A Marvelous June Gala Supporting the Marin History Museum’s
MARIN ROCKS Exhibition

One of Van Morrison’s legendary songs summed up the Marin History Museum’s MARIN ROCKS June Gala: “What a marvelous night for a moondance!”

Magic was in the air as dozens of the County’s top musicians shared the stage to embrace Marin’s musical heritage and to provide a glimpse of its musical future. Together, the musicians and the hugely appreciative audience gave a big boost to the upcoming MARIN ROCKS Exhibition.

Were you there?

Marin History Museum benefit for Marin Rocks Exhibit, lights by James Olness and Brian Eppes. Photo courtesy of Bob Minkin.

If you were, you saw breathtaking performances by Narada Michael Walden and his band who backed headliners and special guests including Maria Muldaur; Jimmy McCracklin; David LaFlamme from It’s a Beautiful Day (featuring Linda LaFlamme); the Rowan Brothers (Chris and Lorin); Lydia Pense from Cold Blood; Nick Gravenites; Claytoven Richardson; Jimmy Dillon; Big Brother and the Holding Company’s Sam Andrew; Jose Neto; Kimrea; Mario Cipollina; Mari Mack Tamburo; Josh Ramos; Diane Vitalich and Mary Simpson from The Ace of Cups; and an All-Star gathering of all the musicians in the house performing the classic Marin-written anthem, “Get Together,” led by Joli Valenti, son of the song’s writer, Dino Valenti.

Where to begin?

Everyone had a wonderful time celebrating and raising key funds for a most-anticipated Exhibition focusing on one of Marin’s hallmarks—its rock music heritage. In that spirit, generous benefactors of the Marin History Museum contributed to the silent and live auctions (and responded with enthusiasm to the Live Auction’s man-about-town Richard Habib). As well, they enjoyed a fabulous sold-out evening of fine dining catered by Stacy Scott Catering.

The evening’s Marin-esque entertainment was coordinated by Music Director Narada Michael Walden, esteemed producer of hits for Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, and many others, and also the owner of Marin-based Tarpan Studios.

Said Narada afterwards, “The Marin Music Tribute paid homage to the musicians who came before—to Carlos Santana, Buddy Miles, the Chambers Brothers, Janis Joplin, Cold Blood, and the Sausalito Record Plant with Rick James and his song “Super Freak.” The genius that poured out from our stage rocked and shook us all to realize we have so much to be proud of here in our own County of Marin.”

Emcee and distinguished journalist Ben Fong-Torres helped set an exciting tone for the evening. MHM’s Executive Director Merry Alberigi was joined by Museum Curator Dawn Laurant and Board President Carleton Prince in welcoming everyone. Brian Eppes and James Olness provided a stirring psychedelic-style light show that created a Fillmore Auditorium-like experience.

During the evening an important announcement was made by James Hetfield and Rob Trujillo, committing Metallica to a concert benefiting MARIN ROCKS. They said, by way of a video message, that the Exhibition is “about the future and about creating a sense of belonging. We want to help create a place for kids to “hang” and learn about music in Marin.”

Marin County Supervisor Susan Adams summed up the evening’s anticipation very well: “I’m here because I was a rocker back in my wild and woolly days!” Adams, a former bass guitar player who played in the rock band Bright Objects, was one of hundreds on their feet several hours later singing along to a song made famous by a band who left New York City in the late Sixties to settle in West Marin—the Youngbloods.

That song, “Get Together,” was written by Joli Valenti’s late father, Dino Valenti (of Quicksilver Messenger Service fame) in 1963 in Sausalito, six years before The Youngbloods’ Jesse Colin Young, Lowell Levinger (aka “Banana”), Joe Bauer, and Jerry Corbitt delivered their version that in only weeks became a worldwide hit.

“C’mon people now, smile on your brother,
Everybody get together, try and love one another right now”

Marin History Museum benefit for Marin Rocks Exhibit, lights by James Olness and Brian Eppes. Photo courtesy of Bob Minkin.

Merry Alberigi, speaking on behalf of the Museum’s staff and advisors—and thanking the many musician-contributors, historians, music fans, and collector-contributors of rock music artifacts (including Village Music’s founder John Goddard and famed poster collector Paul Getchell) who were there at the Gala—said, to much audience approval,  “What began over a year ago as an idea to create a temporary exhibit celebrating Marin’s rock & roll history has now taken on a life of its own with an overwhelming response from the community.”

Curator Dawn Laurant then shared that “Hundreds of rare artifacts such as original psychedelic poster art, Grateful Dead fan letters, fashion items from the ‘60s and ‘70s, and instruments and equipment once played by Janis Joplin, John Cipollina, Carlos Santana, Charlie Deal, and others are being donated or loaned. And musicians by the dozens are giving the Museum their performance and recording information along with insightful personal histories.”

“It’s the support from our local musicians which is key to our success,” Alberigi concluded. “Our goal is to open MARIN ROCKS in spring 2010.”

The evening’s success was due in no small part to the volunteerism of the Gala’s committee members and coordination from the MHM staff and Board, with a major tip of the hat to facilitator Kurt Huget from Bread & Roses (who also participated in the after-hours Jam).

The musical portion of the evening began with performances during the silent auction by Dr.. Elmo & Wild Blue and the Craig Shaw Quartet. Then, as the Gala guests took their seats for dinner, they were treated to several songs by the Tom Finch Group.

Animal Instincts, an up-and-coming rock/jazz/fusion group selected by a jury of professional musicians from demos submitted by local youth and teen bands, was the first to rock the house. Animal Instincts includes musicians from Marin Academy and Sir Francis Drake High School. Dave and Shelley Champine, creators of the Marin Local Music website, said they were thrilled to see Marin’s youth represented so well. “It’s all about respecting legacy and promoting the future,” Dave Champine noted.

Then, surprises abounded. Jimmy McCracklin, the 88-years-young blues musician whose home is just on the other side of the San Rafael-Richmond bridge, stirred the crowd to cheers and shouts with one of his classics. Josh Ramos raised the roof with his hard-rockin’ rendition of Carlos Santana’s “Black Magic Woman.” Lydia Pense’s performance recalled why Janis Joplin told Bill Graham years before that he MUST listen to her, MUST give her band an audition. And the Rowan Brothers showed why they are the West Coast masters of close harmony.

But perhaps the highpoint of the evening was the sublime samba delivered by Jose Neto, whose many-years Marin residency was underscored in his thanks to the standing, cheering audience at the conclusion of his set.

Years before, in his hometown of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Neto’s father introduced him to the music of Jimi Hendrix. Then he moved to New York City and was hired by Harry Belafonte for his touring band—eventually putting in 20 years as Musical Director with Belafonte’s musicians. In the mid-1980s, Neto met famed Brazilian percussionist Airto and his vocalist wife Flora Purim, and together the three formed Fourth World, an adventuresome modern jazz band. Later, Neto would found Netoband, regularly playing esteemed venues like Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London. Steve Winwood (Blind Faith) would become a regular collaborator with Neto and In 2003, Neto supported Winwood on his About Time album, and together they toured the world several times.

So, point being, it is perfectly fitting that in 2009, Neto (whose children are now making their own music in the Marin schools) would contribute his talent to the MHM Gala supporting MARIN ROCKS at the request of Marin’s leading studio producer, Narada Michael Walden.

The evening ended in the wee hours, with Duane Van Dieman evoking memories of the beloved Marin-based Tazmanian Devils; the Rowan Brothers skillfully picking Bob Marley’s “Steer It Up” and emcee Ben Fong-Torres dancing a wicked Elvis Presley impersonation.

Let Jean Zerrudo, Board Member and Chair of the Gala, have the last word: “The entire evening was a blast! I thank all the musicians—and particularly Narada—for their participation. But just as important, it showed where we’re going with MARIN ROCKS, because it’s our clear intention to represent Marin’s musical heritage as authoritatively and creatively as possible.”

As the audience and the music-makers faded into the night, there was a singular thought on everyone’s mind, “Only in Marin!”