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Rotarians ready to rock to get relief fund rolling
from: hamptonroads.com
by Catherine Kozak and John Harper, The Virginian-Pilot
The creaky workings of bureaucracy don't respond much faster after storms than they do in every day life. But sometimes, people can't wait for the machinery to get into gear.
That became all too clear to Rotary clubs on the Outer Banks that were looking to lend assistance to people who suffered losses in 2003 during Hurricane Isabel.
"They fell through the cracks pretty quickly, and it takes a long time for the agencies to get to them," said Russ Lay, a member of the First Flight Rotary Club. "And they needed some things done immediately."
It became obvious that the community groups did not have enough money on hand to respond quickly, Lay said. So, in April, three Rotary clubs decided to create a fund to have on hand for emergencies.
"The idea is to get ahead of the curve," he said. "We want to raise about $50,000 in one shot."
And that 's where rock 'n' roll comes in: A concert can make a lot of money fast.
JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS and The Smithereens were selected from a list of rock acts to perform Saturday at Roanoke Island Festival Park .
The booking cost $76,000, Lay said, "which is why it's really important that we sell out."
But he said Outer Bank s residents will relish the rare opportunity to see national rock acts on their own turf.
JOAN JETT AND THE BLACKHEARTS recorded one of the most successful singles in history. A little ditty called "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" sold 2 million copies in 1982 and spent seven weeks on top of the Billboard magazine "Hot 100" chart.
With cranked-up guitars, an instantly sing-along chorus about putting "another dime in the jukebox, baby" and Jett's snarling vocals, it mashed the rawness of rock with the energy of punk.
"She just let it all hang out," said Jett's producer, KENNY LAGUNA, during a telephone interview from his home in Long Island, New York. "I liked the way she screamed.
"It was rare for a woman in that day."
Laguna, a one-time member of Tommy James and the Shondells, is the keyboard player in the BLACKHEARTS and serves as the group's spokesman.
After "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," the hits kept coming: "Crimson and Clover," "I Hate Myself for Loving You," "Little Liar" and "Dirty Deeds."
"Bad Reputation," an album track never released as a single, has been a rock radio staple for two decades and has been on several movie sound tracks.
It also served as the theme song for the NBC series "Freaks and Geeks."
Jett, who rarely gives interviews, works 200 days a year, playing wherever there's a place to plug in equipment. She and Laguna recently toured the war zone in Iraq.
She's working on a new album. But, as Laguna points out, Jett is most at home on the stage, singing that punk-meets-glam-rock tune.
Of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," Laguna said, "By the time people hear the third chord, they start screaming."
The Smithereens have been around for 25 years, flying just under the radar.
With Pat DiNizio on guitar and vocals, Dennis Diken on drums, Mike Mesaros on bass and vocals and Jim Babjak on guitar – which is the original lineup – the band makes smart, catchy pop-rock music, which falls between commercial radio's cracks.
The group, which has recorded a half-dozen albums, had its best year in 1989 with the Top-40 album "11," which contained the band's lone Top-40 hit, "A Girl Like You."
As an '80s band, the BLACKHEARTS appeal to the mid life crowd, Lay said, whereas the Smithereens appeal to a bit younger crowd. And with the opening act, Red Metric, a Hampton Roads band that's popular with Gen Y music lovers, the whole range of ages will get a fill of good music.
"We're calling it three decades of rock 'n' roll," he said.
Lay said he's hoping to sell about 3,000 tickets. But hope for good weather – the event is billed as rain or shine, no refunds.
All proceeds go to a dedicated fund and will not be put into the club accounts. With the Kitty Hawk Rotary Club the prime mover in the effort, the North Banks Rotary Club and the First Flight Rotary Club also have joined forces in coordination of the event. Scores of volunteers, event sponsors and donors are also contributing to the cause.
"Think of it as a $30 donation to hurricane relief, and there's a 99 percent chance that you'll get to see a concert," Lay said.
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