LIC Bar to pay tribute to 'The Who', raise funds for band's charity while rock legends are in town

Rob Basch, Gus Rodriguez (LICBar) and Roger Daltrey

March 18, 2015 By Christian Murray

A Long Island City bar with strong ties to British rock legends ‘The Who’ is organizing a fundraiser to help support the band’s main charity—Teen Cancer America.

LIC Bar, located at 45-58 Vernon Blvd., was helped by The Who shortly after Superstorm Sandy wrecked its sound system when its basement was flooded. When the band heard about LIC Bar’s plight it donated equipment to help the popular music venue get back on its feet.

The bar decided to repay The Who months later by holding a fundraiser on behalf of the band’s primary charity–Teen Cancer America. At the time, the bar hosted the group ‘Who’s Next’, a tribute band, and raised $7,000. Hundreds attended and the venue was sold out.

The bar is holding a similar event on May 29 on behalf of Teen Cancer America, the night before The Who plays at the historic Forest Hills Stadium. The last time The Who played Forest Hills was in 1971 when they promoted the release of their classic album “Who’s Next.”

“We always planned to do another event and now the timing is right,” said Rob Basch, the president of the Hunters Point Parks Conversancy, who is organizing it. Furthermore, members of the band are in New York City to discuss the funding of a teenage cancer facility at Memorial Sloan Kettering, which is being built.

After the 2013 fundraiser, Roger Daltrey, the lead singer, personally met with the organizers of the LIC Bar event and expressed his gratitude.

“Roger Daltrey was incredible. He told me how pleased he was that a small local venue similar to where they played in the early days was able to make such an impact for his cause,” Basch said. “He said it had been his pleasure to help us out in our time of need and he was touched by what we had done for Teen Cancer America.”

The Teen Cancer charity began in the UK where it has helped transform the UK health system by building specialist facilities and programs for teenagers with cancer in every major cancer center.

Teen Cancer America aims to replicate the British success and create these specialist centers across the United States.

LIC Bar’s May 29 event will feature ‘Who’s Next’ and the band will be performing the same set The Who played at Forest Hills Stadium in 1971 and some other favorites.

In addition to Who’s Next there will be special guests plus raffles of The Who memorabilia. Last time, a Gibson SG guitar autographed by Pete Townshend was raffled off.

Members of the band have not made a commitment as to whether they will attend. However, they will be in New York the night of the event.

Tickets: $20.

Date: May 29

Time: 7 pm

Tickets are about to go on sale at LICBAR.com