Friday, September 27, 2013

SCHOOL ROCKS BENEFIT CONCERT WITH CO-HEADLINERS BRIAN WILSON AND JEFF BECK



Rockers AND BUSINESS LEADERS SUPPORT 
School Rocks BENEFIT Concert WITH CO-HEADLINERS
Brian Wilson and Jeff Beck
House of Blues October 29th Benefiting San Miguel School Chicago

CHICAGO, September 23, 2013 — Rockers and business leaders are showing their support for San Miguel School Chicago, the “Little School That Could”, located in the Back of The Yards neighborhood on the South Side. 

Returning School Rocks Celebrity co-chairs lending their support to the event include Larry Wert, President/Broadcast Media of the Tribune Company, Howard Tullman, Chairman/Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy, Chicago rock legends JY Young of Styx, Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick, Joey Molland of Badfinger, Mike Arturi of The Lovin’ Spoonful, and Jim Peterik of the Ides of March and Survivor.

Celebrity co-chair newcomers represent Chicago’s rock & roll past and present, including Jimy Sohns and John Roberts of The Shadows of Knight, James Fairs and Jim Pilster of The Cryan’ Shames, Mimi Betinis, John Pazdan & Mick Rain of Pezband, Brad Elvis & Chloe Orwell of The Handcuffs, and Mike & Katie Redmond of The Redmonds.  For good measure the co-chairs are joined by Jim McCarty, founding member/drummer/vocalist of The Yardbirds – though not a Chicagoan, McCarty and the Yardbirds were deeply influenced by the Chicago blues scene and eventually recorded at the fabled Chess Studios at 2120 S. Michigan Avenue during the Jeff Beck lineup years.

All the Celebrity co-chairs are fans of legendary Grammy® Award winners and music icons Brian Wilson and Jeff Beck who will perform at the 7th annual School Rocks benefit concert on Tuesday, October 29th, 2013, at Chicago’s House of Blues. 100% of the proceeds will provide scholarships and community support to inner-city students at San Miguel School Chicago.

JY Young vividly recalls seeing Jeff Beck perform in Chicago during his Yardbirds and Jeff Beck Group days, and released a 1985 solo album, “City Slicker”, with Jan Hammer, Jeff Beck’s collaborator on his groundbreaking rock-fusion LP, “Wired”.  The influence of Brian Wilson’s vocal harmonies and Beck’s guitar virtuosity can be heard in James Fairs’ songwriting with the Cryan’ Shames.

Tickets for the School Rocks benefit concert are $300 and available at www.SanMiguelRocks.org or 773.890.0233.

Since 2007, the School Rocks benefit concerts have raised $2.5 million for student scholarships. San Miguel’s mission is transforming lives through education, commitment, and love. 97% of San Miguel students are at or below the U.S. poverty rate, but the high school graduation rate for San Miguel alumni is 92% (national rate is 75% and CPS is 63%).

During the evening, San Miguel will present its Leadership in Education award. Past recipients include U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Kathleen and John Buck, Mike and Pat Koldyke, Bill Engels, and Mrs. Lina Abraham.

Major sponsors and underwriters of School Rocks include:

·        Venue Underwriters: Roger Follis, Charlie Hartley
·        Grammy Award Sponsorships:  The Wiebking Family
·        Raffle Underwriter: Tiffany & Co.
·        Media Partner: Modern Luxury Media
·        Greatest Hits Record Sponsorship: Project RUSH, Studley, Jack and Stephanie Flynn and Family
·        Top 40 Album Sponsorship: InterCall
·        Design Underwriter: Anne Allodi Designs

About San Miguel School Chicago

San Miguel School Chicago provides an innovative and accessible educational experience for children from inner-city families, so that they can complete high school with the skills, support and self-awareness to make the next productive choice in life. For more information, please visit www.SanMiguelChicago.org.