The Who, Foo Fighters, Pink and Kenny Loggins Raise $4 million at Teen Cancer America Backyard Concert

In October, on the heels of their U.S. tour, The Who joined forces with Foo Fighters, Pink and Kenny Loggins at a private residence in Los Angeles to raise millions for UCLA Health and Teen Cancer America (TCA), the national non-profit founded by Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend.

With Howie Mandel as auctioneer and Judd Apatow as Master of Ceremonies, the annual TCA Backyard Concert was staged again this year at the home of Jordan and Christine Kaplan. Mr. Kaplan serves on the TCA Board of Directors along with Becky Mancuso-Winding, Executive Director of Development at UCLA Health, and board chairman Rebecca Rothstein who co-hosted the event. The fundraiser netted over $4 million for UCLA Health autism and breast cancer programs and TCA’s specialized oncology services for adolescents and young adults.

One of the hottest private event tickets of the year, the TCA Backyard Concert has raised more than $20 million since it was started in 2015. “The goal for this evening and all of our fundraising activities is to change the national standard of care in the U.S. for teenagers with cancer,” said Daltrey.

In addition to enjoying the all-star live performances, attendees had the chance to bid on rare rock n’ roll memorabilia. The auction lot featured a guitar autographed by Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Ed Sheeran, Dave Grohl, Brian Wilson, Brian May, Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Linda Ronstadt, Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Robert Plant, Don McLean, Peter Frampton and others, including original members of Crickets. The authentic replica of Buddy Holly’s Gibson J-45 was donated by Peter Bradley Jr., executive director of the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, a TCA partner since 2018.

TCA's Rebecca Rothstein, John Paul Di Joria and Jordan Kaplan chat before the Garden Party fundraiser in Kaplan's backyard for UCLA Health and TCA on Oct. 25, 2019.
Pink performs at the Garden Party fundraiser in Jordan Kaplan's backyard for UCLA Health and TCA on Oct. 25, 2019.
The Foo Fighters perform at the Garden Party fundraiser in Jordan Kaplan's backyard for UCLA Health and TCA on Oct. 25, 2019.
The Who performs at the Garden Party fundraiser in Jordan Kaplan's backyard for UCLA Health and TCA on Oct. 25, 2019.
Crowd Photo
Judd Apatow and Hernana Barangan
Kenny Loggins
Roger Daltrey and cancer survivor Allie Newman

The auction, also featured an original oil painting of Buddy Holly by Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones, concert experiences with KISS, a one-of-a-kind Bremont chronograph mechanical watch, and the opportunity to play drums on The Who classic “Pinball Wizard” with the band.

“The Backyard Concert has become the marquee event for TCA each year, and we’re so grateful to The Who and all the amazing performers who donate their time to help our organization raise money,” said Rothstein, Managing Director of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management in Beverly Hills. “We’re also deeply appreciative of the efforts of our wonderful partners, and of course all the patrons who help TCA fulfill its mission.”

About Teen Cancer America

Teen Cancer America helps hospitals and healthcare professionals bridge the gap between pediatric and adult oncology care by supporting hospitals and outpatient facilities in the development of specialized units and programs for this age group. TCA brings together physicians and allied healthcare professionals in both pediatric and adult oncology. Age-targeted care for this population is necessary for medical and appropriate psychosocial development. Outcomes associated with some cancers that target this age group have not improved in over 30 years. Teens and young adults with cancer are long overdue for an upgrade and TCA can hopefully light the fire in America’s health systems. For more information, contact Michelle Aland michelle@teencanceramerica.org or visit www.teencanceramerica.org.

About UCLA Health

UCLA Health is among the most comprehensive and advanced health care systems in the world. Together, UCLA Health and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA redefine standards of excellence in health care. Consistently ranked among the best in the nation, UCLA Health is on the cutting edge of biomedical research, and their doctors and scientists do pioneering work across an astounding range of disciplines, from organ transplantation and cardiac surgery to neurosurgery, comprehensive cancer treatment, autism and a multitude of other physical and neuropsychiatric conditions and diseases. Support of this event will provide funding for a number of UCLA Health high-touch patient programs and support services specific to cancer treatment and autism.

Photo Credits: William Snyder; Craig Weston; Tanya Barcessat; and SITK Photographer

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About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.