When I first heard about the Rock For Responders Benefit event, I was very intrigued. It was going to be at the Battleship IOWA in San Pedro. Wow that sounds cool! And the performers that were scheduled were all great friends of mine. Orinathi, Glenn Hughes, Sammy Hagar, Steve Stevens have all been honored at my Vegas Rocks! Magazine Music Awards. Also appearing were Robin Zander, Kevin Cronin, and Phil X. Matt Sorum put the entire event in motion and I was looking forward to catching up with him as well since he also appeared at my awards show.I put in for a media credential right away and Ken Hagihara got back to me the next day and said he would add me to the media list. I then got in touch with Orianthi and let her know I was going to be there and she said she would add me to her guest list. I was all set!So on February 27th I headed down to San Pedro. It took forever to get there and not only was I worried about getting there late, I was worried about something else: A high bridge over water. High bridges over water have long been an immensely terror for me. I can’t do it! And with San Pedro being over water with bridges I was trying to calm myself. Other stories go along with these phobias of mine but I won’t go into it right now.

But luckily when I got close to the Battleship IOWA , the exit took me off the road towards the bridge before I got to it. Whew! I felt the anxiety lift and tried to find the V.I.P. area to park.  I arrived about 5pm. I stood impatiently in the long line for security to get my VIP armband and media pass. After that, I headed on up the ramp to the ship. After I checked in with that security, I heard one of the security guys say to the other one: “Don’t you recognize him?” He was referring to the gentleman in front of me. And I asked who it was since I couldn’t see his face. They told me it was Ron Perlman. So I caught up to Mr. Perlman and as soon as he turned around I recognized him and I found myself face to face with HellBoy!

They directed me to where the rest of the Media was staying so I used the restroom on the ship and decided I would head back towards the stage area. Upon walking back, I saw the event photographer taking photos of Orianthi and her guitar in front of the ship. But who was that with her? I couldn’t see him that well. I asked my friend Chris Kiszka who it was and he said “Richie Sambora”. What? Richie was not scheduled to perform! I found out later he called Matt Sorum the day before that he would do it!   So I headed over to them just as Glenn Hughes was joining them. Orianthi saw me and reached out her arms to hug me and so did Glenn who I hadn’t seen in years! So I placed myself in between Glenn and Richie for a photo.  The photos turned out good as long as I cropped out the fanboy who pretty draped himself all over Orianthi who couldn’t contain himself long enough for me to get my shot that I set up.     So I joined Orianthi , Richie and Glenn and we all went to the backstage area where I caught up with more of my friends. I didn’t recognize Robin Zander at first because he had his hair up in his hat. Robin asked me how the magazine was and we actually had a nice long conversation. Robin wore a really cool fireman’s “Cheap Trick” yellow jacket. Robin’s son is sweet just like his dad. I asked him if he could grab me a coke out of his dressing room and it seemed like he was happy to do it!Orianthi also donated to the cause bringing a guitar signed by Alice Cooper that was signed by the other performers. The guitar was auctioned off at the end of the concert.I took a photo of Steve Stevens  and Kevin Cronin and Steve asked Kevin: “Do you know Sally Steele?”. I have met Kevin a few times before and I interviewed him many years ago. I invited Kevin to be in my future Vegas Rocks! Magazine Music awards so we will see! It was really enjoyable to catch up with friends I hadn’t seen in a long time. After awhile all the performers were called to go up on the ship. I joined them and followed behind unaware of where we were going or why.Once we got to the front of the battleship all the media was waiting for group photos of all the performers. During the last part of the group photos, Sammy Hagar showed up to the delight of everyone just in the nick of time! Orianthi told Richie to go ahead and take over the interviews as she was getting ready to go onstage. I was chomping at the bit to interview Richie so I couldn’t wait until he finished up with his other two interviews.I asked Richie about his involvement with the fire responders and if the fire was close to his house. Richie told me he lives in Calabasas and you can see the interview here! https://youtu.be/SVylnpxm7xQ . I had never met Richie before and he was an absolute doll!I filmed Robin Zander and chatted with Sammy a little bit and grabbed a photo before heading down to the stage area. Orianthi was already killing it onstage to remind everyone her beauty is equal to her talent which both is always spectacular! Next up was Glenn Hughes. And joining him onstage were Steve Stevens, Phil X and Matt Sorum. Glenn hit the ground running with the All-Star back up with “Highway Star”. What a killer performance! After that was “Burn”.     I always felt Glenn should have been the lead singer in Deep Purple instead of David Coverdale. Don’t get me wrong, David is a great frontman but in my book no one can compare to Glenn.  His screams and high notes make all other male vocalist pale in comparison. As a singer – he is the best! Next came Robin Zander giving the fans the best of Cheap Trick. Kevin Cronin ruled the stage coming out with “Riding The Storm Out” followed by the Red Rocker Himself Mr. Hagar.Sammy came out and rocked with “Pound Cake” from his Van Halen years.  Sammy thanked Matt Sorum for putting the event together. Sammy said Matt called him and that he had a show for him. Sammy asked how much it paid and Matt said: “Nothing.” Sammy laughed but there he was! Right onstage with the rest of all the other amazing performers for a great cause! At one point Sammy opened a bottle of his Tequila and I was standing right under him and he was offering it to me in my direction but my hands were full with my camera and I didn’t want it. He told people to have a drink and pass it around and they did! What is this? Woodstock?!? Sammy then introduced “A special friend of his”. And out came the incredible Richie Sambora.  Richie started out with a slow version of “Livin’ on a Prayer” with just him singing and then hit it hard.     I had never seen Richie perform without Bon Jovi and I was blown away. He took total charge of the stage with his amazing charisma. At one point he motioned for Phil X to come over next to him and Orianthi who was in the middle as they jammed out and traded killer guitar licks. And speaking of Phil X, this guy SMOKES! He was up there rockin’ and jammin with all the performers and this guy is at the top of his game!  I am not sure if it was the first time Richie has performed with Phil X who is now with Bon Jovi but it was such a thrill to see everyone up on that stage doing what they do best.I think Sammy discreetly snuck off about this time since the show was over. But as the stars came off stage I noticed Richie surrounded by fans as he signed autographs and took photos with everyone.It had been a long day so but I was wide awake so I decided to head back to Vegas. I put on the GPS and it took me on a road straight to the bridge! Oh no! And there was no way to exit! I was so afraid and praying and shaking hoping I would make it across soon. I made it across and kept going where my directions were taking me and then I got the fright of my life! I was headed for a bigger bridge with gates and lights that looked like it reached heaven through the clouds! I took a right turn where a bunch of trucks were headed and found myself on a dark road where no one was around to help me and show me if there was another way to travel. I finally found a dark security booth next to a scrap yard. I went up to the booth shaking and in a panic and near tears and was met with a nice black fellow. He told me his sister wouldn’t go over that bridge either. So he told me to go back the way I came but I would have to go over the first bridge I already went over. I sucked it up and went over the bridge a little faster to get it over with as it went higher and higher over the dark water and I finally made it to the 110 freeway. It took awhile for my stomach and nerves to calm down but at least I was wide awake to make it back to Vegas!This was such a really cool event to have at the Battleship IOWA. I hope they do another one! 

If you haven’t been down to see the museum at the Battleship Iowa head on down to see it in San Pedro! – Just avoid the bridge! LOL 

You can send donations for this great ship and museum here! Please donate! https://pacificbattleship.com/donate

Thank you so much to Ken Hagihara for being so nice to me and credentialing me for the event and special thanks to Orianthi, David Ciemny, Laurie Baker for taking care of me and Lil Gary. I commend everyone involved for doing such a great job putting this  benefit together for such a great cause for all the fire responders for their hard work!

-Sally Steele

Photos: Sally Steele

Interview with Richie Sambora about his home during the fires here! https://youtu.be/SVylnpxm7xQ

Video of backstage and the show coming soon to www.youtube.com/SallySteele