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ABOVE GROUND 4 CELEBRATED THE MUSIC OF THE NEW YORK DOLLS AND THE CARS WITH AN ALL STAR CAST OF ROCKSTARS AND MUSICIANS PERFORMING LIVE AT THE FONDA THEATRE ON OCTOBER 26, 2025, BY DON MARCELO

MusiCares, “The humans behind the music”, banded together once again with the Organization Above Ground for “ABOVE GROUND 4”, in partnership with Golden Voice, The Capital Funding Group, and Center Staging, and honored and celebrated the sounds and music of The New York Dolls and The Cars to raise funds for its mission of awareness…

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MusiCares, “The humans behind the music”, banded together once again with the Organization Above Ground for “ABOVE GROUND 4”, in partnership with Golden Voice, The Capital Funding Group, and Center Staging, and honored and celebrated the sounds and music of The New York Dolls and The Cars to raise funds for its mission of awareness and issues of mental health and suicide prevention at the renowned venue The Fonda Theatre on October 26, 2025.

Promotional poster for the Above Ground 4 event at The Fonda Theatre featuring musician names and event details for mental health awareness.

Written by Don Marcelo

Musicians came together on this evening and played and entertained a sea full of fans at The Fonda Theatre. All proceeds from this benefit show went directly to MusiCares’ Foundation.

Here are some notable artists on this bill from this evening:
* Corey Taylor
* Billy Idol
* Steve Stevens
* Josh Freese
* Elliot Easton
* Rick Springfield
* Cypress Hill
* Billy Morrison
* Nuno Bettencourt
* King DMC
* Matt Mcjunkins
* Billy Howerdel
* Derek Day
* Gilby Clarke
* AND MANY MORE…

No words can be described on what happened this evening except, AMAZING! WHAT AN AWESOME SHOW FULL OF FUN AND NON-STOP ENERGY from the beginning all the way to the end of the show. It was full of surprises such as Rick Springfield being “forced to sing” his hit song “JESSIE’S GIRL” while everyone was searching and waiting for the drummer to get back on stage. And despite the number of Media photographers in the photo pit who were astounded by the number of fog machines that often deter us from photographing and capturing great images, we were allowed to stay in the pit and shoot all night long so we still got some great shots of everyone.

‘NUFF SAID!

We can’t thank you all enough for entertaining for all of us and raging and rocking the night hard and loud. All of you were just purely amazing to watch and to listen to. The entire audience was wild and full of smiles. Hollywood was on fire on this night. All this music for a great cause.

VISIT https://www.musicares.org if you would like to help and contribute to their cause. VISIT www.abovegroundorg.com as well and contribute to a great cause and help raise awareness of the issues surrounding mental health and suicide prevention.

A huge shout out and thank you to all the organizers and PR Firm for this wonderful event and also to the music venue, The Fonda Theatre. Without you, this benefit showcase would never have been possible. So Thank you to you for organizing a wonderful event; Thank you to all the artists for all their hard work; And thank you to all the fans, especially to all the Angelenos who came together as one big family on this evening in support of this event.

Find ABOVE GROUND online at:

WEBSITE | FB | IG | X

FOLLOW AND SUPPORT EACH OF THE ARTIST AND THE ORGANIZERS OF THIS EVENT ON ALL THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS:
On Instagram:
@musicares
@goldenvoice
@thecfgbank
@centerstaging

Photo Gallery of the performance by © Don Marcelo Photography 2025

Billy Idol performing on stage at The Fonda Theatre during the ABOVE GROUND 4 benefit concert for mental health awareness, wearing a leather jacket and holding a microphone.
A male musician wearing a black leather jacket and holding a microphone passionately sings on stage, illuminated by dramatic blue lighting.
A musician in a polka dot shirt is playing an electric guitar on stage, showcasing an engaged expression during a performance.
A musician in a leather jacket plays an electric guitar on stage, smiling as they perform under dramatic lighting.
A musician playing a white electric guitar on stage, smiling, with a Marshall amplifier in the background.
A musician playing an electric bass guitar on stage during a live performance at The Fonda Theatre, illuminated by colorful stage lights.
A performer with spiked white hair passionately singing into a microphone, wearing a black leather jacket adorned with chains, set against a bright stage backdrop.
A male musician with tattoos is energetically playing a white electric guitar on stage, with vibrant purple lighting in the background.
A singer performing passionately on stage, wearing a black 'Motörhead' t-shirt, holding a microphone, with dramatic lighting in the background.
A musician passionately performing on stage, holding a microphone and gesturing energetically under bright stage lights.
A passionate performer singing into a microphone while wearing a Motörhead t-shirt, showcasing intense energy on stage.
Two musicians performing on stage with vibrant colored lights in the background, featuring event branding for MusiCares.
A dynamic performance scene featuring two musicians on stage, with one singing into a microphone and the other playing guitar, illuminated by colorful lights and a backdrop displaying 'Recording Academy MusiCares.'
A musician performing on stage in profile, illuminated by red lighting with a hazy background.
A musician passionately singing into a microphone on stage, surrounded by fog and dim lighting.
A musician performing on stage, wearing sunglasses and a plaid shirt, holding a microphone amidst dramatic red lighting.
A musician passionately performing on stage with a microphone in hand, surrounded by dramatic lighting.
A singer passionately performing on stage with eyes closed, holding a microphone with both hands, dressed in a black plaid shirt.
A musician playing an electric guitar on stage, wearing a black shirt, with a focused expression and stage lighting in the background.
Two musicians embrace on stage, one holding an electric guitar, during a live performance at The Fonda Theatre.
A drummer performing on stage with focused expression, surrounded by drum sets and cymbals under stage lighting.
A performer dressed in a sparkling costume with a feathered headdress smiles at the audience, surrounded by colorful stage lighting.
A performer wearing a sparkling costume adorned with feathers and jewels stands confidently under blue lighting, showcasing a vibrant stage presence.
Silhouettes of performers on stage against a backdrop featuring the MusiCares logo, illuminated by red stage lighting and surrounded by fog.
A microphone with tangled cables is seen on a dark stage floor, next to a setlist partially illuminated by blue stage lighting.
Audience gathered at The Fonda Theatre during the ABOVE GROUND 4 benefit concert, with blue stage lights illuminating the crowd and musicians performing in the background.
A DJ performing on stage at The Fonda Theatre, surrounded by dim lighting and elegant decor.
Marquee of The Fonda Theatre at dusk, displaying 'Goldenvoice Presents ABOVE GROUND OCT 26'.
A drummer performing on stage with a drum set, set against a colorful backdrop at a live music event.
A musician in sunglasses and a leather vest, holding a microphone and a red strap, performs on stage under colorful lighting.
A performer singing passionately into a microphone on stage, wearing sunglasses and a leather vest, with a guitarist in the background.
Two musicians performing on stage, one playing an electric guitar while the other sings, surrounded by vibrant stage lighting.
A musician performing on stage, singing into a microphone while playing an electric guitar, dressed in a black suit with a polka dot shirt and sunglasses, against a backdrop of purple stage lighting.
A guitarist performing on stage with long hair and a dark suit, passionately playing under vibrant red lighting.
A musician playing the bass guitar on stage, with a focused expression, in front of a backdrop featuring images of iconic rock stars.
A musician passionately performing on stage with a microphone, wearing sunglasses and a graphic t-shirt, in a vibrant lighting setup.
A musician performing on stage with a guitar, illuminated by colorful stage lights, with a backdrop featuring iconic images of The New York Dolls and The Cars.
A male musician with long hair and sunglasses passionately performs on stage holding a microphone, wearing a colorful graphic t-shirt and plaid pants, with a guitarist visible in the background.
A performer wearing a black leather jacket and black pants, raising their hand on stage during a music event, with colorful stage lighting in the background.
A performer singing passionately on stage, illuminated by vibrant green lights, with a shadowy band member and amplifiers in the background.
A dynamic live performance photo featuring a musician energetically singing on stage with green lighting and a vibrant background, capturing the excitement of a concert atmosphere.
A musician performing live on stage, draped in a colorful feather boa, surrounded by fog and vibrant stage lights.
A musician plays guitar on stage surrounded by fog and colorful lights during a live performance.
A musician delivering a passionate performance on stage, holding a microphone and guitar, with a vibrant light backdrop.
A dynamic live performance at The Fonda Theatre featuring musicians singing and playing instruments under colorful stage lights, promoting MusiCares' mission for mental health awareness.
A musician performing on stage with an electric guitar, passionately singing into a microphone against a backdrop of stage lights.
Two musicians performing on stage, one playing a guitar and the other holding a bass guitar, both appearing energetic and engaged in the performance.
A musician performing on stage with a guitar under vibrant stage lights, wearing a polka dot shirt while a large image is projected in the background.
A performer passionately engaging with the audience on stage, illuminated by vibrant stage lights in shades of yellow and blue.
A musician playing guitar on stage at a concert, wearing a polka dot shirt, with dramatic lighting in the background.
A live performance at The Fonda Theatre featuring musicians on stage with vibrant lighting and a large backdrop displaying images, highlighting the energy of the event.
Musician performing on stage with an electric guitar, wearing a polka dot shirt, in a colorful lighting setup.
A performer passionately singing on stage, surrounded by colorful stage lights and smoke, engaging with the audience during a live music event.
A male musician performing on stage with a guitar, surrounded by colorful stage lights and smoke.
A passionate musician performing on stage with a microphone, surrounded by colorful stage lights, conveying energy and enthusiasm during a live concert.
A guitarist performs on stage surrounded by fog, wearing a polka dot shirt and smiling while holding a guitar.
Musician performing on stage, smiling and gesturing while holding a guitar, wearing a colorful patterned shirt.
Two musicians performing on stage, one playing bass and the other playing guitar, with a vibrant backdrop of city lights and smoke effects.
Two musicians perform on stage, one singing into a microphone and the other playing guitar, with vibrant lighting in the background.
A drummer performing on stage with a vibrant backdrop featuring iconic rock band images, highlighting the energy of a live music event.
Two musicians performing on stage at a concert, with vibrant lighting and a large graphic backdrop. One musician is playing a guitar while the other engages with the audience, creating an energetic atmosphere.
A guitarist performing on stage with vibrant lighting and a large backdrop featuring band graphics.
A lively performance scene at the Above Ground 4 benefit concert, featuring musicians on stage with dramatic lighting and a large backdrop displaying the MusiCares logo.
A vibrant live performance scene at The Fonda Theatre featuring musicians on stage with illuminated graphics displaying the MusiCares and Above Ground logos amidst atmospheric fog and lighting.
Musicians perform on stage at The Fonda Theatre during the ABOVE GROUND 4 event, with a vibrant blue light illuminating the scene. The audience can be seen passionately engaged and cheering.
A guitarist performing on stage, surrounded by a smoky atmosphere with colorful lighting.
A performer with long hair and a black tank top plays an electric guitar on stage, lit by bright blue lights. A large screen displays animated dancers in the background, creating an energetic concert atmosphere.
A live performance scene at The Fonda Theatre with musicians on stage, dramatic lighting, and a large video screen in the background displaying a vintage band footage.
A dynamic live performance scene featuring a lead singer bending forward while holding a microphone, showcasing intense energy, with a guitarist in the background raising their hand in a gesture of appreciation.
A live performance at The Fonda Theatre featuring various musicians on stage amidst vibrant lighting and a backdrop of video screens.
A live music performance with a singer on stage surrounded by fog, while an enthusiastic audience watches and captures the moment with their phones and cameras.
A guitarist performing on stage at the ABOVE GROUND benefit concert, with dramatic lighting and a backdrop featuring the Recording Academy and MusiCares logos.
A musician performing on stage with an electric guitar, surrounded by dramatic lighting and fog, captured during a live concert.
A guitarist performs passionately on stage, engaging with the audience while surrounded by stage lights and fog.
A group of musicians performing energetically on stage during a benefit concert at The Fonda Theatre, with dramatic lighting and a vibrant backdrop featuring the words 'MusiCares'.
Two male musicians performing closely together on stage during a concert, with bright stage lights in the background.
A male singer passionately performing on stage with a microphone, while another artist with long hair is singing in the background. The stage is illuminated with lights and there's a smoky atmosphere, indicating an energetic live music event.
A musician performing on stage during the ABOVE GROUND 4 benefit concert, with colorful lighting and the Recording Academy's logo in the background.
A crowd of enthusiastic concertgoers at a live music event, celebrating with red confetti falling around them, capturing the excitement and energy of the performance.
A performer in a leather jacket passionately speaking into a microphone on stage, with colorful stage lights and a backdrop featuring the words 'RECORDING ACADEMY' and 'MUSICARES ABOVE GROUND'.
Two musicians performing on stage during the ABOVE GROUND 4 benefit concert for mental health awareness at The Fonda Theatre, with colorful stage lighting and a backdrop featuring the MusiCares logo.
Live performance by musicians at the Above Ground benefit concert, featuring electric guitars and dynamic lighting, with a backdrop showcasing MusiCares and Above Ground logos.
A male musician sings passionately into a microphone while wearing a black blazer, surrounded by a foggy atmosphere during a live performance.
A male singer with curly hair performs on stage holding a microphone, illuminated by dramatic lighting.
A group of musicians performing on stage at The Fonda Theatre, with colorful lights illuminating the scene, as they entertain a lively audience.
A musician performs on stage with an electric guitar at The Fonda Theatre during the ABOVE GROUND 4 benefit concert, with bright stage lights and band members in the background.
Musicians perform on stage amidst fog and bright lights during the ABOVE GROUND 4 benefit concert at The Fonda Theatre.

ABOUT ABOVE GROUND:

Founded in 2018 by Dave Navarro, Billy Morrison and manager Rick Canny, Above Ground is a registered 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to raising funds for and awareness to the issues of mental health and suicide prevention. Since 2018, Dave and Billy have helped to raise more than $500,000 for MusiCares via various fundraising opportunities.

Since its launch, “ABOVE GROUND” has featured Navarro and Morrison alongside a star-studded lineup of their friends including Jack Black, Corey Taylor, Anthony Kiedis, Juliette Lewis, Gavin Rosdale, Jerry Harrison, Courtney Love, Billy Idol, Al Jourgensen, Steve Stevens, and many more. The events have highlighted full-length albums from legendary acts including Adam and The Ants, Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground, David Bowie, The Stooges, and Sex Pistols.

ABOUT MUSICARES:

MusiCares helps the humans behind music because music gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. Founded by the Recording Academy® in 1989 as a U.S. based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. For more information please visit: www.musicares.org.

MusiCares is here to support the music community during times of disaster, such as the recent wildfires in Los Angeles. Music professionals affected by these events can reach out for assistance with costs related to evacuation and relocation, damage to music instruments, equipment, vehicle, and spaces, medical care, mental health services, funeral costs, and other essential living expenses. For more information on qualifications or to apply for support, contact MusiCares at MusiCaresRelief@musicares.org or call 1-800-687-4227. To donate, please visit musicares.org/donate.

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