Rock royalty helping raise funds for stricken deputy02/25/2009
Some of rock music's biggest names have donated autographed guitars and percussion equipment to help a Southland sheriff's deputy who is fighting acute myeloid leukemia.
Money raised from the auction will help cover the medical expenses of Robert Corrales, who has been a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy for nearly a quarter-century.
The autographed instruments, which are being auctioned on eBay through Monday, include Alex Van Halen's brass snare drum, from his personal kit, and a drum head signed by Alex, Eddie and Wolfgang Van Halen.
Rush drummer Neil Peart donated an autographed DW drum head.
"Several of rock 'n' roll's royalty immediately stepped up," said sheriff's Deputy Mike Ascolese. He and Deputy John Maio organized the fundraiser.
Paul Stanley of KISS gave an autographed Silvertone guitar, while Slash, Matt Sorum, Duff McKagan and Dave Kushner from Velvet Revolver each signed an Epiphone guitar that had been donated by the Guitar Center's Dave Weiderman.
Corrales, who grew up in San Fernando and Pacoima, was diagnosed with leukemia last April.
Several drives have been held to look for a bone-marrow donor, but a suitable match has not yet been found because of his unusual Mexican-Chinese ancestry, organizers say.
Ninety percent of the auction proceeds will help Corrales, while 10 percent will be donated to the T.J. Martell Foundation, which is trying to find cures for leukemia, cancer, and AIDS.
The eBay auction-location numbers are: 290297815805, 290297821537, 290297834030, 290297835083, 290297837043, 290297839393.
Photos of Slash and Matt:
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_11787370Somehow I missed the photo of Duff, you can see it here:
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=115236
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