Valley Star

Issue date: 12/14/05 Section: Valley Life

Media Credit: Scott Mitchell ROCK FOR A CAUSE - Rock superstars Alice Cooper, Tommy Shaw, Jack Blade, Stephen Stills and Don Felder were among the music legends who rocked the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts Feb. 1 for Hurricane Katrina relief.

Media Credit: Scott Mitchell SOARING EAGLE - Former Eagles guitarist Don Felder spearheaded the benefit that raised more than $150,000 for Hurricane Katrina victims.

Media Credit: Scott Mitchell GATHER 'ROUND - Tommy Shaw, Gilby Clarke, Alice Cooper and Jack Blade team up at the mics to electrify the crowd at the Cerritos Center.

Media Credit: Scott Mitchell SINGIN' THE BLUES - Musician and music producer David Foster paired with Felder to play some blues tunes.

Media Credit: Scott Mitchell BAND OF BROTHERS - The Feb. 1 benefit concert pulled together more than a dozen of the biggest names in rock and comedians D.L. Hughley and Cheech Marin, who were all thrilled to take the stage with Alice Cooper for the cause.

Original Eagles guitarist Don Felder led rock buddy Alice Cooper and members from No Doubt, Guns N' Roses and Styx among other music icons in rocking the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts Wednesday for Hurricane Katrina relief. The sold-out concert raised more than $150,000 for the American Red Cross and Salvation Army to assist Katrina victims in New Orleans.

"A lot still has to be done," said Clark, who not only performed but also paid full price for the best seats in the house for him and his wife. "Performing just was not enough. This was one way that I could help."

For the concert, "Don Felder and Friends Rock Cerritos for Katrina," Felder assembled an all-star line-up including Guns N' Roses' Gilby Clarke, No Doubt's Adrian Young, Styx's Tommy Shaw, Night Ranger's Jack Blade, Stephen Stills, and actor/rocker Dennis Quaid; all of whom were more than happy to gather on late notice to aide the victims of Hurricane Katrina - and for the chance to share the stage with rock legend Cooper.

World-class Erhu virtuoso Karen Hua Qi Han, whose performance on the two-stringed traditional Chinese instrument blew the crowd away, opened the concert with her unique fusion of jazz and orchestral instrumentals. After her performance, Han told reporters that even though she had no direct ties to the city of New Orleans, "I do feel that it is our duty to help when we can and give back."

After Cooper rocked the house with "School's Out for Summer" and "18" Felder played a medley of Eagles classics, including "Hotel California" and "Life in the Fast Lane," mixed with some soulful blues tunes. Felder's encore performance was the highlight of the night with his rendition of "Sweet Home Alabama" in which he rewrote the lyrics and changed the title to "Sweet Home Louisiana."

Cheech Marin added his comic take to things as he moved the show along as host MC and D.L. Hughley brought his sharp no-holds-barred comic wit and political observations to the party with his stand-up performance, taking jabs at the Bush Administration for its response to Katrina victims.

Felder's rock buddies not only shared his sense of duty to aid the flood victims, but they also shared a passion for golf. Most of Don's golf buddies, including Cooper and Clarke, learned of the benefit while hitting the links.

"More things get done on the golf course then in the board room," said Cooper.

Felder's golfing partner Dominic Ng from the East West Bank sponsored the event and in collaboration with the City of Cerritos made it possible for 100 percent of the money raised at the event to go to Katrina victims. When asked who was a better golfer, Ng diplomatically answered, "I am a better golfer and Don is a better guitar player."

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