The Audio Perv

By Tina Benitez

Julian Lennon, rock photography royalty including Mick Rock, Merri Cyr and Bob Gruen, actress Gina Gershon and others were under one roof last night for the 10th anniversary benefit concert for the Morrison Hotel Gallery at the Cutting Room Thursday night. A Joel Brodsky-captured, bare-chested and back-arched Iggy Pop in black and white, candid glimpses of the Beatles through Robert Whitaker’s eyes, a kaleidoscope-colored Bowie circa Ziggy Stardust (Rock) and more were on display and part of a silent auction. A percentage of proceeds from the event went to Rational Animal, a New York non-profit that works to improve the lives of homeless animals in the city and the White Feather Foundation, which helps increase awareness of environmental and humanitarian issues.

Cocktails paying homage to Beatles’ “Blackbird” from The White Album and other rock classics, a night video tribute to legendary photographer Herman Leonard with Joey Ramone’s Louis Armstrong cover of “What a Wonderful World” playing in the background opened the night. Famous for capturing Etta James, Frank Sinatra, a young Tony Bennett, Miles Davis and other legends, Leonard passed away last year at the age of 87.

“I’m sweating like a hooker in church,” said Soprano’s star, and one of the evening’s co-hosts, Dominic Chianese. Along with Morrison Hotel Gallery founders, former music executive Peter Blachley, former record store owner Rich Horowitz and photographer Henry Diltz, Chianese was one of the evening’s surprise guests; Actress Gina Gershon even joined the ranks.

Modern Folk Quartet, a folk revival group that formed in Hawaii in 1961 and haven’t performed as the original lineup since 1965, opened the night’s live music. Once produced by Phil Spector, the band, which also features Diltz on guitar, instantly gelled on stage as if no time had passed—much less 46 years. Featuring photographer Danny Clinch, the Tangier Blues Band rounded out the night’s live music.

Julian Lennon flanked by Morrison Hotel founders (from l to r) Henry Diltz, Rich Horowitz, Lennon and Robert Blachley.

Bebe Buell (center) and legendary rock photographer Mick Rock, right. (help us identify who’s on the far left!)

The Doors on a wall.

Montage of silent auction prizes.