Benefit promoters thank community and participants

When 50-year-old drummer Ron Whitaker teamed with singer Cherie Currie to raise funds for the Free Clinic of Simi Valley, they could not have fathomed how their dream to help the disadvantaged would come to fruition.

The Nov. 12 concert at the Key Club in Hollywood generated an estimated $10,000 in sales, which continues to climb from additional revenues from the auction.

An array of infamous musicians such as Martha Davis, along with original band members from the Motels performed along with Annabella Lwin. Former lead singer of the ’80s band Bow Wow Wow, Lwin festooned across the stage, singing the crowd pleaser “I Want Candy.”

The lineup also included the Knack, Linda Perry, former lead vocalist of 4 Non Blondes, Michael Des Barres, and actress and singer Currie, formerly of the Runaways. Currie was joined by her son, Jake Hayes, who played guitar. The rising talent rocked the frenzied crowd with his electrical reverberations.

Perhaps what made this concert unique in addition to its musical lineup were the celebrity signings and silent auction, comprised of various donations from musicians and celebrities. Such actors and actresses as Kent McCord from the show “Adam 12,” Bill Mooney from “Lost in Space,” and former western movie actress Marie Harmon donated their time to signing autographs.

Fans could freely peruse the various items in the auction, as well as carouse with their favorite celebrities. The eclectic items up for auction varied from Currie’s own impressive chainsaw wooden carvings to clothing worn by musician Fee Waybill of “The Tubes,” during his popular concert. Great White drummer Derrick Pontier also signed autographs and donated autographed drum sticks, cymbals and stickers to the auction.

Whitaker, producer and former drummer of ’80s band Voodoo Church is pleased with the turnout his overture generated. Yet his work is still not done. The producer hopes to recruit a larger lineup of musicians to continue to “help raise awareness” for his fervent passion for the Free Clinic.

Co-host Currie also plans to take a stride in the clinic’s continued success. She lauds the clinic, which, despite financial setbacks, never faltered in its resolve to provide free healthcare to the community.

Whitaker extends his profound gratitude to Currie, who helped his dream rise to fruition.

Whitaker and Currie would like to extend special thanks to actor Robert Hayes, Jake Hayes’ father, who announced the concert; the Free Aid staff; the Free Aid sponsors; musicians Martha Davis and the Motels, Annabella Lwin, the Knack, Linda Perry, Michael Des Barres, Derrick Pontier Jami Templeton (who sang the National Anthem); and celebrities Kent McCord, Donna Pescow, Tracy Scoggins, Gary Graham, Dawn Lyn, Bob May, Marie Harmon, David Hess, and Marc Sheffler. Eliza Novak Simi Valley