WEISSFEST 2021: Carmine Appice, Bumblefoot and Jerry Gaskill jammed with Keith Roth and his band, City Asylum. Little Ozzy closed the 2-day rock show.
Check out highlights from WEISSFEST 2021 at the Middletown Art Center in New Jersey with photographer Mark ”WEISSGUY” Weiss’ Photography Exhibition celebrating the one year anniversary of his best-selling book, The Decade That Rocked.
The event was designed to raise awareness and support for the non-profit that operates the Middletown Arts Center in the New Jersey town where Weiss has been living for the last three decades. Maggie O’Brien, the Executive Director at the MAC spoke a few words to the audience. “This whole process, this whole WEISSFEST has been in the works for a couple months and Mark has been incredible, coming here, volunteering his time and doing so much work on this.”
“We are so grateful to Mark for reaching out to help us during these difficult times,” said O’Brien. “We got hit really hard during Covid and then a devastating flood that damaged the building. This is a wonderful facility that offers so many programs for children, adults, seniors, individuals with disabilities. We are operating seven days a week all year.”
Friday started off with Kodiak, a band that Carmine Appice is mentoring, followed by Keith Roth’s City Asylum. The band was joined by very special guests, Jerry Gaskill from Kings X and then Bumblefoot performing a few tunes. Jerry turned over his sticks to legendary drummer, Carmine Appice, who played Zeps’ “Misty Mountain Hop”. Famed comedian Don Jamieson from That Metal Show dedicated Cheap Trick’s “He’s a Whore” to his Metal show partner in crime, Jim Florentine. As City Asylum was coming to an end, Master of Ceremonies, Mark “Weissguy” Weiss joined in singing a couple of Alice Cooper’s songs, “Welcome to My Nightmare” and “I’m Eighteen.”
Closing on Friday, June 25 was Just Sabbath. Mark was showing off his iconic photographs in between sets, signing books, selling prints and telling stories.
The second night featured Gemstone, a new band featuring alumni of the Rockit Academy. Mark serves on the Advisory Board of Rockit, New Jersey’s premier non-profit band performance and instruction program for young musicians which actually started at the Middletown Arts Center before going to Count Basie and then to its current home at Brookdale. “I watched these kids grow up playing rock music,” Mark told the crowd. “ I was shooting these guys when they just became teenagers. Now they are all grown up and carrying the Rock n ‘Roll torch, playing their own original songs. I am really proud of them. Definitely a band to look out for.”
Other talented Rockit musicians followed Gemstone, including 10-year-old Kobi Reese, in full Alice Cooper makeup, with his version of Cooper’s “I’m Eighteen” with other Rockit students. An amazing Mötley Crüe Tribute band, Sixx Seconds To Mars, then took the stage much to the delight of the audience. Closing the show was Little Ozzy, who rose to fame after appearing on America’s Got Talent at Sharon Osbourne’s request.
For a personalized copy of The Decade That Rocked go to TheDecadeThatRocked.com/shop
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