green Bay Packers wide receiver and NFL analyst Sterling Sharpe, and former Vice President Dan Quayle. The celebrity field’s schedule is as follows: Wednesday, Jan. 21, SilverRock Resort; Thursday, Jan. 22, Bermuda Dunes Country Club; Friday, Jan. 23, Nicklaus Private at PGA West; Saturday, Jan. 24, Arnold Palmer Private at PGA WEST.

PGA TOUR professional D.J. Trahan will return to defend his 2008 Bob Hope Classic title, which he won by three strokes after firing a final-round, 7-under-par 65 to finish at 26-under 334 over 90 holes. All five days of The Classic will be televised on Golf Channel. At stake is a purse of $5.1 million, $918,000 to the winner.

Palmer, a sporting and Coachella Valley icon, played in the tournament 42 of its 50 years and is the only five-time champion, winning the inaugural tournament in 1960 and again in 1962, ’68, ’71 and ’73. He won a total of 62 PGA TOUR titles. The five-day Classic features 128 top PGA TOUR professionals and 384 amateur contestants, including a stellar list of 30 celebrities.

As it celebrates its 50th anniversary tournament, the Bob Hope Classic’s host course will be the Palmer Private at PGA West. Other courses in the 2009 rotation include Bermuda Dunes Country Club, an original tournament course, La Quinta’s SilverRock Resort, which debuted in 2008, and the Nicklaus Private Course at PGA West, in the rotation for the first time.

In 49 years, the tournament has donated more than $45 million to charities throughout the Coachella Valley, including the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America, Habitat For Humanity and many more. Tickets are only $25 per day, with several packages offering additional savings. For more information, go to www.bhcc.com

Be A Rock Star For A Day With New Charity Auction

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Do you dream about rock ‘n’ roll stardom? How about playing the guitar of your favorite rock icons? Guitar Center Music Foundation is proud to present the Rockstar Experience Online Charity Auction at www.auctionwire.com and running until Saturday, December 13. The auction will feature hot ticket items such as signed guitars from famous musicians, celebrity meet and greets with rock legends, and The Rockstar Experience — a unique package that will make anyone rock ‘n’ roll!

The Rockstar Experience package will be one lucky winner’s shot at fame; the winner of this item will be featured on a huge “Poster of Fame,” photographed by world-renowned rock photographer Robert Knight. The 80-square-foot poster will be displayed prominently at the entrance of the landmark Guitar Center Hollywood store on Sunset Boulevard alongside famous artists such as John Mayer and Slash.

There is more. The lucky winner will get real publicity for being featured on this Guitar Center storefront. The Rockstar Experience winner will be featured in a story in an upcoming issue of Skinnie Entertainment Magazine (www.SkinnieMagazine.com) – a leading free publication for music, sports, fashion and lifestyle, reaching the young adults of Southern California and Las Vegas for over seven years. Top this off with an appearance of the winner in the popular Flash section of SPIN – the leading music lifestyle magazine with the popular online site www.SPIN.com – and you have the ultimate rock star exposure package.

In addition, the winning bidder will receive a day in a top Los Angeles recording studio with the assistance of a top engineer and production team, a component that, alone, is valued at thousands of dollars. Bennett Music/Sanctum LA is offering one full lockout day of studio time with esteemed head engineer Gary Lux. Gary’s credits include mixing for Usher, Janet Jackson, Rob Thomas, and Ben Harper, among others. Sanctum LA will offer production services as well by the in-house production team of Leo Mellace and Steve Catizone, whose credits include Wyclef Jean, JoJo, Earth Wind & Fire, Ludacris, Damian Marley, Fuel, and Sully Erna of Godsmack, among others. Bennett Group’s men’s lifestyle and entertainment network, MEN7 (www.MEN7.tv), is a proud sponsor of this charity auction.

The winning bidder will also receive a signed copy of Robert Knights’ new book “Rock Gods: Forty Years of Rock Photography.” Robert Knight is best known for his “Guitar Legend” archive, having worked with such artists as Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Clapton, as well as such contemporary artists as John Mayer, Tom Morello, and John-5.

The highly anticipated auction also includes rare memorabilia and once-in-a-lifetime experiences with rock legends. Items included are a John Mayer Signature Stratocaster autographed by John Mayer himself; a guitar signed by Velvet Revolver band members Slash, Duff McKagan, Dave Kushner, Matt Sorum and Scott Weiland; and a Zildjian gong signed by the Zildjian artists present at the 2006 Winter NAMM show, including Matt Cameron (Soundgarden and Pearl Jam), Mick Fleetwood, The Goo Goo Dolls, Eric Singer from KISS, Stephen Perkins from Jane’s Addiction and Porno for Pyros, Atom Willard from Angels & Airwaves, and many more.

The celebrity experiences include a one-on-one drum lesson and/or meet and greet with Danny Seraphine, one of the most highly respected rock drummers, rated by the legendary Buddy Rich as one of his favorite young drummers. He was the drummer, percussionist and a founding member of the multi-million selling, Grammy award winning band Chicago. Also offered is a guitar lesson and/or meet and greet at with Don Felder, the lead guitarist of the Eagles from 1974 until their breakup in 1980, then from their reunion in 1994 to his firing in 2001. In addition this auction is offering a choice of a meet and greet or a personal one-on-one drum lesson with Alan White, a member of Yes since 1972, who has also performed with a variety of artists, including a recent set alongside Keith Emerson, Chris Squire, and Simon Kirke for the Ahmet Ertegun memorial show, as the opening act for Led Zeppelin. The winner will also have the opportunity to perform with White and a celebrity band in concert. The last package up for auction includes a limited edition, hand-painted Gibson Custom guitar inspired by the Jimi Hendrix Psychedelic Flying V Jimi purchased in 1967 and played during his Europe tour in 1967 and 1968. The guitar was signed by his sister, Janie Hendrix, and is serial number 001 of 300 of the limited edition. This item will be presented to the winning bidder by Janie Hendrix herself.

The Guitar Center Music Foundation is a public nonprofit organization created to provide funding and resources for music education programs across America so that kids and adults alike will have an opportunity to experience the joys of making music. Instruments and equipment are granted to programs throughout the year to school music programs, after-school music programs and music therapy programs. Visit www.guitarcentermusicfoundation.org to learn more.

Signed Eagles Guitars On Sale For Conservation

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:30:00 -0000

A limited number of Takamine acoustic guitars, hand-signed by the Eagles, are being made available for charity.

The guitars – signed by Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Glenn Frey, and Timothy B. Schmidt – will benefit the Walden Woods Project, a nonprofit group headquartered near Boston. The organization is leading the fight to preserve historic Walden Woods — the birthplace of the American conservation movement and the setting for Henry David Thoreau’s famous writings on the environment and social reform. The Walden Woods Project’s national and international programs for teachers and students are designed to provide the next generation with the education and motivation they will need to meet the global environmental challenges of the 21st century.

The instruments come in two different colors – natural and black – and are available through the Eagles website for US$2,500.

Chevy Chase To Host Waxman Gala

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Chevy Chase is to host the 11th annual Collaborating for the Cure dinner and auction in New York on November 20.

The event will benefit the Institute Without Walls cancer research programs supported by the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, and attracts over 1200 people every year.

This year’s musical entertainment will be Steely Dan, and an auction will give attendees the chance to bid on private yacht cruises, wine and dine with celebrities, and stay in some of the world’s most exclusive hotels and lodges. These will be listed on CharityBuzz.com nearer to the big night.

Recent events to raise money for the foundation have garnered the support of the Eagles’ Joe Walsh and Glenn Frey, as well as the Counting Crows, Lyle Lovett, and John Fogarty.

Ticket information can be found at the Waxman website.

Grammy Auction Has Something For Everybody

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Another incredible Grammy auction benefiting MusiCares is currently running on eBay, giving bidders the opportunity to pick up some very special memorabilia for a good cause.

The 51st annual Grammy Awards will take place in February next year, and to celebrate there are all sorts of exciting items on offer. Maybe you fancy books signed by Ringo Starr, John Legend, Tom Jones, Tony Bennett, Nelly Furtado, Little Richard, or Carole King, or postcards signed by Rihanna. Or perhaps you would be more interested in grabbing a guitar signed by Stevie Wonder, Coldplay, or the Eagles’ Joe Walsh. Or, if strumming chords seems too hard and you want to hear real musicians play, you might want to make a bid on tickets to see Bette Midler, America, or 3 Doors Down. Whatever your taste, the auction has something for you.

So head over to the eBay Grammys Auction now to find yourself a once-in-a-lifetime bargain to raise money for MusiCares, an organization that 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.

The auction runs until July 31.

Angelina Jolie Donates Jacket To Charity Auction

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Angelina Jolie is auctioning off clothes she wore in her latest film to benefit a charity established by Morgan Freeman.

Plan!t Now is an organization that provides people, communities, and companies with the information they need to protect their families, homes, businesses, resources, and documents from the effects of storm and hurricane-related disasters, and the new online auction features a range of celebrity-donated items to raise money to help those in need.

Jolie has donated the jacket she wore onscreen during her up-coming feature Wanted to the cause, and Freeman – her co-star in the movie – has put up opportunities to meet him at his latest theatre appearance and also to join him in a round of golf. George Clooney has donated an autographed pair of boots, and there are also chances to attend concerts by Keith Urban and Eric Clapton.

The auction, which runs on the Charity Folks website, runs until July 1.

Fans of the Eagles should also head over to Charity Folks to check out some of the signed merchandise up for grabs from the classic rockers. There’s a signed guitar, poster, and Long Road Out Of Eden CD on offer, with proceeds going to the National Kidney Foundation. But be quick, that auction ends tomorrow.

Celebrities Hair the Call of Charity

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 13:44:09 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

When most people think of Ken Paves, they think of big hair. The “hairstylist of the stars”, dubbed by the world’s media as the “hottest hairdresser in Hollywood”, is the man responsible for taming the locks of celebrities such as Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Lopez, Eva Longoria, and many more of the most beautiful people on the planet.

But now the stylist with the golden scissors has moved from big hair to big give with a new online auction he has organized through the Kompolt Online Auction Agency.

Inspired by the good deeds being achieved by the hit series “Oprah’s Big Give”, Paves has teamed up with a host of his celebrity friends to launch what could be the hottest auction this year, with all proceeds going to the EB Medical Research Foundation. So if it is once-in-a-lifetime celebrity items and experiences you want, hold on to your toupées and read on.

The auction, which can be accessed through eBay, runs until April 7, and features items from stars such as Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Sharon Stone, Marcia Cross, Bette Midler, and the Eagles. There are signed posters from Jessica Simpson, Eva Longoria, Carmen Electra, and John Travolta, and enough autographed photographs to cover the inside of even the biggest make-up trailer, including snaps from Courteney Cox, Jewel, and Christina Aguilera. And if it is clothes you are after, why not bid on a T-shirt signed by David Arquette, Ashlee Simpson, or Pete Wentz, a soccer jersey autographed by David Beckham, or slip into Victoria Beckham’s jeans.

If that is not enough to send shivers of anticipation through any star-hungry bidder, there is also the opportunity to snap up concert tickets – including meet-and-greets – to shows by Duran Duran and Céline Dion, as well as the chance to hang out with Ashlee Simpson and to visit the set of Scrubs with Donald Faison. There is even the opportunity to take a trip to Ken Paves’ salon with Eva Longoria.

Paves, who is also a spokesperson for Operation Smile, has chosen the EB Medical Research Foundation to recieve 100% of the proceeds from the auction.

The EBMRF is dedicated to increasing awareness of Epidermolysis Bullosa, a condition that affects the skin and can cause painful wounds, similar to burns, to form over up to 75% of a child’s body. Courteney Cox and David Arquette recently pledged to raise $1 million for the foundation.
More information about the disease, as well as the opportunity to purchase a special necklace designed by Cox and Arquette, can be found at www.ebkids.org.

Eric Clapton - Standing At The Crossroads Of Addiction

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:00:16 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Although regarded by many as one of the best rock and blues guitarists to ever live, Eric Clapton is a man who has suffered for his art. But the succession of addictions and the tragic personal dramas have not stopped the legend from becoming one of the most successful performers in the world today, and have fueled his desire to help those who face the same problems in their daily struggle to survive.

Clapton was born in 1945, in Surrey, England. He was raised by his grandmother and grew up believing his mother was actually his older sister – she was only 16 when he was born. He eventually found out the truth when he was 9 years old, and he took it hard. He became shy and lonely, and took solace in the only thing he could find stability in – blues music.

A proficiency with the guitar led the young teenager to join a band called The Yardbirds in 1963, and the group started to attract a large cult following when they took over the Rolling Stones’ residency at the Crawdaddy Club in Richmond. Clapton played on The Yardbirds first hit record, “For Your Love”, before leaving the band in 1965 due to their pop-orientated musical direction.

Before he left, however, Clapton started his long association with benefit concerts by joining Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page for a series of 12 gigs in support of Action For Research Into Multiple Sclerosis, a cause he has continued to support over the years.

A brief stint in “John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers” was followed by Clapton’s first shot at the big time – he formed “Cream” with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. A string of hits – such as “Sunshine of Your Love”, “White Room”, and “Crossroads” – was unleashed on a music scene where the likes of Jimi Hendrix and The Who were creating a psychedelic stir. Drugs fueled the industry, and Clapton started to feel their attractive lure. It was a relationship that was destined for disaster.

Cream disbanded in 1968, and Clapton spent his time in bands such as “Blind Faith” and “Derek And The Dominos”. He also found a solid friendship with George Harrison, guitarist for The Beatles.

By the time Clapton kicked off his solo career in 1970, he was drinking heavily and was addicted to heroin. His personality became erratic and his live shows suffered as a result. He became reclusive, only leaving his house to secure more drugs and to perform at the occasional benefit concert – during George Harrison’s Concert For Bangladesh in 1972, Clapton passed out on stage.

If something was not done quickly, Clapton’s friends could see that he would go the same way as Hendrix and many other stars caught up in the drug culture. Pete Townshend, guitarist for The Who, organized a comeback for Clapton to help him beat his addictions in 1973. Although Clapton returned to his art for the rest of the decade, releasing some of his greatest hits, he would not truly kick his alcohol and drug habits until the mid-1980s. He contemplated taking his own life on several occasions, but was only stopped by the realization that if he were dead, he would not be able to drink anymore.

“I thought there was something otherworldly about the whole culture of drinking, that being drunk made me a member of some strange, mysterious club,” Clapton told The Today Show recently. “The stuff that happened to me as a child made me totally insular — I thought I could do all of this on my own. It wasn’t until I was quite a bit older that I finally did ask for help.”

Help came through the continuing support of friends such as Phil Collins, who reestablished a love of music and a sense of self-worth in the artist. In 1989, after two decades of struggling to take control of his inner demons, Clapton declared himself sober and released “Journeyman”, a critically acclaimed album that proved he was back at the top of his game.

Throughout the 1990s, Clapton worked quietly to help others who had fallen into the dark world of addiction. In 1998, he opened the doors to the Crossroads Centre, a facility located on the beautiful Caribbean island of Antigua, dedicated to helping those who suffer from chemical abuse.

“My vision was to create a centre of the highest caliber to treat people of the Caribbean and throughout the world,” he said. "The centre would be staffed with experienced and internationally recognized professionals. The cost of treatment would be held to the lowest possible level, ensuring affordability and accessibility. And most importantly, this non-profit centre would provide treatment scholarships for people of the Caribbean region and around the world.

“Crossroads is like no other treatment centre. It is the perfect place to begin the road of recovery and utilizes a combination of effective therapies to address addiction and recovery, while capturing the spiritual serenity that many have found unique to Antigua. Within the serene, healing atmosphere individuals participate in a structured 29-day residential 12 step based program that allows clients to experience a whole person wellness approach to recovery.”

Since the Crossroads Centre was opened, Clapton has held two sales of his own guitars to raise money for the non-profit venture – which generated a total of $12 million – and he has also organized two Crossroads Guitar Festivals, featuring stars such as Sheryl Crow and Vince Gill. To kick off 2008, Clapton joined Pete Townshend, Ringo Starr, and Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh at a gig held in a bar in Surrey, to raise money for various Alcoholics Anonymous groups.

As a human being, Clapton will never forget the struggle to beat his addictions, but he believes the only way to get through it all is to keep moving forward.

“In the last couple of years there’s been more action in my life, and drama, than I would have wished for. But I think I’ve learned something from it all. I can’t say tangibly what it is, except that I’m happy to be me and to have survived.”

For more information on how to help those who suffer from addictions, visit www.crossroadsantigua.org.

2007 - The Year The Stars Gave Back

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:11:14 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

2007 was a year of giving, both on grand and not-so-grand scales. Celebrities from all fields, be it movies, music, sport or general entertainment, showed compassion beyond the call of duty, and in most cases had a lot of fun doing it.

Without a doubt, one of the biggest events of the year was Live Earth in July, where stars new and old shone in all of the corners of the Earth to raise awareness of the plight of the planet. The shows were generally well-received, and led to organizer Al Gore winning the Nobel Peace Prize.

But celebrities also participated in smaller, more personal acts of kindness in 2007. Harrison Ford, Calista Flockhart, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Melissa Gilbert, and Michael Douglas all donated their time to feed the hungry at the Los Angeles Mission, Fran Drescher launched the Cancer Schmancer Movement, and Ewan McGregor visited UNICEF projects during his epic motorcycle trip across Africa.

In January, Kevin Bacon launched www.sixdegrees.org, a website designed to marry the concepts of social internet networks and charities. The site aims to help people fundraise for their chosen causes, and features celebrities such as Kyra Sedgwick and Ashley Judd.

Bette Midler, founder of the New York Restoration Project, launched the Million Trees NYC initiative with Mayor Michael Bloomberg in October, to get city dwellers to plant more trees. The project plans to increase New York’s urban forest by 20% in the next ten years.

“To walk under the branches of a tree that you have planted connects you to the roots of our past and the aspirations of our future,” said the 62-year-old singer and actress.

Another singer with a sense of community in 2007 was Jon Bon Jovi who, as well as participating in various benefit concerts, also worked with Project HOME to revitalize a deteriorated lot in Philadelphia and transform it into homes for fifteen families.

And then there was Shakira, co-founder of the Latin America for Solidarity Fund and Pies Descalzos, who donated $40 million to victims of natural disasters in Peru and Nicaragua, and another $5 million to benefit education programs for children across Latin America.

The California wildfires that ravaged much of the state in November also spawned a spate of celebrity donations, with Linkin Park, the Eagles, and Gwen Stefani all making substantial contributions to both victims and firefighters.

American Idol gave back in April, with two shows that raised over $60 million to benefit organizations funding relief programs in America and Africa, featuring performances by Kelly Clarkson, Madonna, and others. Organized by Simon Cowell, American Idol Gives Back also led to a $100,000 donation by talk show host Ellen DeGeneres.

Another talk show host to shine this year was Oprah Winfrey, who opened a state-of-the-art school in South Africa for disadvantaged girls.

“I am creating everything in this school that I would have wanted for myself—so the girls will have the absolute best that my imagination can offer,” said the 53-year-old, who poured $40 million of her own money into the project.

Brad Pitt took on the mission of rebuilding New Orleans by donating $5 million towards new houses, and also set up the Make It Right Foundation to assist in his work. Meanwhile, his wife Angelina Jolie set out to do what her character Lara Croft does best – save the world. As well as donating $100,000 to build the Duk Lost Boys Medical Clinic in the Sudan in March, Jolie also traveled to Iraq and Syria to raise support for those displaced by war.

Although literally tonnes of articles were written about Jolie’s efforts during 2007, even more was reported on Don Cheadle’s and George Clooney’s work to publicize the humanitarian crisis in Darfur. The stars of Ocean’s Thirteen established a charity for the Sudanese region called Not On Our Watch, and personally raised over $9 million to help those affected by conflict in the region. The pair were awarded a special peace prize by Nobel laureates for their efforts.

And no round up of the year’s events can be complete without mention of Bono, who continued being Bono by doing what Bono does best – raising awareness for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the needy, and the disadvantaged.

We at Look To The Stars would like to wish all of our readers a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year, and we look forward to continuing to bring you celebrity charity news in 2008.

Don Henley Gets To The Heart Of The Matter

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 08:28:52 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The music of the Eagles is many things to many people, reminding some of their youth, and others of the canyons and deserts that make up the wild, untouched areas of America. And now fans have the chance to own a piece of music history, with the proceeds going to save the wide open areas the band’s songs represent.

Until December 31, the Eagles are offering hand-signed Takamine guitars to benefit the Walden Woods Project, an organization that is leading the fight to preserve a historic area of forest, generally regarded as being the birthplace of the American conservation movement.

The project was founded by Eagles drummer and six time Grammy winner, Don Henley, in 1990 to protect the Walden Woods area in Massachusetts from development. He spent much of his own money on buying tracts of land and making the area into a nature reserve. The area served as the inspiration for the writings of 19th Century philosopher, Henry David Thoreau, and also guided the creation of the US National Parks system. The project seeks to preserve the area, and also offers a variety of environmental programs for students and teachers. The organization recently launched an international initiative in which students from the US and abroad can take part in environmental discussions, and also mentors them in undertaking stewardship projects in their own communities.

“It has protected nearly 140 acres of land surrounding Walden Pond,” said Henley, referring to the project in Philanthropy Magazine. “About 65 percent of Walden Woods’ 2,680 acres is now permanently in conservation, but other historically significant and environmentally sensitive tracts are in urgent need of protection.”

The founding of the Walden Woods project led Henley to establish the Caddo Lake Institute in 1993, to underwrite ecological education and research around Caddo Lake, an area in north-east Texas, close to the Louisiana border. Caddo Lake, well known for its exceptional wildlife, fishing, and bird diversity, is one of the best examples in the southern US of a mature Bald Cypress forest, and the Institute aims to protect the area for all time from developers.

“Caddo Lake, like so many other ecosystems around the world, is in trouble. The health of Caddo’s intricate system of wetlands is in jeopardy. We, as humans, need to reformulate our definition of ‘community’ to include all of the natural world rather than just humankind. We need to focus on the small details in order to gain perspective on the bigger picture. Our natural resources, besides having enormous recreational and spiritual value, form the basis of our entire economy. The exploitation of those resources is key to our standard of living, but we’re not doing it wisely. We are using up our natural capital, especially water, faster than nature can replace it. This is why we emphasize the concept of sustainability at the Caddo Lake Institute.”

Henley says he first became an environmental activist in the 1970s, “That was part and parcel of being in a band back then. The activism of some of my peers, including Neil Young, Jackson Browne, and Bonnie Raitt, was a big influence on me.”

His first benefit concert was for the Chumash Indians, a tribe native to Southern California. Gradually, he became more involved in the environmental issues the tribe represented, and soon started to concentrate on other areas of concern. His first real effort at doing something active came in 1982 with the establishment of Mulholland Tomorrow, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the Santa Monica Mountains and foothills near Los Angeles. Since then he has been involved with a myriad of benefit concerts for the environment, often joining Sting and Billy Joel on stage.

“It’s about passion,” explained the singer. “Passion for building communities – at both the local and global levels. Nature is a part of my spiritual life. When I see nature, I see a divinity that sustains my heart and soul. Nature is a divine force in the universe.”

In 2000, Henley co-founded the Recording Artists Coalition with Sheryl Crow, to protect musicians’ rights against common music industry practices, and in this role testified before the US Senate Committee on the Judiciary in 2001, and the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in 2003. In 2005, his wife, Sharon Summerall, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and the couple is now actively involved with organizations that assist with treatment for the disease.

In 2007, Henley was made MusiCares Person of the Year for his commitment to conservation, and raised over $85,000 for the charity by auctioning hand written lyrics to his songs, as well as other memorabilia from his career.

But the singer still wishes he could do more to save the natural heart of the country he loves.

“I have an abiding sense of awe and curiosity about the world – and I care deeply about the future of it,” he said. “I don’t put a lot of thought into whether or not I am a role model for other people’s actions. My parents taught me that if something needed doing, you get up and do it. I’ve had a great deal of help with the Walden Woods Project, not only from friends and colleagues, but from people I hardly know. I do not like to ask for help and I really have an aversion to asking for money. I wish I had the resources to do all that I want to do – to do everything that needs doing.”

The signed Eagles guitars are only available from www.samsclub.com for $2,500 each.

Bid Now For Christmas Gifts

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:21:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

The countdown to Christmas has begun, and celebrities are doing their best to make holiday shopping easy this year. Several charity auctions have already kicked off to raise money for good causes, including one that may be eBay’s largest sale of celebrity items… ever!

The BID 2 BEAT AIDS online auction will open on December 1, World AIDS Day, and will feature over 1000 specially signed items, ranging from posters to iPods. The annual auction will raise money for LIFEbeat, the music industry’s AIDS fundraising and service charity, and in the past has raised up to $175,000.

The array of memorabilia up for sale this year is simply colossal, with perhaps the most interesting items being a series of “Lend a Hand to LIFEbeat” cards that feature the handprints of over 100 celebrities. Stars such as Britney Spears, Jack Black, and Kathy Griffin traced around the outlines of their hands and decorated their artworks for the auction, and the finished products will make a unique addition to any Christmas stocking.

Also included in the auction is a selection of signed musical instruments. Rapper 50 Cent has donated the tambourines he used during his performance at the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards, and Metallica and the Foo Fighters have both donated guitars. There are also over 200 official RIAA gold and platinum record awards up for sale, from artists such as Annie Lennox, Jon Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Green Day. Rare tour crew jackets from Guns N Roses, Cher, George Michael, and Prince are also available.

There are a stack of autographed CDs and DVDs on offer in the auction, from Mariah Carey, Elton John, Rihanna, Fall Out Boy, Maroon 5, Amy Winehouse, and Val Kilmer, as well as books signed by Madonna, Bill Clinton, Rosie O’Donnell, Martha Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Ethan Hawke. Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Elijah Wood, and Usher have all signed posters for the auction.

For those people after something a little different, the auction also includes an iPod designed by Yoko Ono, a box of cereal signed by Will Ferrell, Borat’s hat signed by Sacha Baron Cohen, and a Spiderman action figure autographed by Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst.

And if nothing mentioned so far whets your appetite, there are also signed items from Jessica Biel, Jessica Alba, Nelly, Joan Collins, John Travolta, Kanye West, The Cure, Jay-Z, Cameron Diaz, Victoria Beckham, Robin Williams, Hilary Duff, Jason Alexander, Jack Nicholson, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Adam Sandler, John Legend, Jessica Simpson, Whoopi Goldberg, Aerosmith, Denzel Washington, Good Charlotte, James Blunt, Jeremy Piven, Matt Damon, Heath Ledger, Norah Jones, Razorlight, Wyclef Jean, and many more… far too many to list here.

More information and a full list of items can be found at www.bid2beataids.com.

As if this wasn’t enough choice for Christmas shoppers, there are also several other auctions and events on the go at the moment. The biggest of these is the 10th Annual Collaborating For A Cure Benefit Dinner and Auction, a massive black tie gala to be held on November 29. It also happens to be one of the highest grossing charity events held every year in New York, and last year raised over $4 million for the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, a non-profit organization that has provided over $55 million in grants to cancer research, and has been instrumental in the development of new cancer drugs.

The gala dinner and live auction will be held at the 69th Regiment Armory on Lexington Avenue, New York City, and over 1200 guests are expected to attend. The host for the evening is Chevy Chase, and attendees will be treated to a very special performance by Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh, members of 70’s rock group, the Eagles.

Selected items up for auction on the night as well as online include dinner with Chevy Chase, the chance to play tennis with Andre Agassi, and a meet and greet with Aerosmith.

More information can be found at www.charitybuzz.com.

Also on the Charitybuzz website is an auction to raise funding for Stand Up For A Cure, an organization dedicated to lung cancer research and awareness.

The auction runs from November 28 until December 12, and features unique items such as the chance to have Andrea Bocelli perform in your own home, the opportunity to have Patti LaBelle host your cocktail party, and VIP tickets to see Céline Dion at Madison Square Gardens.

And if you still can’t find a suitable gift, have a look at the Have A Heart Auction on Charitybuzz. All proceeds from the auction, which features the chance to meet Avril Lavigne, a copy of “An Inconvenient Truth” signed by Al Gore, and a “Godfather II” DVD signed by Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro, will benefit HEART, an organization that aims to foster compassion and respect for all living beings.

But you have to be in quick, as the auction ends on November 29.

Stars Line Up For Wildfire Auction

Thu, 08 Nov 2007 10:19:45 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

An exciting new auction, featuring memorabilia from rock bands young and old, has been launched on eBay to raise funds and awareness for victims of the recent Californian wildfires.

Rockers Linkin Park, and their charitable foundation Music for Relief, have teamed up with the non-profit organization Unite The United to stage the auction, which runs on eBay Giving Works until November 15. Proceeds from the auction are to be donated to the California Community Foundation’s Southern California Relief Fund, which is working hard in the aftermath of the wildfires to support victims and firefighters. A portion of the money raised will also go to American Forests, an organization that will help with the reforestation of 800 square miles of greenery destroyed in the fires that raged for over two weeks from Santa Barbara County to the Mexican border.

Over 60 items, including signed instruments and concert tickets, are up for sale in the auction, which follows an earlier donation of $50,000 made by Linkin Park to wildfire victims. This was followed by a donation from classic rockers the Eagles, also of $50,000, made to the firefighters involved in stopping the fires, and $160,000 donated to the cause by Gwen Stefani.

Some of the items in the auction have already raised bids of $1000, including an Xbox 360 game console featuring artwork and signatures from Linkin Park. The Eagles have donated signed CDs, as have stadium favorites Chicago. Aerosmith has donated a drum kit signed by singer Steven Tyler, and other merchandise from artists as diverse as Madonna, Tori Amos, Green Day, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Smashing Pumpkins, Rob Zombie, and Less Than Jake is available to the highest bidder.

Linkin Park, known for their nu metal albums Hybrid Theory and Meteora, founded Music For Relief in 2005 to provide aid to victims of natural disasters, and have in the past donated over $2 million to causes such as Hurricane Katrina and the Tsunami in South East Asia. Singer Chester Bennington decided to join together with the Unite The United Foundation, whose mission is to encourage music fans, artists, and industry leaders to work towards positive changes in the community, after being moved by images of the wildfires that left 90 people injured, 12 dead, and destroyed over 2000 homes and buildings. Over 900,000 people were evacuated during the fires, and the band hopes the proceeds from the auction will be used to aid the victims in their intermediate and long-term recovery, especially in terms of the provision of affordable housing.

The auction can be viewed at www.ebay.com/cawildfires.

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