Bill Murray, Slash, Sammy Hagar, Vince Neil at “Simon Says Fight MSA” Benefit Concert
On Thursday night, the biggest names from the music and culinary world came together at the Keep Memory Alive Event Center for a special benefit in honor of Chef Kerry Simon who has been battling the effects of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) for several years, with the confirmation diagnosis coming just late last year (Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net).
The event saw 450 guests and raised nearly $525,000 towards MSA clinical care and research.
Vince Neil and Rick Moonen
Photo credit: Bryan Steffy / WireImage / www.BryanSteffyPhoto.com.
The rock ‘n roll cocktail party kicked off with a VIP reception where celebrities and guests mingled and stopped on the purple (Purple is the color of MSA awareness!) carpet to honor Kerry, a highly respected chef and great friend to so many of us.
Slash
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Chefs including Daniel Boulud, Kim Canteenwalla, Wylie DuFresne, Grant Macpherson, Michael Mina, Rick Moonen, Justin Nilson, Charlie Palmer, Megan Romano, Mark Tarbell and Jean-Georges Vongerichten prepared an amazing culinary dine around with whimsical and creative dishes for guests to enjoy.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman and former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman with Alice Cooper
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Mayor Carolyn Goodman took the stage to honor Kerry with a proclamation while husband former Mayor Oscar Goodman watched from the side of the stage.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman and former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman present Kerry Simon with a ‘Kerry Simon Day’ proclamation
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.
After a live auction raised $152,000 to add to the night’s fundraising efforts, actor Bill Murray grabbed the mic and had the crowd hooked. With his stories of their past (Murray and Kerry worked at a Little Caesars Pizza together at the start of their careers), he used humor to introduce the incredible night of performers which included Alice Cooper, Slash, Sammy Hagar, Vince Neil, Todd Rundgren, Matt Sorum, J.D. Fortune, Lisa Loeb and Billy Duffy all backed by Vegas’ favorite band Sin City Sinners.
Todd Rundgren, Sammy Hagar and Alice Cooper
Photo credit: Bryan Steffy / WireImage / www.BryanSteffyPhoto.com.
As all the acts banded together onstage for the finale “With A Little Help From My Friends” by The Beatles, Vince Neil explained “This is a “motely crue” up here” as the audience cheered. The crowd heard all the classic hits from the collection of artists including “School’s Out,” “I Can’t Drive 55” and “Girls, Girls, Girls” among many other collaborations.
Sammy Hagar
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Following the event, the chefs and musicians had a chance to relax amidst an array of food at Simon Restaurant and Lounge at Palms Place that was put together by chefs Barry Dakake, Richard Tapia, Mark Purdy and Tammy Alana. Chris Clouse, who has performed at Kerry’s restaurants over the years, provided a lively night of tunes as everyone had a chance to really enjoy the end of a wonderful evening.
Group with Chef Kerry Simon
Photo credit: Bryan Steffy / WireImage / www.BryanSteffyPhoto.com.
A couple funny lines from the night:
- Bill Murray introducing Sammy Hagar as the “Leonard Cohen of Cabo San Lucas”
- Murray also purposely teasing his longtime friend by calling him different variations of his name before ending with a shout out to “Berry Simon”
- Murray ending the evening telling the audience it was Kerry’s birthday and leading the group in a Happy Birthday sing-along…Kerry’s birthday isn’t until June 17
Guitarist Billy Duffy, musician Matt Sorum, chef Kerry Simon and musician Lisa Loeb
Photo credit: Bryan Steffy / WireImage / www.BryanSteffyPhoto.com.
Sin City Sinners, Sammy Hagar and Slash perform during the Kerry Simon ‘Simon Says Fight MSA’ benefit concert
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Billy Duffy, Sammy Hagar, Matt Sorum, Slash and Lisa Loeb
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Bill Murray as Emcee
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Alice Cooper
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Grant Macpherson at Kerry Simon ‘Simon Says Fight MSA’ benefit concert
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Slash
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Alice Cooper
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Vince Neil
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Todd Rundgren
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Lisa Loeb
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Bill Murray
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Kerry Simon and Elizabeth Blau
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Kerry Simon and Bill Murray
Photo credit: Denise Truscello / WireImage / www.DeniseTruscello.net.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.