Entwistle Foundation hosts art, memorabilia show at Davis Center

SPECIAL TO FLORIDA WEEKLY John Entwistle and Steve Luongo on stage. The Classic Rock Cares Art and Memorabilia show, a fundraising effort by the John Entwistle Foundation, will open July 17 at The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. The show features the art and rare personal items of the late John Entwistle, bass guitarist for The Who.

The show will also include collectibles and signed memorabilia from other classic rockers, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith and others, coupled with a huge display of authentic vintage concert posters valued at more than $1 million.

Though Mr. Entwistle is best known as the bass guitarist for The Who, he was also a prolific artist who created pen and ink drawings of other rock stars. Many of Mr. Entwistle's drawings and personal items were donated to the foundation by his estate. The event will feature his hand-written lyrics for The Who, personal diaries from Woodstock 1969, unpublished book chapters, and itineraries from several of the band's tours.

The highlight of the show will be Mr. Entwistle's one-of-a-kind prototype graphite Buzzard Bass, built from his original design and played on stage with The Who. The guitar's estimated value is close to $500,000.

PHOTO BY NANCY DENIKE / COURTESY OF THE JOHN ENTWISTLE FOUNDATION Steve Luongo, executive director of the John Entwistle Foundation, with future rockers. There will also be video presentations throughout the gallery and live music performed outside.

Steve Luongo and friends will perform at the Sunday VIP event. Mr. Luongo was Mr. Entwistle's drummer/producer and close friend for 15 years. Mr. Luongo now serves as the foundation's executive director.

"We are blending together the feel of a night club, an art gallery, a bistro and a rock festival with a collectible auction thrown in." said Mr. Luongo.

The show will debut at The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center on Friday, July 17, and run through the weekend. It will close with an exclusive VIP event Sunday evening.

The John Entwistle Foundation provides free and easy access to musical instruments and education for children in need through public libraries and children's hospitals. Last year, the foundation opened two new music therapy rooms in Southwest Florida hospitals named for the singer and bass player of the rock group AC/DC.

For more information, call the John Entwistle Foundation at 482-6880 or visit www.ClassicRockCares.com.

The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First Street in downtown Fort Myers.