MANHATTAN, NY—Ivan Julian played guitar in Richard Hell & The Voidoids beginning in 1976 during the nascent days of punk rock. Recently Julian was diagnosed with cancer and began six months of treatment. Many of Julian’s contemporary musicians rallied at City Winery for two benefit concerts to raise funds for his medical bills, even as a GoFundMe page was set up for public contributions.
The first benefit was on May 4 and included Debbie Harry (of Blondie) as master of ceremonies, Richard Hell, Vernon Reid (of Living Colour) & Burnt Sugar, Ian Hunter (formerly of Mott The Hoople), Garland Jeffreys, Willie Nile with Fred Smith (formerly of Blondie, Television), Bush Tetras, The Dictators NYC, Ira Kaplan (of Yo La Tengo), Lenny Kaye (of the Patti Smith Group), Richard Barone (of The Bongos), and others. The house band consisted of guitarists James Mastro (formerly of The Bongos, now in Ian Hunter & The Rant Band) and Nicholas Tremulis, keyboardist/guitarist Al Maddy (formerly of The Nitecaps), bassist Tony Shanahan (of the Patti Smith Group), drummer Steve Goulding (of Graham Parker & The Rumour, The Mekons) and percussionist Vinny DeNunzio (formerly of The Feelies).
A second benefit concert on May 7 included Lydia Lunch as host with performances by Richard Hell, Thurston Moore, Lee Renaldo, Matthew Sweet, Vernon Reid & Burnt Sugar, Arto Lindsey, The Dictators NYC, Ira Kaplan, and others.
To contribute to the Ivan Julian Fund, go to gofundme.com/IvanJulianFund.
Show date: May 4, 2016
