When the Jim Irsay Collection of rock and roll and pop culture artifacts reaches Los Angeles in January, Irsay also plans to put on an all-star concert with some of his very famous friends joining the Jim Irsay Band.
Pals such as Ann Wilson of Heart, blues legend Buddy Guy, and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons. Or Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon and Peter Wolf of the J. Geils Band.
Their names were revealed on Friday, Dec. 1, as plans for the concert that accompanies the exhibition of Irsay’s rock and roll and pop culture artifacts became clearer.
Irsay, the owner of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, has put together one of the most remarkable private collections of music, culture and historical artifacts in private hands. To share it with the world, he periodically brings it to cities around the country for limited exhibitions topped by a performance of his band and guest singers.
The collection and the concert come to the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Thursday, Jan. 11. Tickets are free, but must be reserved in advance. And you have the opportunity while registering for them to donate to Kicking The Stigma, a mental health awareness non-profit organization.
What’s in the Jim Irsay Collection? Kurt Cobain’s guitar from Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video and Ringo Starr’s drum kit from the early days of the Beatles. Bob Dylan’s Stratocaster from the day he went electric at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965 and a grand piano Elton John played on tour for two decades.
You know, this and that, little things.
The Jim Irsay Band is an equally acclaimed group. Irsay sings a little and plays harmonica, but the rest of the band includes musicians such as bassist Mike Mills of REM, drummer Kenny Aronoff, who’s played with Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, and the Rolling Stones, guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and more.
And now, Ann Wilson, Kevin Cronin, Buddy Guy, Billy Gibbons and Peter Wolf, too.
To get tickets go to Jimirsaycollection.com. Did we mention the exhibition and concert are free? So what are you waiting for?
