UPDATE: Dec. 8, 2015
On Saturday, Dec. 12, the Benefit For Tony MacAlpine concert--featuring Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan, Derek Sherinian and John 5--will take place at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles. That Metal Show host Eddie Trunk will serve as master of ceremonies.
Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme) and Richie Kotzen (The Winery Dogs) are joining the line-up as part of the all-star jam.
In addition, a wealth of items will be available for auction at the show. Non LA-based fans can also bid by visiting tonymacalpine.com/benefitfortony day-of-show through Dec. 19. Auction items include:
• Personal guitars donated by Steve Vai, KISS, Steve Lukather, Joe Satriani, Steven Stevens, Paul Gilbert, Joe Bonamassa, John Petrucci, Tom Morello, Richie Kotzen, Vinnie Moore and Jeff Loomis
• Signature snare drums from Simon Phillips, Gregg Bissonette, Mike Portnoy and Eric Singer
• Signature bass from Billy Sheehan
• Personal bass lessons with Rudy Sarzo
• Stage outfit worn by John 5 on the Rob Zombie tour
• A balcony stateroom and two Gold VIP packages from the Axes & Anchors Cruise (Feb. 20 – 24, 2016)
MacAlpine’s gear manufacturers—Ibanez, Hughes & Kettner, EMG, Ernie Ball, Source Audio, Voodoo Lab and Xotic Effects—have also generously donated equipment to be raffled off at the show.
All proceeds will be collected on behalf of guitar/keyboard virtuoso Tony MacAlpine, who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer, and his family (his wife was recently diagnosed with breast cancer).
Tickets are on sale now via LiveNation: livemu.sc/1Ma3x6u.
Fans who would like to contribute to the cause can visit gofundme.com/BenefitForTony.
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Guitar legends Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde and John 5, along with drum powerhouse Mike Portnoy, bass icon Billy Sheehan and keyboard phenomenon Derek Sherinian are joining forces to play a benefit concert for guitar and keyboard virtuoso Tony MacAlpine, who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer, which comes on the heels of his wife’s diagnosis with breast cancer in June.
The Benefit for Tony MacAlpine will take place at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles on Dec. 12 at 7:00 p.m., featuring performances from John 5 & The Creatures, Wylde with Portnoy, Sheehan and Sherinian, Vai and band and culminating in an all-star jam with house band: Portnoy, Sheehan, Sherinian and additional special guests. Eddie Trunk will serve as master of ceremonies for the night.
Vai, John 5, Paul Gilbert, Joe Bonamassa, Steve Lukather, Steve Stevens and Joe Satriani have all donated personal guitars to be auctioned during the event. In addition, Rudy Sarzo has offered private lessons as an auction item, and Simon Phillips has donated a signature snare. MacAlpine’s gear manufacturers Ibanez, Hughes & Kettner, EMG, Ernie Ball, Source Audio and Voodoo Lab have also donated equipment to be raffled.
“Tony is a dear friend, an absolutely sweet human being and one of the most talented musicians I've ever worked with,” says Portnoy.
“We are coming together to help raise money and awareness to help him fight his battle and come out on top!” adds Steve Vai. “It's a great privilege to take to the stage with my friends Zakk, John, Mike and Billy in support of our dear friend Tony. Tony has always been blessed with an exceptional talent and more so, he's an exceptionally cool guy. It's a great cause and will be a magical evening of guitar extravaganza.”
“Tony has been such an inspiration to me,” said John 5. “He is an incredible musician and an unbelievable talent. Please let's all come together and beat this!”
"Tony is our brother. We look forward to making a historical night and raising a lot of money to help our friend in need,” commented Sherinian.
MacAlpine is widely known as a guitar virtuoso who is just as skilled on the keys. Edge of Insanity, his classic debut album, was recently ranked by Guitar World magazine as one of the “Top Ten Shred Guitar Albums” of all time. Aside from his solo work, he has also been part of several rock supergroups including Planet X with Sherinian and Virgil Donati; PSMS (Portnoy/Sheehan/MacAlpine/Sherinian); as well as the Grammy-nominated CAB with bassist Bunny Brunel and drummer Dennis Chambers. MacAlpine also spent seven years playing guitar and keys in Vai‘s touring band The Breed.
The guitarist’s most recent album Concrete Gardens was released in May. He toured the U.S. in June to promote the album, but was forced to cancel tours of Asia, Australia and Europe when his health deteriorated.
Tickets are on sale through Live Nation, with all proceeds going to help MacAlpine and his family. A GoFundMe campaign will be set up for fans who can’t make the show, but still want to contribute.
Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. with the show set to begin at 8:00 p.m. For tickets, visit livenation.com.
