Arthur Lee diagnosed with leukemia

> Arthur Lee from Love has recently been
> diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
> (ALL) and has undergone 3 weeks of aggressive
> chemotherapy. Doctors are hopeful for a full
> recovery, but Arthur still faces more chemo,
> extensive hospital stays, and a possible bone
> marrow transplant. Arthur Lee has no health
> insurance to cover his growing (over
> $100,000+) medical bills.
>
> Arthur Lee (Love) is a man larger than life.
> A flamboyant artist with a trail of myth and
> mythology that follows him like a purple
> feathered boa. His band Love was the first
> rock band signed to Electra, and Arthur is
> responsible for talking Jac Holtzman into
> signing the Doors. Before all this, in 1964,
> Arthur gave his friend, an unknown Jimi
> Hendrix, his first appearance on record (the
> Arthur penned My Diary, by Rosa Lee Brooks).
> Love's third recording, "Forever Changes", is
> still widely considered to be one of the great
> rock n roll discs of all time. Love were true
> artists, but not "careerist". They preferred
> living together in "the castle" near Griffith
> Park, to life on the road. Arthur even turned
> down invitations to perform at the Monterrey
> Pop Festival and Woodstock.
>
> In the 90's Arthur spent eight years behind
> bars for "allegedly" shooting off a gun in
> his apartment. When he was released, he
> wasted no time getting back to the road and
> his music. During the past four years, Arthur
> has performed "Forever Changes" to sold out
> audiences and fantastic reviews throughout
> Europe and the United States, backed by the
> local group Baby Lemonade, and a string and
> horn section. Just when he thought his bad
> times were finally over, he learned he was
> sick.
>
> To help cover his medical expenses, Spaceland
> Productions, Bruce Solar from The Agency
> Group, and Mark Linn from Delmore Recording
> Society are producing a benefit concert /
> tribute for Arthur. We would like to extend a
> warm invitation to those bands and performers
> who want to be part of this benefit to honor
> one of the greatest singer / songwriters of
> our time.
>
> The concert will be held in late May / early
> June; we are looking at venues of all sizes:
> The Avalon, El Rey, Disney Hall, or Greek
> Theatre with the line up determining the
> location. Artists we are currently speaking
> with include X, Calexico, and Cake. Baby
> Lemonade is available to back up any singer
> and there will be a string section as well.
>
> We are looking for artists to perform a few
> of Arthur's songs that capture the spirit and
> magic of Arthur Lee & Love. All proceeds will
> go to Arthur's medical expenses.
>
> For further information please contact:
>
> Mitchell Frank or Liz Garo: 323 662 7728
> Bruce Solar: 310 385 2800
> Mark Linn: 615 480 6923
>
>
> Thank you.