Wild Honey presents The Beatles' 'White Album' live on stage

The Beatles, the ninth studio album released by the Fab Four and better known as the White Album, was one of the group's most unique titles. The two-disc release, issued in November 1968, spelled the beginning of the end of the group (Ringo Starr briefly quit the band during the recording sessions and missed recording drums on several tracks). Yet, there is no doubt that the White Album is filled with timeless and brilliant classics. Now 45 years after the album's release, a special performance of the entire album by a number of wonderful musicians will raise money for an important cause. Read the just-issued media release below...

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Benefit-concert producers the Wild Honey Foundation will present the classic Beatles self-titled album, better known as The White Album, performed in its entirety and in order by a star-studded house band and guest singers. The event, which will benefit the Autism Think Tank, will take place Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 8 p.m., at the historic Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd. in downtown Glendale, Calif.  

Current members of the Wild Honey Orchestra include a who’s who of respected L.A. recording artists: musical director Rob Laufer, guitar, vocals; Jim Laspesa (Dave Davies/Susanna Hoffs), drums; Derrick Anderson (The Bangles), bass; Rusty Squeezebox (Baby Lemonade, Love), guitar; Willie Aron, keyboards, vocals; Jordan Summers, keyboards; Darian Sahanaja (Wondermints, Brian Wilson Band), keyboards/vocals, Damon Fox (Big Elf), keyboards, Nelson Bragg (Brian Wilson Band), percussion, vocals; multi-instrumentalist Probyn Gregory (Brian Wilson Band); Sarah Kramer, horns; and Kaitlin Wolfberg, strings.

Guest performers include: Dave Gregory (XTC), Vicki & Debbi Peterson (The Bangles), Chris Collingwood (Fountains of Wayne), Mitch Easter (Let’s Active), Susan Cowsill, John Cowsill, Alain Johannes (Eleven, Queens of the Stone Age), Dream Weaver Gary Wright (Spooky Tooth), Iain Matthews (Fairport Convention, Matthews’ Southern Comfort), The Muffs, Paisley Underground legendsThe Three O'Clock, Christine Collister (Richard Thompson band), Cindy Lee Berry Hill, Steven McDonald (Redd Kross) stellar 1960s sideman Keith Allison (Paul Revere & the Raiders), Cosmo Topper (Just Imagine Show), Anna Warnakor & Rachel Haden (That Dog), Nick Guzman,  Thomas Walsh (Pugwash), Skylar Gudasz, Brett Harris, Django Haskins (The Old Ceremony), Lyle Workman(Todd Rundgren, etc.), Dirk Hamilton, John Wicks (The Records), John Easdale (Dramarama), Steve Stanley (The Now People), Translator, Morty Coyle (All Day Sucker), and the always-possible Very Special Guests.   

As with last year’s sold-out Revolver/Abbey Road show at the Big Star Third shows at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, this event will benefit the Autism Think Tank. The non-profit organization brings together a team of top autism specialists, via an Internet medical conference, to tackle the seemingly intractable and painful medical/psychological problems faced by kids like Wild Honey co-organizer Paul Rock’s ten-year-old son Jake, whose own issues have improved since his involvement with the group.

Dating back to 1994, the 501(3)(c), non-profit Wild Honey’s numerous grassroots benefit/tribute events have featured appearances by Brian Wilson, Dave Davies from the Kinks, the late Alex Chilton, the Bangles, Al Stewart, Denny Laine, Danny Hutton from Three Dog Night, Chuck Negron, Matthew Sweet, Colin Hay, Dan Wilson, P.F. Sloan, John Brion, Peter Case, The Plimsouls, Victoria Williams, The Williams Brothers, Dave Alvin, The Blue Shadows, Aimee Mann, Michael Penn, Scott Miller from the Loud Family, Ann Magnuson, and so many more. The shows have been produced at various Los Angeles-area locations including the Morgan-Wixson Theater in Santa Monica, the Roxy, the Knitting Factory (Hollywood) and the El Rey Theatre.  

Over the years, Wild Honey shows have raised funds and awareness for the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, Habitat for Humanity, the Liberty Hill Foundation, USC Norris Cancer Center, and the Coalition to End Gun Violence while paying tribute to musical idols: Brian Wilson, The Kinks, Big Star, The Byrds, The Everly Brothers, The Hollies, Harry Nilsson, Pete Townshend, solo Paul McCartney, and Elvis Costello.

For more information about the Autism Think Tank, please go to http://www.autismthinktanknj.com/ 

For more information on the Wild Honey Foundation, please go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/183120448393501/