“Adopt the Arts”
A Night Honoring
Billy Gibbons & Butch Trucks
It is not overly difficult to find Rock and Roll legends playing in and around Los Angeles and Hollywood during any given week. Monday night, however, was very special in that several of these legends showed up in the same room to jam with, and honor, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top) and Butch Trucks (Allman Brothers Band) for their contributions to the arts and culture.
I’m not certain about the number of lucky fans that made it in to this event, but with a maximum capacity of 500 (without the floor seating that this crowd enjoyed!), the Roxy in Hollywood served as a very intimate setting for an evening of smash hits performed by amazing musicians. A “private party” atmosphere was further enhanced by the bustling bars, tasty hors d’ oeuvres and the auctions, both live and silent, which featured autographed Fender and Gibson guitars, drumheads, photos, artwork and more. (More than one musician made remarks insisting the backstage party was reminding them of the raging days of old.) The night not only celebrated Gibbons and Trucks, it raised over $100,000 to benefit music programs in Los Angeles Unified School
District elementary schools.
Matt Sorum, Slash, Duff McKagan, Richie Sambora, Billy Gibbons, Butch Trucks, Edgar Winter, Steve Lukather, Orianthi, Billy Duffy and many others were on hand to bust through signature ZZ Top and Allman Brothers Band tunes. A set of ZZ Top classics featured songs such as “Tush,” “Cheap Sunglasses.” “La Grange” and “Jesus Just Left Chicago,” while the Allman Brothers Band set included hits like “Whipping Post,” “Midnight Rider,” “One Way Out,” “Stormy Monday” and “Statesboro Blues.” The capacity crowd was not disappointed. These distinguished musicians Rocked the place!
Co-founded by Matt Sorum (of Velvet Revolver and Guns N’ Roses fame) and activist Abby Berman in 2010, “Adopt the Arts” aims to preserve arts programs in public schools. The non-profit uses opportunities such as this event to honor those, like Gibbons and Trucks, who have made a substantial and lasting impact on music culture. The group simultaneously raises awareness of their “Adopt The Arts” cause. By “adopting” schools, the group helps to ensure that students in underserved schools receive instruction in the arts, including music, dance, theater and visual arts. “Adopt The Arts” has a winning formula here. Honoring individuals who have made important contributions to the arts, while bringing together sublime talent, major industry power and the few lucky fans, works very well. If Monday night was any indication, these events will be remembered (by the fans and talent alike) as one-of-a-kind opportunities to enjoy incredible music by illustrious musicians, in intimate, party-like settings. Raising serious cash, for a very meaningful cause, all the while!
Hats off to Billy Gibbons, Butch Trucks and “Adopt The Arts” for this unforgettable evening of music and entertainment!
– John G. Tobin
