As anticipation builds for the star-studded second annual “ABOVE GROUND” benefit concert, Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction) and Billy Morrison (Billy Idol) are excited to announce that Jack Black and Ministry’s Al Jourgensen have joined the bill for the Monday, September 16 benefit at The Fonda Theatre in Hollywood. Additional new guests also include Brad Wilk (Prophets of Rage), Carmine Rojas (David Bowie), Chris Chaney (Jane’s Addiction), Franky Perez (Deadland Ritual), Twiggy, Dave Kushner (Velvet Revolver), Mixi Demner (Stitched Up Heart), Jason Christopher, Erik Eldenius & Paul Trudeau (Billy Idol), Donovan Leitch and Julie Mintz. The immersive evening of art and music will celebrate the vinyl album as an art form, and at the same time raise awareness and funds for the treatment of mental health, with the profits being donated to MusiCares®, a charity of the Recording Academy™ that was established to safeguard the health and well-being of all music people.
“Billy and I feel that this amazing group of artists will create an incredible event,” Navarro says. “And we hope you will be a part of it with us for a night of art and music and support for mental health awareness and Musicares.”
Black and Jourgensen join a line-up that includes host (actor) Tom Arnold and musicians Billy Idol, Perry Farrell and Etty Lau Farrell (Kind Heaven Orchestra), Gavin Rossdale (Bush), Steve Stevens, Juliette Lewis, Steve Vai, Billy Duffy (The Cult), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Mike Garson (the legendary and longtime keyboardist for David Bowie including his role in the Spiders From Mars line-up). The performers will tip their hats to two of the greatest albums of all time: David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and the Stooges’ self-titled debut album (celebrating its 50th anniversary this month), on which the world was introduced to Iggy Pop.
Tickets for the event are on sale now. Click here to buy tickets. “ABOVE GROUND” is being produced with assistance from Law Rocks, which promotes music education programs. During the intermission between performances, there will be speeches from people in the mental health field along with art items for auction, live graffiti from prominent street artists including @Teachr1, @PlasticJesus, @VYALone and @MegZany, and information booths.
