Steve Fairchild/Staff Writer | Posted: Friday, April 8, 2005 12:00 am
Rock for the Arts, a local fund-raising organization started by Arroyo Grande High School history teacher Mike Sears and his former student John Freeman, has landed a big star for its benefit concert this year.
Thanks to the hard work of the nonprofit group, the latest incarnation of Jefferson Starship will perform at a Day on the Green at the Avila Beach Inn this Saturday as part of its Jefferson Starship Saves the World Tour 2005.
According to Sears, Rock for the Arts was started three years ago with the goal of getting local musicians featured at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts and to raise money for scholarships for students involved in the performing arts.
Sears said landing a big fish like Jefferson Starship is great for the scholarship program, as previous concerts Rock for the Arts put on were focused on high school student bands.
"We embarked on this last spring and started nosing around," Sears said. "We got in touch with (Jefferson Starship/s) general manager. They knew and liked the area and were intrigued about Avila and playing in the outdoors. They reduced their fee for the benefit."
Jefferson Starship was formed in 1965 in San Francisco with the name Jefferson Airplane. Folksinger Marty Balin started the band and recruited friend Paul Kantner. Balin was reportedly inspired by the Byrds/ version of "Mr. Tambourine Man" for the group/s sound.
Grace Slick, of the Great Society, was hired into the band in October 1966 with her husband, Jerry. Grace added immensely to the group/s sound with her haunting voice. She also brought her popular single "White Rabbit" with her from the Great Society, which was a big hit.
The band has undergone countless changes over the decades, including a name change to Jefferson Starship in 1974. But the group is still a favorite from the San Francisco psychedelic era.
Kantner and Balin still make up part of the celebrated group of musicians who are the Jefferson Starship today.
Also in Saturday/s lineup will be David Freiberg, Donny Baldwin, Diana Mangano, Slick Aguilar and Chris Smith. Baldwin is substituting for the band/s regular drummer, Prairie Prince.
Sears is expecting 600 to 800 people to show up for the concert. But he has been informed that the band has a strong following in California, and those fans may show up because it is their only West Coast show featured on the tour.
Also performing Saturday are accomplished local guitarists in the Travis Larson Band and local rockers My Monkey, which is led by Freeman.
Although this concert will be in Avila Beach, Sears said Rock for the Arts has been successful in making the Clark Center a place for local residents to enjoy high-quality acts. But he would like even more people to come out and enjoy the shows.
"We/ve been real pleased with the venue," he said of the Clark Center. "We/re struggling to get the South County used to live events. It/s just a matter of getting the culture to change. It just takes time. We feel good about getting the young people involved with music."
Sears said they are already beginning to look for another big act for next year.
Saturday/s concertgoers can bring their blankets or lawn chairs and relax to the sounds of fine music. Don/t forget your sunscreen.
The music will flow all afternoon, from 3 to 8 p.m., all for ,22.50. There will be a special meet-and-greet session with all the musicians from 9 to 10 p.m. for ,50 a person.
Tickets are available through any Vallitix outlet or by calling toll-free (888) 825-5484 or through the Web site at www.vallitix .com.
For more information about the concert, visit www.Rock4the Arts.com/Jeffersonstarship.html.
* Staff writer Steve Fairchild can be reached at 489-4206, Ext. 5014, or sfairchild@pulitzer.net.
April 8, 2005