FOXBORO – It was a night to enjoy some good ole rock ‘n’ roll from numerous well-known musicians, raise money to fight addiction and celebrate recoveries. The 3rd Annual SuperGroup 2010 Rock & Roll Concert packed them in Saturday night at Showcase Live at Patriot Place to benefit Right Turn Addiction Services, an Arlington-based program offering assistance to artists in recovery from drug addiction and other mental health issues.
Over four hours, artists such as gifted guitarist Rick Derringer, guitarist Elliot Easton of The Cars that hailed from Boston, drummer Chad Smith of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Rhode Island bluesman James Montgomery entertained.
A highlight was special guest Ernie and the Automatics, which features the band Boston’s former guitarist, Barry Goudreau, and its ex-drummer, Sib Hashian.
The six-member blues rock group out of Boston, half of whose members went to Berklee College of Music, includes Michael “Tunes” Antunes, the saxophone player for Rhode Island’s John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, and that group’s “Darkside” was played. A treat, a medley of Boston’s hits, including “More Than a Feeling” and “Long Time,” closed the hour-long set to a standing ovation.
Keyboardist/lead vocalist Brian Maes, who has played with Peter Wolf of Boston’s The J. Geils Band, was quite impressive, as were their new songs, including “Apple Hill” and “There Ain’t No Friends in Rock ‘n’ Roll.” The band’s debut album came out last year.
Guitarist/music director Ricky Byrd led the music throughout the show, having played with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Roger Daltrey of The Who. Byrd and Richie Supa, who has been a songwriter for Pink, Aerosmith, and Bon Jovi, appeared together for a couple of acoustic songs they had written about recovery, having been sober for over two decades.
“We lost Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, John Bonham, Keith Moon, we lost a lot to addiction,” drummer Woody Giessmann of Boston-based 80’s group The Del Fuegos told the crowd. In 2003, Giessmann founded Right Turn, and told of losing his brother to addiction and himself being a recovered addict.
The 19-member supergroup showcased Mott the Hoople’s “All the Young Dudes,” the gem “Train Kept A-Rollin’,” Bo Diddley’s “Who Do You Love?,” Leon Russell’s “Delta Lady,” David Bowie’s “Suffragette City,” Geils’ “Looking For a Love,” and The Rolling Stones’ “All Down the Line” and “Tumbling Dice.” Montgomery sizzled on harmonica and Tim Pike of The Soul Band burned on vocals. Keyboardist Jeff Kazee of Southside Johnny and Bon Jovi stood out a few times.
Rounding out the supergroup were bassist Kasim Sulton of Meat Loaf and Todd Rundgren/Utopia, exceptional guitarist Johnny A, as well as Scott Aruda, John Aruda, and Paul Ahlstrand on horns. Rosemary St. George, Erin Vulgamore and Hayley Jane were backup singers, the latter who gave an intense rendition of 1960’s pioneer female rock band The Shangri-Las’ “Remember (Walkin’ in the Sand)” that Aerosmith covered.
Derringer played his usual tribute to veterans, “Hang on Sloopy” – his No. 1 hit with the 60’s group The McCoys, and ended the night with an extended version of his 1973 killer, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Hoochie Koo.”
Unable to appear due to a last-minute hospitalization was noted guitarist Leslie West of Mountain. Also, Lynn Hoffman of A&E’s “Private Sessions” was supposed to host but a radio station disc jockey filled in.
There was also a live auction, and a painting of Elvis by Ron Wood was among the donated items.
STEPHEN PETERSON can be reached at 508-236-0377 or at speterson@thesunchronicle.com.
