The "Main Event" features LaBAMBA'S BIG BAND with Southside Johnny and Gary U.S. Bonds. The Charitybuzz auction for Light of Day also has 35 limited edition, autographed, classic Rock & Roll photographs from the '70s and '80s, donated by renowned photographer Mark Weiss (who shot Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet and Twisted Sister's Stay Hungry album covers). Photo sales are moving briskly at www.charitybuzz.com/lightofday. The auction ends Jan. 8, 2015.
Charitybuzz will kick off a second online auction Jan. 9, 2015 for two weeks only. This second auction will spotlight two very special LIGHT OF DAY movie posters signed by Bruce Springsteen, Joan Jett and Michael J. Fox. Springsteen wrote the powerful anthem "Light Of Day," performed in the 1987 movie of the same name by Joan Jett, who starred alongside Michael J. Fox. Fox has bravely battled Parkinson's since the early ‘90s, and on one legendary night in November 2003, at the fourth annual LOD show, he brought the house down when he joined Springsteen on stage at the Stone Pony for a rousing rendition of "Light of Day." Also featured in this auction is a signed photograph of 2015 Hall of Fame Inductee Joan Jett, shot by Weiss in 1981; along with photos of previous Light of Day performers including Springsteen, Richie "LaBamba" Rosenberg, Gary U.S. Bonds, Southside Johnny, Glen Burtnik, John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, Willie Nile, John Eddie, Garland Jeffreys, Jesse Malin, Brian Fallon of Gaslight Anthem and Joe Grushecky.
Proceeds from all auctions solely benefit the Light of Day Foundation and its goal of finding a cure for Parkinson's.
With a goal of bringing in a record half million dollars for its 15th anniversary edition, LIGHT OF DAY WINTERFEST, raised a record $425,000 to combat Parkinson's disease last year alone, by far the most of any previous year. In honor of this 15th anniversary, the push is on to exceed a half million dollars, bringing the 15-year total above $3 million!
Mark Weiss is passionate about his photo campaign, FEELS LIKE THE FIRST TIME, which he started to benefit Lunch Break, the soup kitchen in Red Bank, NJ. When his photographs raised over $25,000 for Lunch Break after just two annual Charitybuzz auctions, Weiss realized another foundation close to his heart and hometown could benefit as well.
"I never imagined when I was 16 and sneaking my camera into concerts, that I could make a living out of it, much less help out those in need by donating the sales of these photos some three decades later," says Weiss. "My career as a photographer has been a dream come true, and it's time to give back."
His campaign is a selection of photographs from the first time Weiss shot the artists, going back to the ‘70s. He has pulled the photos from his extensive archives and reached out to the musicians to sign a few to help these amazing organizations. Some highlights of the collection include Aerosmith live at Madison Square Garden in 1976, signed by all five band members. Also up for grabs are three KISS photographs which actually changed Mark's life: In 1977, while still in high school, he was arrested for selling his photos outside the Garden for a buck a piece. After a night in jail, he headed over to Circus Magazine with his portfolio, and within six months he'd become a staff photographer.
Other classic photos up for auction are Ozzy Osbourne taking a bath at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in 1981; Debbie Harry of Blondie in 1978; Ted Nugent in 1978 and Johnny Winter from his 1991 album cover shoot Let Me In; plus 30 more, all signed by the actual artists.
"Whether helping the people in my hometown with life's basic necessities or helping find a cure for a deadly disease, we all do whatever we can," Weiss continues. "I am honored to stand alongside the generous and talented musicians I have worked with for decades to help make this year's LIGHT OF DAY a monumental success. We all remember the great memories of first times, but there also are memories of the first times we've heard disheartening news. I have been humbled and inspired by Bob Benjamin's story and by the powerful snowballing impact LOD has had for the last 15 years."
Benjamin, an artist manager and music industry veteran, has been living with Parkinson's since 1996, two years before he co-founded Light of Day with concert promoter Tony Pallagrosi and musician Joe D'Urso. Benjamin put together the first fundraiser show on his 40th birthday at the Downtown Cafe in Red Bank, NJ, and raised $2,000. From that small event, the LIGHT OF DAY Foundation was born in 2000. Benjamin named the Foundation after the Springsteen anthem with the fitting lyrics: Well I'm a little down under, but I'm feeling okay - I got a little lost along the way - I'm just around the corner to the light of day.
Light of Day Winterfest has gained international acclaim for surprise performances by Bruce Springsteen in 10 of the previous 14 years, including last year's event, and always at the Paramount since "The Main Event" was added to the festivities. LaBamba, an original member of Southside Johnny's Asbury Jukes and a late night TV fixture for the past 20 years anchoring the horn section in Conan O'Brien's house band, has assembled a 20-piece unit that will include a 13-piece horn section. LaBamba's Big Band will feature the horn players from Conan's Basic Cable Band, and nine other current and former members of the Jukes – among them Mark "The Love Man" Pender, Rick "G the G" Gazda and Stan Harrison – for a night LaBamba promises "is going to be legendary."
