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Guitarist Dave Kushner discusses the charity event Rhonda’s Kiss (Includes interview)

For one night only on Tuesday November 3 2015, the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles will pay host to a lavish concert and auction designed to raise money and awareness for Rhonda’s Kiss, a foundation that assists cancer sufferers who struggle to pay for their treatment.

Compered by comedian Bill Burr, a number of well known faces on the Los Angeles music scene will also be in attendance doing what they do best, former Guns ‘n’ Roses alumni Duff McKagen and Gilby Clarke, singer/actress Juliette Lewis and co-organiser Dave Kushner among them.

Rhonda’s Kiss is named after Rhonda Stefanski, a wife and mother from Cleveland, Ohio who passed away from pancreatic cancer in November 2014. Thankfully Rhonda’s family were able to afford her treatment, but were all too aware of those less fortunate than themselves and were determined to help.

Rhonda’s husband Marc Stefanski and the couple’s children put on the very first Rhonda’s Kiss event at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on July 15, raising over $600,000 for the fledgling charity.

“My wife and I were put in touch with Kyle, the son, through a mutual friend,” says Dave, reflecting on how he first became involved with an organisation clearly very close to his heart. “They had done one event in Cleveland, their hometown, and wanted to do one in L.A.

“Basically my mom died of cancer five years ago and my wife survived cancer three years ago and when we heard what it was, we just wanted to be involved. My wife’s company is producing the event and together we’re bringing all those aspects of entertainment.

“All of the money raised goes to helping people who’ve been diagnosed with cancer who can’t afford treatment, through the City of Hope hospital here in L.A.”

The group Kushner has put together is called The Hellcat Saints and joining the artists already mentioned will be Dave Navarro, Mark McGrath and Josh Freese. Billy Idol has recently been added to the lineup too and more major names are expected to follow. I asked Dave, a criminally underrated musician, how the band was formed.

“This event came about and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to start a project where I could create a moniker and play with musicians that I love and respect,” he explains. “I was born and raised in Los Angeles and I know a lot of people and I’ve played with a lot of people.”

So the idea is that the band will remain on stage all night and its members will go off and come back on? “Probably Duff and I and Gilby and Josh will all stay on stage for the whole thing… We’ll have different singers coming out, doing a few songs, and then the next singer coming out and doing a few songs – kinda like that.”

“That’s what were planning for,” replies the guitarist, who first met Slash at school, to a question about whether surprise guests will be turning up on the night, “but at this level with people’s availability, you just never know.

“I don’t want to set up an expectation for 1700 people, but I think if you look at all the entertainment you’re getting for the ticket price… and that money is going to help people.”

Rhonda s Kiss  November 3 2015.

Rhonda’s Kiss, November 3 2015.
Libby Coffey

Besides the music and stand-up comedy, the items up for auction include a three-night stay at a hotel in Cancun, Mexico, a two-night sojourn in Cabo San Lucas, an Epiphone Guiter signed by Slash, a Fender Stratocaster signed by members of The Hellcat Saints and two tickets to a live recording of The Voice.

Moving away from the concert for a moment, I quizzed Dave over his other recent activities. “I’ve done a lot of charity events. I did one with Royal Machines a few weeks back, I did one for a school… Professionally, I just finished doing the music for a show on Netflix.

“That’s actually how I met Bill Burr and became friends with him. It’s called F Is for Family and it comes out in December. It’s an adult-themed animated show that Bill helped create.”

From 2002 to 2008, Kushner was a member of the Grammy Award-winning Velvet Revolver (Best Hard Rock Performance for “Slither” in 2005) along with Slash, Duff, Matt Sorum and vocalist Scott Weiland. Unsurprisingly, my final question was: “What are the chances of the band getting back together again one day?”

“I honestly don’t know,” admits the 48-year-old veteran of numerous hard rock acts. “I mean it’s not going to happen tomorrow, but in this business I’ve learned to never say never.”

The Rhonda’s Kiss Benefit Concert takes place at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles on November 3. Tickets can be purchased here.

To learn more about the foundation, or to donate directly, go here.

For more information on Dave Kushner, visit his official website.

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