DT: DECEMBER 12, 2024

FM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN/KELLY WALSH
SRO PR

DAVE NAVARRO AND BILLY MORRISON
ANNOUNCE FIRST ROUND OF GUESTS
FOR JANUARY 25
“ABOVE GROUND” BENEFIT CONCERT
AT THE FONDA THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD, CA

BILLY HOWERDEL (A PERFECT CIRCLE),BILLY IDOL,
DUFF MCKAGAN (GUNS N’ ROSES), ELLIOT EASTON (THE CARS), JERRY CANTRELL (ALICE IN CHAINS), JERRY HARRISON (TALKING HEADS/ MODERN LOVERS), JOSH FREESE (FOO FIGHTERS), MARK MCGRATH (SUGAR RAY), STEVE STEVENS (BILLY IDOL) AND TOMMY HENRIKSEN & GLEN SOBEL (ALICE COOPER, HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES),
AMONG THE INITIAL ARTISTS CONFIRMED
FOR ALL-STAR BAND

PERFORMING THE DEBUT ALBUMS BY
NEW YORK DOLLS AND THE CARS
AND OTHER SONGS

TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR THE EVENT
BENEFITTING MUSICARES^®
IN SUPPORT OF MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
AND SUICIDE PREVENTION

Guitarists Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction) and Billy Morrison (Billy Idol) have announced the initial artists who will join them for the January 25 “ABOVE GROUND” benefit concert at The Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, CA. The fourth iteration of the event will feature performances from Billy Howerdel (A Perfect Circle), Billy Idol, Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses), Elliot Easton (The Cars), Jerry Cantrell (Alice In Chains), Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads/ Modern Lovers), Josh Freese (Foo Fighters), Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray), Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) and Tommy Henriksen  & Glen Sobel (Alice Cooper, Hollywood Vampires), with additional talent to be announced in the new year.

The ABOVE GROUND concerts have become known for celebrating the vinyl album as an art form with performances of two seminal albums in their entirety. This year will see Navarro and Morrison shining the light on the groundbreaking self-titled debuts by the New York Dolls (1973) and The Cars (1978) and other songs.

“Dave and I love albums that sit closer to the ‘art’ side of things, and that are a bit of a challenge to recreate,” Billy Morrison says. “We just do our best to honor the records, to get the parts and the tones correct, to not just hack through bad cover versions of these important songs. So, we don’t really try to put a ‘spin’ on them but rather present these albums as they were meant to be heard, every song in order, sounding as close as we can get to the original.”

“ABOVE GROUND 3 [2021] was a great success,” Dave Navarro says. “But I got really sick with Covid after that show. And it’s been over two years until I was well enough to get back on stage. And as I continue to heal, we thought this is the time! We have work to do and we need to remind people, especially through the holidays, that it’s ok to ask for help! I really look forward to getting on stage with my friends and recreating this seminal music while at the same time having some fun and raising money for MusiCares.”

“The need to shine a light on mental health doesn’t go away,” Morrison says. “And I think that Dave and I work so well together on these AG events that it just felt right to come back with the fourth show. We both have our own mental health battles on different levels and if we can help raise some funds and awareness, then we are doing a good thing.”

“ABOVE GROUND” launched in 2018 and has featured Navarro and Morrison alongside a star-studded lineup of their friends including Jack Black, Corey Taylor, Anthony Kiedis, Juliette Lewis, Courtney Love, Billy Idol, Al Jourgensen, Steve Stevens, and many more. The events have highlighted full-length albums from legendary acts including Adam and The Ants, Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground, David Bowie, The Stooges, and Sex Pistols. Tickets are on sale now HERE.

Find ABOVE GROUND online at:
WEBSITE | FB | IG | X

###

ABOUT ABOVE GROUND:
Founded in 2018, by Dave Navarro, Billy Morrison and manager Rick Canny, Above Ground is a registered 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to raising funds for and awareness to the issues of mental health and suicide prevention. Since 2018, Dave and Billy have helped to raise more than $500,000 for MusiCares via various fundraising opportunities.

ABOUT MUSICARES:
MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy® in 1989 as a U.S. based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit: www.musicares.org.

###

For ABOVE GROUND press inquiries, please contact
SRO PR
Mitch Schneider, mschneider@sropr.com
Marcee Rondan, marcee@sropr.com
Kelly Walsh, kwalsh@sropr.com

DT: NOVEMBER 19, 2024

FM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN/KELLY WALSH
SRO PR

DAVE NAVARRO AND BILLY MORRISON
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
RETURN FOR FOURTH
“ABOVE GROUND” BENEFIT CONCERT
JANUARY 25
AT THE FONDA THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD, CA
IN SUPPORT OF MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS
AND SUICIDE PREVENTION

“ABOVE GROUND 4”
TO FEATURE PERFORMANCES OF DEBUT ALBUMS BY
NEW YORK DOLLS AND THE CARS

PRE-SALE TICKETS AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 20
WITH GENERAL PUBLIC ON-SALE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22
FOR EVENT BENEFITTING MUSICARES^®

Guitarists Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction) and Billy Morrison (Billy Idol) have announced the “ABOVE GROUND” benefit concert series will return for its fourth event on January 25 at The Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, CA. As before, “ABOVE GROUND 4” will feature Navarro and Morrison with an all-star band and special guests (TBA). Tickets go on sale Friday, November 22 HERE with pre-sale Wednesday, November 20.

The event will again celebrate the vinyl album as an art form, with performances of two seminal albums in their entirety. This year will see Navarro and Morrison feature the groundbreaking self-titled debuts by the New York Dolls (1973) and The Cars (1978).

“We’re incredibly grateful to Dave and Billy for once again dedicating their talents and hearts to support MusiCares and bring attention to mental health and suicide prevention,” says Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares. “Above Ground has become a powerful night of connection for our music community, and each year, the impact grows. This concert celebrates music that inspires us and the resilience of those facing personal challenges. It’s a night of understanding and hope,”

“ABOVE GROUND” launched in 2018 and has featured Navarro and Morrison alongside a star-studded lineup of their friends including Jack Black, Corey Taylor, Anthony Kiedis, Juliette Lewis, Courtney Love, Billy Idol, Al Jourgesen, Steve Stevens, and many more. The events have highlighted full-length albums from legendary acts including Adam and The Ants, Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground, David Bowie, The Stooges, and Sex Pistols.

Find ABOVE GROUND online at:
WEBSITE | FB | IG | X

###

ABOUT ABOVE GROUND
Founded in 2018, by Dave Navarro, Billy Morrison and manager Rick Canny, Above Ground is a registered 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to raising funds for and awareness to the issues of mental health and suicide prevention. Since 2018, Dave and Billy have helped to raise more than $500,000 for MusiCares via various fundraising opportunities.

ABOUT MUSICARES:
MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy® in 1989 as a U.S. based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit: www.musicares.org.

###

For ABOVE GROUND press inquiries, please contact
SRO PR
Mitch Schneider, mschneider@sropr.com
Marcee Rondan, marcee@sropr.com
Kelly Walsh, kwalsh@sropr.com

DATE: JANUARY 12, 2022

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN/KELLY WALSH

DAVE NAVARRO AND BILLY MORRISON
OFFER THANKS FOR DECEMBER sold-out “ABOVE GROUND”
BENEFIT CONCERT; ORGANIZATION MAKES $50,000 DONATION TO MUSICARES^®

IN ONGOING EFFORT TO
PROMOTE AWARENESS AND RAISE FUNDS
FOR THE TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH

As Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction) and Billy Morrison (Billy Idol) look forward to the fourth “ABOVE GROUND” benefit concert later this year (date TBA), the guitarists and “ABOVE GROUND” co-founders want to thank the artists who supported the third event last month (December 20) at The Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, CA, the fans who attended and the team involved in putting together another successful benefit. Following the sold-out event, ABOVE GROUND made a $50,000 donation to MusiCares^® (the leading music charity that acts as a safety net for the music community) in ongoing effort to promote awareness and raise funds for the treatment of mental health. (See full set list below.)

Photo credit: Jane Stuart

“When you are fortunate enough to do something you love, and simultaneously spread a positive message and raise much needed funds at the same time, it can never be called work,” Billy Morrison says. “Above Ground has become just such an event for Dave and I. Our third show exceeded all my expectations, both in terms of the incredible musical performances by our core band and all of our guests, and in the amount of love and support we got from our audience, our partners and our sponsors. I’m proud of what Above Ground is achieving in the mental health space and urge us all to keep the dialogue flowing. Roll on Above Ground 4!”

“This year‘s Above Ground event has to have been my favorite so far,” Dave Navarro says. “Not only were we able to create an environment to share our love of music with the people closest to us in our lives but we did it for such an important cause. Spreading awareness and raising funds in support of mental health makes these events so fulfilling for us. On a personal note, I never thought in 1 million years I would share the stage with Perry Farrell and Anthony Kiedis in the same night. A lot of healing took place on that stage as well. None of that would have happened had we not had the honor of participating in this annual event. Being in a position to offer support and help to others while simultaneously walking away enriched and full of gratitude is a very special, magical thing. I will never forget Above Ground 3 and cannot wait for Above Ground 4.”

Hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky with an art installation by Risk Rock, the evening featured performances of two musically/culturally seismic albums: Lou Reed’s Transformer (1972) and Sex Pistol’s Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols (1977). The all-star line-up–led by Navarro and Morrison–featured special guests (alphabetically) Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Chris Chaney (Jane’s Addiction), Corey Taylor (Slipknot), Courtney Taylor-Taylor (The Dandy Warhols), Dave Kushner (Velvet Revolver, Sons Of Anarchy), Dexter Holland (The Offspring), Donovan Leitch, Franky Perez, Jason Aalon Butler (Fever333), Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads), Josh Freese (The Offspring, A Perfect Circle, Danny Elfman), Laura Mace, Mark McGrath, Mickey Avalon, Otep, Perry And Etty Lau Farrell, Piggy D (Rob Zombie) and Steve Stevens (Billy Idol).

The ABOVE GROUND 3 set list is as follows:

Lou Reed’s Transformer
“VICIOUS,” Corey Taylor
“ANDY’S CHEST,” Courtney Taylor-Taylor
“PERFECT DAY,” Billy Morrison
“HANGING AROUND,” Mark McGrath
“WALK ON THE WILD SIDE,” Anthony Kiedis
“MAKE UP,” Mickey Avalon
“WAGON WHEEL,” Laura Mace
“SATELLITE OF LOVE,” Perry and Etty Farrell
“NEW YORK TELEPHONE CONVERSATION,” Donovan Leitch
“I’M SO FREE,” Corey Taylor
“GOODNIGHT LADIES,” Franky Perez
**“SWEET JANE,” Billy Morrison

**Bonus track

Sex Pistols’ Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols
“HOLIDAYS IN THE SUN,” Corey Taylor
“BODIES,” Corey Taylor
“NO FEELINGS,” Mark McGrath
“LIAR,” Jason Aalon Butler
“PROBLEMS,” Billy Morrison
“SEVENTEEN,” Franky Perez
“SUBMISSION,” Jason Aalon Butler
“ANARCHY IN THE U.K.,” Perry and Etty Farrell
“NEW YORK,” Mark McGrath
“GOD SAVE THE QUEEN,” Dexter Holland
“PRETTY VACANT,” Dexter Holland
“EMI,” Billy Morrison/Mark McGrath

Here’s some critical feedback on ABOVE GROUND 3:

It doesn’t take long for the concert to begin when, almost quietly, Dave Navarro calls the first super-guest of the evening to the stage: and it’s none other than Anthony Kiedis. The amazement of the public, but also of us photographers placed at the foot of the stage, is tangible.  No one had any idea that the Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman had been invited to sing ‘Walk on the Wild Side,’ the most iconic track on Lou Reed’s album and career. The presence of Kiedis, the melancholy atmospheres of the song and the soft lights make the moment magnetic, at the end of which Kiedis and Navarro embrace and the latter reaches the microphone to remind everyone that they had not been on stage together for 25 years.

“With the second set the pace is definitely changed. The introspective and minimalist sounds of Transformer give way to the cheeky ones of the Sex Pistols. Corey Taylor is back, and after him also Perry Farrell, the ‘usual’ McGrath and a real stage animal like Jason Butler of Fever 333, who devours that same stage on the notes of ‘Submission.’”

“Nowadays, the mere fact that these kinds of events are still a reality should cheer us up. And all the better if they are linked to an important cause. Maximum support, therefore, to Dave Navarro and Billy Morrison. The world of rock needs people who believe in it. People like them.”

–Rolling Stone Italy, 12/22/21

“Navarro and Morrison took turns introducing vocalists for each of the songs throughout the evening. Corey Taylor led the evening off as he covered Lou Reed’s ‘Vicious.’ The next highlight and first surprise of the night came during ‘Walk On The Wild Side’ as Navarro welcomed Anthony Kiedis, the Red Hot Chili Pepper frontman and former bandmate. After giving Navarro a big hug, he brought life to the classic song that was easily the biggest hit off this iconic album. Perry Farrell and his wife Etty later joined the party on ‘Satellite Of Love.’”

“A confetti blast kicked off the second half of the show with Corey Taylor again on-stage, this time representing the Sex Pistols 1977 release, Never Mind The Bollocks. The punk rock vibe was alive and well as Mark McGrath, Jason Butler, Billy Morrison and Franky Perez all took turns covering songs from the album.”

“Together Navarro and Morrison have created a solid platform and great annual tradition.  Partnering with MusiCares, this benefit show has quickly proven itself and continues to improve with each iteration.”

– Live Music Today , 12/22/21

“Billy Morrison blew the crowd away with his beautiful rendition of ‘Perfect Day,’ and we couldn’t have been happier as it is a favorite among Lou Reed fans.”

“Singer Franky Perez was the album closer and was dressed in his late-night crooner attire with fitted suit pants, button-up shirt, and undone tie. Perez sang “Goodnight, Ladies” and left the crowd and other musicians in utter shock of his immeasurable voice.”

“To bring it all home, Morrison invited all the musicians that had been on stage that night to join Mark McGrath in singing ‘EMI.’ It was a lovely evening, all in the name f helping others and knowing you and the people onstage were joining together to do good things and help people struggling with mental wellness.

Sometimes, big events don’t live up to the hype. On December 20th, Above Ground definitely lived up to all expectations. It was an event we won’t forget any time soon.”

– OC MUSIC NEWS, 12/25/21

ABOUT ABOVE GROUND
Founded in 2018, by Dave Navarro, Billy Morrison and manager Rick Canny, Above Ground is a registered 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to raising funds for and awareness to the issues of mental health.

ABOUT MUSICARES
MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S. based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit: https://www.musicares.org/

For ABOVE GROUND press inquiries, please contact SRO PR:
Marcee Rondan, marcee@msopr.com
Mitch Schneider, mschneider@msopr.com
Kelly Walsh, kwalsh@msopr.com

###

DATE: DECEMBER 8, 2021

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN/KELLY WALSH
SRO PR

DAVE NAVARRO AND BILLY MORRISON
ANNOUNCE EXPANDED LINE-UP FOR THIRD
“ABOVE GROUND” BENEFIT CONCERT
DECEMBER 20
AT THE FONDA THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD, CA

JERRY HARRISON (TALKING HEADS),
JASON AALON BUTLER (FEVER333),
OTEP
AND OTHERS ADDED TO BILL THAT INCLUDES
PERFORMANCES FROM
NAVARRO AND MORRISON,
BILLY IDOL,
PERRY FARRELL AND ETTY LAU FARRELL
(KIND HEAVEN ORCHESTRA),
COREY TAYLOR,
TAYLOR HAWKINS,
MARK MCGRATH,
STEVE STEVENS AND FRANKY PEREZ

EVENT TO BE HOSTED BY
DR. DREW PINSKY
WITH ART INSTALLATION BY
RISK ROCK JUST ANNOUNCED

CONCERT WILL PROMOTE AWARENESS AND RAISE FUNDS FOR THE TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
WITH ALL PROCEEDS BEING DONATED TO MUSICARES^®

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW

In just under two weeks, the third “ABOVE GROUND” benefit concert founded by guitarists Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction) and Billy Morrison (Billy Idol) will take place on December 20 at The Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, CA. Newly added special guests Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads), Jason Aalon Butler (Fever333), OTEP, Mickey Avalon, Josh Freese (The Offspring, A Perfect Circle, Danny Elfman), Chris Chaney (Jane’s Addiction, Miley Cyrus), Piggy D (Rob Zombie), Dave Kushner (Velvet Revolver, Sons of Anarchy) and Donovan Leitch join an all-star bill that includes Billy Idol, Perry Farrell, Etty Lau Farrell, Corey Taylor, Taylor Hawkins, Mark McGrath, Steve Stevens, and Franky Perez. Look for the event to also feature host Dr. Drew Pinsky and an art installation by Risk Rock. Tickets are available now HERE.

Following previous successful events in 2018 and 2019, while sitting out in 2020 due to Covid, the evening will celebrate the vinyl album as an art form, with the performance of two seminal albums in their entirety, while at the same time raising awareness and funds for the treatment of mental health. Throughout the event there will be an art installation from multi-talented fine artist, sculptor and graffiti pioneer RISK ROCK.

Proceeds from the event will be donated to MusiCares^®, the leading music charity that acts as a safety net for the music community. “MusiCares has literally saved more than a few of our friends from dying,” share NAVARRO and MORRISON. “Their role cannot be overstated, and we have precious few organizations that actively step in to help people on the brink. On the frontline, finding and paying for beds in treatment, arranging therapy and counseling, and actually speaking up on a public level about the importance of mental health are all reasons why we continue to do what we can to draw attention to this subject.”

Navarro and Morrison, with an array of special guests, will perform two musically/culturally seismic albums: Lou Reed’s Transformer (1972) and Sex Pistol’s Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols (1977). As in previous years, they have kept trend of featuring one American artist and one British artist with former installations featuring Kings Of The Wild Frontier by Adam And The Ants and The Velvet Underground & Nico (2018) and David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and the Stooges’ self-titled debut album, on which the world was introduced to Iggy Pop (2019). Read a Q&A with Navarro and Morrison about the event, and why they chose these albums to perform, here.

Click here to watch NAVARRO and MORRISON discuss the event.

###

ABOUT ABOVE GROUND
Founded in 2018, by Dave Navarro, Billy Morrison and manager Rick Canny, Above Ground is a registered 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to raising funds for and awareness to the issues of mental health.

ABOUT MUSICARES
MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S. based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit: https://www.musicares.org/

For ABOVE GROUND press inquiries, please contact SRO PR:
Mitch Schneider, mschneider@msopr.com
Marcee Rondan, marcee@msopr.com
Kelly Walsh, kwalsh@msopr.com

MUSICARES CONTACT:
Jenn Kerr for MusiCares
jennifer.kerr@porternovelli.com

###

DATE: OCTOBER 18, 2021

FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/MARCEE RONDAN/KELLY WALSH
SRO PR

DAVE NAVARRO AND BILLY MORRISON
ALONG WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
TEAM UP FOR THIRD
“ABOVE GROUND” BENEFIT CONCERT
DECEMBER 20
AT THE FONDA THEATRE IN HOLLYWOOD, CA

WATCH NAVARRO AND MORRISON
DISCUSS THE EVENT HERE

“ABOVE GROUND”
WILL CELEBRATE
THE VINYL ALBUM AS AN ART FORM
WHILE ALSO RAISING AWARENESS AND FUNDS
FOR THE TREATMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH

INITIAL SPECIAL GUESTS ANNOUNCED INCLUDE
BILLY IDOL, PERRY FARRELL, ETTY LAU FARRELL
COREY TAYLOR, TAYLOR HAWKINS, MARK MCGRATH
STEVE STEVENS AND FRANKY PEREZ

TICKETS GO ON SALE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22
FOR EVENT
BENEFITTING MUSICARES^®

Guitarists Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction) and Billy Morrison (Billy Idol) and an all-star band are gearing up for the third “ABOVE GROUND” benefit concert on December 20 at The Fonda Theatre in Hollywood, CA. After sitting out 2020 because of Covid, Navarro and Morrison will be joined by a diverse group of special guests including Billy Idol, Perry Farrell, Etty Lau Farrell, Corey Taylor, Taylor Hawkins, Mark McGrath, Steve Stevens, Franky Perez and others TBA in the coming weeks. Tickets go on sale Friday, October 22. Click here to watch NAVARRO and MORRISON discuss the event.

As with previous successful events in 2018 and 2019, this immersive evening of art and music with special guests will celebrate the vinyl album as an art form, with the performance of two seminal albums in their entirety, while at the same time raising awareness and funds for the treatment of mental health. Profits from the event will be donated to MusiCares^®, the leading music charity that acts as a safety net for the music community. Navarro and Morrison talk about the event in a Q&A below.

“We are so grateful for Dave and Billy’s support of MusiCares with this incredible benefit concert, and for their continued support of our mission over the years,” said Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares. “The proceeds from this event will help music professionals who need various kinds of support, from physical and mental health, addiction recovery, preventative clinics, and more.”

In 2018, Navarro and Morrison, with an array of special guests, performed Kings Of The Wild Frontier by Adam And The Ants and then The Velvet Underground & Nico by Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground. In 2019, it was David Bowie’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars and the Stooges’ self-titled debut album, on which the world was introduced to Iggy Pop. This year, they’ll be celebrating two more musically/culturally seismic albums: Lou Reed’s Transformer (1972) and Sex Pistol’s Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols (1977) which continues their trend of featuring one American artist and one British artist.

DAVE NAVARRO AND BILLY MORRISON TALK
ABOUT “ABOVE GROUND 3”

–How did Lou Reed’s Transformer album shape you musically and why do you feel the album still resonates in our culture? As one example of its impact, the smash hit “Walk On The Wild Side” introduced many to transgender people.

DAVE and BILLY: It’s exactly that for us–the realization and education of gender and fluidity, and all the imagery that went along with that in the 70’s. It’s an unnecessarily tough subject now, so imagine Lou Reed in the 70’s addressing sexuality and gender? A total groundbreaking album that tore some barriers down. Which is what we are trying to do with the subject of mental health and Above Ground.

–Can you talk about the effect Sex Pistol’s Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols had on you and the effect it still can have on people discovering it for the first time, both musically and lyrically?

DAVE and BILLY: This album is it for both of us–the one that changed everything. When we heard this for the first time as kids, something shifted forever inside us. The sound of Steve Jones’ guitars and the intelligent anger from [Johnny] Rotten about things that actually resonated with us, even at that early age. The band released only one official album and were together initially for about 23 months. And 40+ years later, it still shakes the foundations when you play it. That says it all.

–The upcoming event continues your trend of choosing to perform an album by an American artist and one by a British artist. Can you talk about this?

DAVE and BILLY: Truthful answer? Absolutely not planned! But now that you say it, we think it’s a tradition we should continue!

—Each ABOVE GROUND event has been marked by unique special guests and musical pairings. Which highlights come to mind from the 2019 show?

DAVE and BILLY: Sharing the stage with the incredible energy that is Jack Black has to be a huge highlight for us. Also watching Billy Idol open the whole Stooges set with an incredibly powerful version of “1969” put a huge grin on our faces. And finally, when you play an album in its entirety, there is always a song that is…shall we say…challenging! So having Dave sit down, get intensely personal, and make “We Will Fall” from the Stooges album his own will stick in our minds forever!

–There can never be enough said about how addiction, accidental overdoses and suicide have impacted our society, including of course in the music world. And MusiCares^® plays an important role in helping musicians with addiction problems. Can you talk about how pivotal a role the organization plays in the music world, including perhaps in ways the public may not be aware?

DAVE and BILLY: MusiCares has literally saved more than a few of our friends from dying. Their role cannot be overstated, and we have precious few organizations that actively step in to help people on the brink. On the frontline, finding and paying for beds in treatment, arranging therapy and counseling, and actually speaking up on a public level about the importance of mental health are all reasons why we continue to do what we can to draw attention to this subject.

###

ABOUT MUSICARES

MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989 as a U.S. based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit: https://www.musicares.org/

For ABOVE GROUND press inquiries, please contact SRO PR:

Mitch Schneider, mschneider@msopr.com
Marcee Rondan, marcee@msopr.com
Kelly Walsh, kwalsh@msopr.com

MUSICARES CONTACT:
Jenn Kerr for MusiCares
jennifer.kerr@porternovelli.com