Live Recording of fundraising concert to benefit the restoration and re-opening of Palm Springs’ historic theatre, The Plaza.

As Sam Cooke sang, ‘It’s been a long time coming’ and that’s the story of Rock The Plaza and the Plaza Theatre’s restoration. The grand Spanish-style venue was the centerpiece of Palm Springs entertainment for decades, and thanks to the efforts of many residents and a group of committed rockers who got involved, it is just that once again.

—Bob Merlis from the liner notes to Rock The Plaza

It takes a lot of time, money, and dedication, to restore anything of historical importance. And the Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs, California was just the type of venue that required these three key ingredients. Opened to the public for the first time in 1936, this classic Art Deco building was the site of many grand events over the past 100 years.

And so it was on November 11, 2022, spearheaded by Brian Ray (Sir Paul McCartney’s guitar gunslinger for the past 20+ years), a gala fundraiser was held to restore one of Palm Springs’ most treasured landmarks, the historic Plaza Theatre.

Ray and his co-musical director Spike Edney (Queen, Clapton, Elton, Aretha) put together an all-star band to back the four headliners for the evening’s show. And what headliners they were: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee Alice Cooper; Paul Rodgers (highly acclaimed lead singer of Bad Company and Free); legendary modern rock artist and Palm Springs native Joshua Homme (Queens Of The Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures) and Australian guitar goddess Orianthi (Michael Jackson, Richie Sambora).

The backing band behind these legends in addition to Ray and Edney included Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses), Eric Singer (KISS, Black Sabbath), John Button (Shakira, The Who, Sheryl Crow) and the guitarist’s guitarist, Pete Thorn. Their musicianship inspired Alice Cooper to say after his set, “what a band… best band in the land right there!”

What made this evening truly memorable were not only the stellar versions of the artists’ classic hits (“School’s Out,” “I’m Eighteen,” “Can’t Get Enough,” “All Right Now,” and “I Sat By The Ocean”) but completely unique covers each member of the band contributed… hear Joshua Homme’s spot-on take of Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” Paul Rodgers singing Sam & Dave’s infectious “I Thank You,” Alice Cooper’s triumphant cover of The Who’s “My Generation,” and Orianthi and Brian Ray’s playful version of the Sonny & Cher duet “I Got You Babe” and more!!

So sit back and go back to 2022 when rock legends walked the earth, “turned it up to eleven” and a memorable night of fun and music went into a worthy cause to Rock The Plaza!

CD / 2-LP / Digital Track List:

1. No More Mister Nice Guy – Alice Cooper
2. I’m Eighteen – Alice Cooper
3. Under My Wheels – Alice Cooper
4. School’s Out/Another Brick In The Wall – Alice Cooper
5. Let’s Dance – Joshua Homme
6. Something Stupid – Joshua Homme with Orianthi
7. These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ – Orianthi
8. I Got You Babe – Orianthi with Brian Ray
9. Right Down The Line – Joshua Homme
10. I Sat By The Ocean – Joshua Homme
11. Can’t Get Enough – Paul Rodgers
12. I Thank You – Paul Rodgers
13. Feel Like Makin’ Love – Paul Rodgers
14. Rebel Rebel – Jay Nailor
15. My Generation – Alice Cooper
16. All Right Now – Paul Rodgers