Rock Hall Benefit in Cary Could Be Triangle's Signature Event

April 15, 2010 | Story by: Hal Goodtree | Categories: News

Cary, NC – So what exactly do The Band, Bob Dylan, Prince, Queen and the Beatles have to do with Cary, North Carolina? They’ll all be honored at Koka Booth Amphitheatre on Saturday, May 1 as part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Benefit concert.

The blockbuster event, featuring Cheap Trick, Dave Mason, the Georgia Satellites, Alan White and many other rock luminaries, is a one-of-kind show. Not just for Cary. For anywhere.

The big question is, will the benefit concert become a permanent annual event in Cary or choose to move elsewhere?

Talking to Rick French, Rock Hall Benefit Organizer

Rick French is C.E.O. and Chairman of French West Vaughan, a national PR Agency in Raleigh. He’s also on the Board of Directors of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. French discussed the Benefit show with CaryCitizen last week.

“We wanted to extend the reach of the Rock Hall,” French said. “Moving the artifacts is difficult, but the music is portable.”

Rock and roll certainly deserves its own museum. But it’s also a living art form. Why not put together a benefit concert, invite today’s rock royalty and take it out of the museum?

Why Cary?

French and his crew talked to a number of cities, including major markets. Vegas offered a two-day festival. “Cary stepped forward with a very competitive bid,” French said.

“We don’t have all that many signature events in the Triangle,” he continued. “I wanted to make this a community asset. Our Bonnaroo.”

It helped that Booth Amphitheatre has great acoustics, a stellar track record and an intimate feel for a big show. Town officials and staff went the extra mile to make the show happen. “Cary has been great to work with – the Mayor, the Town Council and the venue,” French said.

One-of-a-kind Rock Show

For fans of rock and roll, the benefit concert is a completely unique event. French explained, “we try to pull together something you can’t see anywhere else.”

Consider this year’s line-up: Cheap Trick, Dave Mason and the Georgia Satellites, all on the same bill. Each band is a headliner in its own right.

Plus there’s The White Sox, Yes drummer Alan White’s all-star band. It includes Spike Edney and Jamie Moses of Queen, former Journey and current Trans-Siberian Orchestra vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, electric rock violinist Geoffrey Castle, progressive rock bass guitarist Bernt Bodal and Jimi Hendrix Revisited star Randy Hansen.

Rockers in the ‘Hood

The Rock Hall Benefit brings together the glitterati of rock and roll for a long weekend of fun in the Triangle.

There’s a free show in Raleigh on Friday night, after-parties and just the buzz of rock legends in the neighborhood. Rick French surmised some of the artists might shoot a round of golf or even get in a little fishing.

And, of course, rock stars have to eat. Never know who you’ll run into at Rallypoint or Goodberries on Rock Hall weekend.

Decision Time

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is set to review the event later this year. Should it remain in the Triangle or move elsewhere?

In short, if it’s just seen as another area concert, the Rock Hall might be inclined to move it where it might be better appreciated.

“This show is very unique and special,” said French. “It’s one of the most expensive shows this region will see.”

Support the Rock Show

First and foremost, Triangle citizens can support the Rock Hall Benefit by buying tickets. Military personnel and their families receive a $10 discount on all tickets purchased for the event.

And, by all means, go to the free show in Raleigh on Friday night (City Plaza, Fayetteville Street, starting at 7 p.m.). Professor Louie & The Crowmatix, 94 East and Troubled Identity will all be playing.

Finally, you can share the buzz. Whether you tweet, text, Facebook or just talk on the phone, you can help build excitement in the community.

For those about to rock, we salute you.

What Do You Think?

Do you think this is an important show? Are you excited? Are you going?

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This week’s News on CaryCitizen is sponsored by the Carolina Railhawks.