Rock ’n’ Roll Legends Headline at Riviera Charity Event

By ERIKA MARTIN | Reporter

The Who, Eddie Vedder and Joan Jett sharing one stage—it wasn’t a blockbuster concert at the Hollywood Bowl but an intimate Tuesday night in Palisadians Jordan and Christine Kaplan’s backyard.

More than 700 people turned out for the sold-out event, Who Cares About the Next Generation, which raised an estimated $3.2 million for the UCLA Health Autism Treatment Program and the seminal British rock band’s own Who Cares Teen Cancer America program.

Comedian David Spade rounded out the night’s performances, and game show host Howie Mandel led a live auction featuring a variety of items such as rock and roll memorabilia, concert tickets and hotel packages. Two personal boxing sessions with Palisadian Sugar Ray Leonard went for $50,000 each.

Huntington resident Linda Sherman said she was in awe of the beautifully organized event, which provided a lovely way to support a great cause.

“People are really stepping up and being generous,” she noted. “It’s for the kids. So many can’t afford treatments—they need this.”

Teen Cancer America, founded by The Who’s Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, aims to help healthcare professionals bridge the gap between pediatric and adult oncology care by developing specialized units for this age group. The duo has a longstanding relationship with the nonprofit’s British arm and has been hosting an annual Who Cares event in the U.S. since 2006.

The UCLA Health Autism Treatment Program, meanwhile, works to push forward clinical research on the disorder and establish state-of-the-art, free programs to serve the growing population of families with children on the autism spectrum.

Despite the heavy pull of the open bar and smorgasbord of cuisine—featuring everything from sushi to chicken and waffles to flatbreads and cake pops—the evening’s activity centered around the stage, large and well-lit enough to look like it belonged at Coachella.

Jett kicked off the night’s performances, setting the bar high with an electrifying stage presence.

Her band jump-started the rollicking evening with rousing renditions of crowd favorites such as “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll,” “Crimson and Clover” and “Bad Reputation.”

Former Pearl Jam frontman Vedder then took the night for a more understated turn, crooning acoustic folk-rock ballads.

“Here’s a song about estate planning,” he joked before going into “Last Will and Testament,” which he dedicated to Prince. The rocker also pulled out a ukulele to perform songs such as “Rise” and “Ukulele Anthem.”

Vedder was joined on stage by Simon Townshend, younger brother of The Who guitarist Pete Townshend, for “I’m the Answer,” which Simon wrote. Vedder returned the favor during The Who’s set, joining the band “The Real Me.”

The evening’s headliners were met with the cheers of an audience aware they’re being treated to a piece of rock and roll history.

Daltrey and Townshend, the band’s legendary lead vocalist and guitarist and its two remaining founding members, delivered a performance packed with intensity and irreverence, tearing through favorites such as “Baba O’Riley,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” “Pinball Wizard” and “My Generation.”

Townshend took to the microphone to apologize for how poor the sound quality was, but the audience didn’t seem to agree there was a problem.

Paul Stanley, guitarist in the band Kiss, was on hand to auction off the opportunity to spend a day in rehearsal with the band and take home signed instruments from each member.

“Any cause that helps people in need is a worthy cause,” Stanley said. “And I think this organization is great because it helps teens, who sometimes fall between the cracks. Children and older people are focused on but teens don’t get a fair shrift.”

British artist Hayden Kays’ piece “Those Who Suffer Love” was up for grabs in the silent auction, marking the first time his work was available for purchase in the U.S.

“It’s a charity that all the money goes to doing good things for the people,” Kays said of Teen Cancer America. “It’s incredible for them to have a home, care and an environment they can have others their age for support.”