The Jersey Shore Music Association Raises $1,000 for Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez

The Jersey Shore Music Association announced it raised $1,000 for Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez, the original drummer in the E Street Band, to help pay for hospital bills for his wife Laurel who recently passed away.

(PRWEB) May 7, 2004 -- The JSMA (Jersey Shore Music Association) a non-profit group dedicated to preserving Asbury Park's rock and roll history announced that it raised $1,000 for Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez during the "May Day for Mad Dog" benefit show on May 2nd. The money was largely raised by the sales of special t-shirts featuring a photograph of Vini Lopez from his days playing at the legendary Upstage Club in Asbury Park. The benefit show featured acts like Glen Burtnick, Joe D'Urso, Boccigalupe & the Bad Boys, George Theiss Band, Robbin Thompson, Pat Guadagno, and Vini Lopez's current band, Steel Mill Retro. Money raised will go to paying hospital bills for Laurel Lopez, the wife of Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez' who recently passed away.

The special Vini Lopez t-shirt was just one of over a thousand slides that exist in the collection of Carrie Potter, the Granddaughter of original Upstage Club owner, Tom Potter. All of the slides were taken between 1967 and 1971 and show artists like Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny, Bill Chinnock, Vini Lopez, Garry Tallent, Danny Federici, Steven Van Zandt, Robbin Thompson, and David Sancious during their teenage years.

Tom Potter was the owner of the Upstage Club in Asbury Park which existed from 1967 through 1971. An avid photographer, Tom shot all the action on stage and off, said David J. Mieras, a founding JSMA associate and Upstage Club member. The collection portrays the definitive birthplace of Rock 'n Roll in Asbury Park. Teenage musicians from around the shore made Upstage Club their home base and today are some of the most recognizable names in the entertainment industry. This is the period when Bruce Springsteen wrote songs in Tom's apartment, just a stones throw from the club. A number of years later the songs debuted on the E Street Band's first album, Greetings From Asbury Park.

The collection consists of approximately 1,000 slides and 2,000 undeveloped negatives, circa 1969. The pictures were handed down to Tom Potter's Granddaughter Carrie when he passed away. Relegated to the attic and unseen for 30 plus years, the collection surfaced when JSMA founding associate Ms. Potter heard about a book titled, Beyond the Palace. She located the author, JSMA founding associate Gary Wien because the first chapter was about the Upstage Club. A trip from her home State of Texas was arranged and her Dad Greg advised that she hook up with David.

"An impromptu slide show at Vini's home was amazing," David said. "We traveled back in time that night in December of 2003 and I will always remember how happy Vini's wife Laurel was seeing her rock star husband in the photos with his life long buds. Back then, Asbury Park was a viable tourist destination and hotbed of up and coming talent. Local bands of the era performed in clubs named the Sunshine Inn, The Wonder Bar, Steve Brody's, the Student Prince and famous national and internationals acts were booked at City of Asbury Park owned venues on the boardwalk. The UPSTAGE CLUB was where the musicians met, formed associations and took on the world through their music. Besides Bruce, Southside Johnny, Little Steven, David Sancious, Garry Tallent, Danny Federici, Robbin Thompson, Vini "Mad Dog" Lopez, Bill Chinnock and a host of other Jersey Rockers have high quality images they can proudly say are included in the one-of-a-kind chronicle."

The present JSMA objective is to restore, preserve, archive, develop and transfer to DVD the historical assortment of images and to ultimately house the collection in a museum dedicated to promoting Asbury Park's Rock 'n Roll history. In addition, the JSMA seeks to bring back the Upstage Club as a place where local musicians can once again play all night long and sharpen their skills.

"We're not just interested in preserving Asbury Park's rock and roll history," said Gary Wien. "We're interested in helping to create the next generation of artists. There's so much talent in the area that we may have the next Springsteen just looking for a place to play. The Upstage Club challenged artists to be better each time they went on stage, we want to bring that type of atmosphere back to Asbury Park."

JSMA has designed exclusive T-shirts for the benefit which can be purchased. A trailer to showcase the collection is being assembled and a professional film crew will cover the event. The JSMA invites all fans and friends to attend and learn more about the goals of the organization and enjoy the sounds. A unique "adopt a rocker" initiative is planned where people can sponsor the rescue of individual photos through the entire preservation process. Visit www.jsma.org for more details.