When Billy Morrison (The Cult, etc) and Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction, etc) started doing the Above Ground concerts, initially at the Belasco, we were still a couple of years away from the global pandemic that would necessarily but devastatingly shut concerts down for a while. When we did emerge later, the music world needed Above Ground, and the MusiCares organization, more than ever.
This writer spoke to the two men in 2018 before the inaugural show, and Morrison said that, "“Suicide, depression, mental illness obviously affects people that aren’t in the music business, but we obviously were affected by Scott [Weiland], Chester [Bennington], Chris [Cornell] and others. They were all connected with MusiCares. It has the biggest reach here in America. We’ve all done much work for MusiCares before — they have helped many of our friends — but just because it’s a music organization doesn’t mean that this is not for everyone. Our message is that it’s OK to ask for help no matter who you are. But this charity just happens to be very well known with a very long reach here in America, and we want our efforts to be seen by as many people as possible.”
“My message, having gone through depression myself, is that asking for help is an incredible strength,” Navarro said. “Depression, drug addiction and suicide affect so many lives beyond just the identified patient. So asking for help is offering help to family members and friends. A simple phone call, reaching out for help, can bring peace to so many lives. Even for someone who isn’t struggling with a mental health issue — I think self-care to anybody is a great thing.”
This most recent event, at the Fonda, has been postponed at least once for reasons outside of the control of the organizers. And Navarro isn't involved this time. But Morrison is, and he's assembled an impressive selection of musicians to perform the debut albums of the New York Dolls and The Cars.
"Originally set for January 2025, the rescheduled show marks the fourth iteration of the event which will again raise awareness and funds for mental health and suicide prevention," a statement read, prior to the event. "The ABOVE GROUND team made the decision to postpone the event until later in the year following the horrific wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles earlier this year."
It was worth the wait.
As has become the norm with Above Ground shows, a revolving lineup of musicians blast through the chosen albums, and that leads to some fascinating pairings. Right from the off, for example, we're -resented with the glorious sight of guitarist Steve Stevens (Billy Idol's band) ripping through the Dolls' "Personality Crisis" and "Looking for a Kiss" with Slipknot singer Corey Taylor. Anyone concerned that Taylor might be too metal to do the Dolls' trash-punk justice needn't have been; the man was a bit of a revelation in these surroundings.
Franky Perez (Apocalyptica) sings "Vietnamese Baby," before Morrison himself croons through "Lonely Planet Boy." Another revelation, Derek Day, offers up the challenging "Frankenstein," before huge cheers greet the arrival of Billy Idol himself, for a manic "Trash."
A change of guitarist sees former Guns N' Roses man Gilby Clarke join the party, and he's joined by Dirty Honey singer Marc LaBelle for "Bad Girl." Jesse Hughes (Eagles of Death Metal) isn't far behind, and Clarke himself does a great job of the Bo Diddley-turned-Dolls classic "Pills."
Taylor returns to the stage for a blast through "Jet Boy," and that's the New York Dolls portion of the evening done.
After a short break, it's Cars time. Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt performs double duty, singing the first two songs ("Good Times Roll" and "Best Friend's Girl"). Idol returns for "Just What I Needed," before Donovan Leitch offers up a wonderfully kooky "I'm in Touch with Your World."
Sully Erna (Godsmack) takes to the stage with Billy Howerdel (A Perfect Circle) and Josh Freese (Vandals, every band ever), before actual Cars guitarist Elliot Easton is joined by Rick Springfield for the final songs on the album. Bliss!
There was still time for some encores. Springfield stuck around for an excerpt from "Jesse's Girl" with Bettencourt, and then a rollicking rendition of the Kinks' "You Really Got Me." Idol and Stevens came back for a crowd-pleasing "Rebel Yell," and then rap took over.
B-Real of Cypress Hill stepped up for a crunchy "(Rock) Superstar," and he was followed by DMC of Run DMC. He performed an awesome "It's Tricky" with, strangely enough, Donovan Leitch. Then Derek Day returned to sing the Steven Tyler parts on "Walk This Way." DMC ended the show with a huge bang.
Above Ground is no ordinary show, but it proved itself to be a spectacular one.
Photos by Jane Stuart
