Earlier this year, it was announced that Ivan Julian, guitarist for Richard Hell & the Voidoids, was suffering from cancer and, while the prognosis is good, he has been wracking up some major medical bills.
A GoFundMe page was set up to help with those bills but that is just a small portion of the money needed. As is explained on the page:
The prognosis looks optimistic, but Ivan has been unable to work for several months and when he’ll be able to return is indefinite while he undergoes treatment and the aftermath. This is a direct impact on his income. Working musicians know that the music world is a month to month gamble at best, without benefits like disability or paid sick leave. Ivan is facing substantial out of pocket medical costs and the challenge of meeting the essential cost of living.
Julian’s label, Plowboy Records, is donating 100% of the proceeds from Ivan’s band, The Fauntleroys, to the cause and, on May 4, a benefit concert will be held at New York’s City Winery to further help him and his family.
That show is already sold out but there is a waiting list if further tickets become available to see a lineup that includes Debbie Harry, Richard Hell, Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Ian Hunter, Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith Group), Garland Jeffreys, Willie Nile, Bush Tetras, The Dictators and Richard Barone.
Plus, the house band will include James Mastro & Nicholas Tremulis (guitar), Tony Shanahan (Patti Smith Group, bass) Fred Smith (bass), Vinny DeNunzio (percussion) Al Maddy (keyboards, guitar) Steve Goulding (drums).
Richard Hell wrote on the GoFundMe page:
I’ve known Ivan since he was 21, in spring 1976 (40 years ago), when Bob Quine and Marc Bell and I were auditioning people to become Quine’s Voidoid co-guitarist. Bob was so impressed by Ivan’s chops, he copped the slot on the spot. He’s only gotten better, year after year, as a player and all around monster of goodness, and that’s the truth. I love him. It’s horrible that he has to suffer some terribly painful, life-threatening illness, and have it ravage him financially as well. American barbarism. What’s left are his friends, admirers, and sympathizers. Please contribute to his fund if you possibly can.
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