6/16/2009 FOR IMMEADITATE RELEASE
JOHN ENTWISTLE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES A MULTI-MEDIA EXTRAVGANZA

Promo Video HERE

The Classic Rock Cares Art and Memorabilia show is a fund raising effort by the John Entwistle Foundation set to open on July 17th at The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First St. in downtown Ft Myers.  The event is centered around the gallery art and rare personal items of the late John Entwistle, bass guitarist for The Who. 

The show will also include collectables and signed memorabilia from other classic rockers including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith and others coupled with a huge display of authentic vintage concert posters valued at over $1,000,000.00.  Though Entwistle is best known as the bass guitarist for The Who he was also a prolific artist who created pen and ink drawings of other rock stars.  Many of Entwistle’s drawings and personal items were donated to the foundation by John’s estate.  The personal items on display will include Entwistle’s well known Onyx and Ruby “Boris The Spider” necklace which can be spotted in most photos of the rocker from the 70s forward. 

The event will feature John’s hand written lyrics for The Who, personal diaries from Woodstock 1969, unpublished book chapters, packing lists and itineraries from several tours withThe Who. The highlight of the show will be John Entwistle’s one of a kind prototype graphite Buzzard Bass built from his original design. John played this bass on stage with The Who and it is well documented in pictures and DVDs. The guitar’s estimated value is close to half a million dollars.  There will be video presentations throughout the gallery and live music performed outside. The street directly in front of the gallery will be closed for the event. Steve Luongo & friends will perform at the Sunday VIP event.  Luongo was Entwistle’s drummer/producer for 15 years. The two musicians were the best of friends.  It was Steve who read the eulogy at the rock legend’s memorial service in London. Luongo now serves as the foundation’s executive director.  “We are blending together the feel of a night club, an art gallery, a bistro and a rock festival with a collectable auction thrown in.”  Luongo says of the event. The show will debut at The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center on Friday July 17th and run through the weekend. It will close with an exclusive VIP event Sunday evening. 

The John Entwistle Foundation provides free and easy access to musical instruments and education for children in need through public libraries and children’s hospitals. Last year the foundation opened two new music therapy rooms in SW Florida hospitals named for the singer and bass player of the rock group AC/DC. Brian Johnson and Cliff Williams toured in 2007 with Luongo and guitarist Mark Hitt to support the foundation. The Cliff Williams room is in the children hospital at Health Park in Ft. Myers. The Brian Johnson room is in the children’s oncology unit at the Sarasota Memorial hospital.

For more information:               

John Entwistle Foundation 239.482.6880  www.ClassicRockCares.com
Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center 2301 First St. in Downtown Ft Myers 239.333.1933