California Saga Benefit Concert Rocks The El Rey

by Sal Gomez

On June 24th & 25th 2016 The El Rey theater in Los Angeles played home to a concert that celebrated the rich cultural rock & roll history that was born right here in our golden state. In the mid 1960’s two musical world’s collided when The Byrds melded their passion for Folk music with their new found love for the British sensation The Beatles to create what has been come to be known as “The California Sound” which really meant Southern California since a good many of these musical artists congregated in the lushness of Laurel Canyon.

And in that tried and true sense of community Rock Cellar Magazine created “The California Saga” concert, one in a recent series of special events to celebrate great pop/rock music and raise money for charity. Sponsored by The Get Together Foundation benefiting The Beauty Bus Foundation, Tree People, The Rescue Train, The Mr Holland’s Opus Foundation & Project Play the two night event was hosted by KCSN’s Jim Nelson featuring the aptly named band “The Tribe”…a who’s who of local and not so local multi-talented musicians with resume’s that would curl your toes.

Kevin Wachs

Marc Mann

Michael Stern

Carnie Wilson

Ambrosia

Chris Price

Pacific

The Honeys(Marilyn Wilson/Ginger Blake)

Featuring:

Jeff Alan Ross(Badfinger), Carnie Wilson(Wilson Phillips), Gary Griffin(Beach Boys), Marc Mann(ELO, Concert For George), Carly Smithson(American Idol, Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis), The Strawberry Alarm Clock(Incense and Peppermints), Freebo(Bonnie Rait, Crosby, Stills & Nash), The Honeys(Shoot the Curl, He’s A Doll), Rosemary Butler(Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Brown, Carole King), Rob Bonfiglio(Musician/Producer: Wilson Phillips), Ken Stacey(Ambrosia, Michael Jackson’s This is It), Joe Puerta(Ambrosia), Burleigh Drummond(Ambrosia), Mark Lennon(Venice, Don Henley, Stevie Nicks), John Wicks(The Records), Kiki Ebsen(Al Jarreau, Boz Scaggs), Adam Daniel(Singer/Songwriter), Kevin Wachs(Publisher Rock Cellar Magazine, Pacific, The Get Together Foundation), AL. Keith(Dave Wakeling, Sugar Ray), Chad Watson(Freddy Fender, The Seeds), Dave Ortega(The Knickerbockers, The Surfing Safaris), Dave Pearlman(Dan Fogelberg, Bill Medley, REO Speedwagon), Gary Stockdale(The Brian Setzer Orchestra), Irene Loconto(Artist Management: CS&N, Jackson Brown), Jay Cohen(Captain Cardiac & The Coronaries, Pacific), John Day Crossen(Pacific, The Box Tops), John McNeely(Vocals: One More than Two), John Pratt(Singer/Songwriter), Lauri Reimer(Singer/Songwriter), Michael Stern(Musician/Record Producer), Nick Guzman(Vocalist/Guitarist), Peter Wagonhurst(Vocalist/Guitarist), Scotty Mitchell(Saxophone/Flute), Stephen J. Kalinich(Poet), Steve Postell(Dave Crosby, Pure Prairie League), Steve Goddard(Aerosmith, Little Feat, Don Felder), Tom Henderson(Pacific), Chris Price(Singer/Songwriter/Record Producer).