Featured Photo by LUIS MORENO
Moby performed a wide range of songs including those from Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones at Jail Guitar Doors’ Rock Out 5! at The Ford Theatres in Hollywood Saturday night.
Moby was joined by Wayne Kramer, Benmont Tench, Jason Heath and classic jazz artists in a night that spanned different genres of music, all to raise money for Kramer’s charity Jail Guitar Doors USA.
Moby said he had never been to the Ford Theatres before and said it might be one of the most beautiful venues in Los Angeles.
In addition to playing covers, Moby introduced his “South Side” by saying he had something in common with Jimi Hendrix.
“Jimi Hendrix and I have one thing in common,” Moby said. “I love Jimi Hendrix I revere him I love his music. We have one thing in common: We both in the course of our careers have only had one U.S. top 10 song on the U.S. pop charts and this is my one top 10 song.”
Moby said he got on board with the Jail Guitar Doors charity for a range of reasons. He said JGD interrupts “the trajectory that brings young people to prison,” he said. “Music promotes neurogenesis, decreases stress hormones, it’s not just fun it can heal people. And more practically, for a lot of these kids who might be juvenile offenders and whatnot, music can really be a career option.”
Kramer said there is a need for creative outlet for everyone, and in particular to those in jail. He said JGD would be working with Los Angeles County to bring services to young people before they become offenders behind bars in the system.
Kramer said they were looking for a setting where the young people can “do their music, sculpture, do their writing, do all the things that are not criminal justice involved. If we can prevent young people from entering the criminal justice system we all end up better.”
Moby’s band including Mindy Jones, Tripp Beam, Julie Mintz, Jonathan Nesvadba, Daron Murphy and Laura Dawn. Special guest Benmont Tench of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers ripped on the keyboards and it’s obvious he is able to perform any type of music he’s assigned.
The opening set by Soledad Jazz Workshop with pianist Jack Bowers featured legend Phil Ranelin (The Tribe) and impressed as did former Los Angeles Poet Laureate Luis Rodriguez who amazed the crowd with inspirational words.
Moby set list: Extreme Ways; South Side; Gimme Shelter; Dark Cloud is Coming; 20th Century Boy; Helpless; We Are All made of Stars; Natural Blues; Whole Lotta Love/ Honey; Stairway to Heaven.
