‘WHO’ Rocks Rosemont, Raises $1.1 Million For National Charity

This article was originally posted at The Journal & Topics Newspapers Online, May 27, 2015.

The almost full Allstate Arena was on its feet for a full two-hour concert by The Who on Wednesday, May 13 for one of the band’s 50th anniversary tour stops.
A benefit concert by the band the next night at the Rosemont Theatre raised about $1.1 million for teen cancer awareness.

Pete Townshend at The Rosement, Chicago, IL. Photo: Diane Turner-Hurnes

Fans attending both concerts said the performances and music were great.

Joan Jett and Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder appeared at both concerts drawing even greater applause from crowds.

Nearly 4,000 people attended the benefit concert May 14, which also featured rockers Joe Walsh and Rick Nielsen.

Pete Townshend, guitarist and main songwriter for The Who, is co-founder of Teen Cancer America which raises money for teenagers with cancer.

Townshend and The Who have worked to raise funds to fight teen cancer for more than 15 years, beginning with the U.K. Charity Teenage Cancer Trust.

Money raised from the Rosemont show supports programs for teenagers and young adults with cancer at the University of Chicago Medicine along with other local children’s charities.

Tickets for the benefit concert ran from $1,000 to $100. Rosemont officials said early results showed $1.1 million was raised to go to the charity. The village also waived its $25,000 event rental fee for the Rosemont Theatre event.

Teen Cancer America partners with hospitals in the U.S. to provide youth-oriented centers for teenagers and young adults.