Words & Photos by Joe Russo
The recent 8th Annual Love Rocks NYC Benefit at the Beacon Theatre in NYC brought an all-star cast together to raises funds for God’s Love We Deliver, a New York charity that ‘delivers nutritious, medically tailored meals for people too sick to shop or cook for themselves’.
This year’s event featured artists like Don Felder, Hozier, Lucius, Joss Stone, Bettye LaVette, Nile Rodgers, The Black Keys, Larkin Poe, Luke Spiller, Tom Morello, and very last minute addition Dave Grohl. All the while, there was a massive backing band, including two drum kits, Pedrito on percussion, two keyboardists, backing singers, guitarists Larry Campbell and Eric Krasno, led by bassist Will Lee.
Not only the top notch musicians graced the stage, but the event incorporated comedic interludes by some of the industry’s best, including long time Love Rocks NYC Alumnus, Bill Murray; in addition to Martin Short, Tracy Morgan, Jim Gaffigan, and Conan O’Brien (who actually opened the show playing guitar with Jimmy Vivino).
Random yet carefully curated pairings of musicians spanning countless genres of music came together to jam, collaborate, spread love, laugh, and support a great cause. Notable collaborations on this night included Joss Stone and Trombone Shorty covering Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy”, and Marcus King and former New York Yankee Bernie Williams covering “Proud Mary”.
In traditional fashion each year, every musician and comedian from the line-up join the stage to perform a cover song together – this year it was a lively rendition of David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” (with Dave Grohl on drums).
Please look up God’s Love We Deliver and donate what you can to feed those in need!
Gallery +
TheWaster.com | NYC
3.12.24
