Jeff Ravitz recently donated lighting design services and resources for two benefits to aid those associated with the recent terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.
The Alliance of Neighbors concert, held at the Count Basie Theatre in Redbank, NJ, October 18 and 19, was organized by musician Garry Tallent. Tallent, the bassist for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, organized the event in conjunction with the World Hunger Year founded by Harry Chapin. The organization was planning a benefit prior to the attacks; in the aftermath of the tragedy, focus was shifted to relief for family members of those lost or killed in the destruction of the WTC. The Redbank area statistically has the highest percentage of loss.
An all-star show was quickly put together including Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Phoebe Snow, Joan Jett, Felix Cavaliere, the Pilgrim Gospel Choir, and many local area recording groups such as Aztec Two Step and the Smithereens. Comcast Cable televised the two-night event to local area viewers.
In addition, the Volunteers for America concert was conceived by Tommy Shaw of Styx. Proceeds are slated to be donated to the families of victims of the September 11 attacks and to the Red Cross. A fund was also set up for the family of Danny Lee, a Backstreet Boys crew member known to many in the industry and a passenger on Flight 11, which was crashed into the World Trade Center.
Shaw and members of Styx’s band and production staff enacted a fast-track planning schedule. The show was presented October 20 in Atlanta and October 21 in Dallas. Performing groups included Styx, Journey, REO Speedwagon, Bad Company, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Peter Frampton, Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad, Eddie Money, Survivor, John Waites, and Jack Blades of Night Ranger. Members of the New York Port Authority Police Department made appearances. Drew Carey hosted the shows.
For more details and technical information on the show, visit the Visual Terrain website at www.visualterrain.net.
In other news, Ravitz has wrapped shooting on four productions slated for DVD release and possible future broadcast. Three of the four shows were shot in high-definition format.
Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band participated in the former Beatle’s first formal taping of his popular tour format which includes band members drawn from super groups of the 1960s and 70s. The high-definition taping was shot at Chicago’s Rosemont Theatre and directed by Darius Anthony. The Monkees, with almost four decades of history behind them, recorded their live show at the Sun Theatre in Anaheim, CA. The eight-camera production marked the end of their current tour. The director was Michael Joseph. The King Biscuit Entertainment Group, long known for its weekly musical radio broadcasts, produced both the Ringo and Monkees shows.
Ravitz then provided the television lighting designs for Coming Home Entertainment Group’s productions of The Cult and Marilyn Manson, shot five days apart at LA’s Grand Olympic Auditorium. Both shows were shot in high-definition and directed by Manny Rodriguez.