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GRAMMYs

Billy Morrison & Dave Navarro

Photo: Raymond Ahner

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Dave Navarro & Billy Morrison Talk Above Ground dave-navarro-billy-morrison-talk-above-ground-musicares-benefit-ktla

Dave Navarro & Billy Morrison Talk Above Ground MusiCares Benefit On KTLA

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The pair of guitar icons discuss mental health, the vinyl record that shaped them as artists and how they put together their star-studded concert benefitting MusiCares
Nate Hertweck
MusiCares
Sep 11, 2019 - 5:33 pm

On Sept. 16 in Los Angeles, Dave Navarro and Billy Morrison will host their second annual Above Ground benefit concert with proceeds going to MusiCares. Ahead of the event, the two guitar icons appeared on KTLA to talk about the concert, the importance of mental health awareness, the music that shaped them as artists and more. Have a look:

During the interview, the pair described  what motivated them to create the benefit concert and cited losing many of their close friends to suicide, such as Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington,  their own experiences, and raising funds and awareness for the work that MusiCares does to support music people in need.

Navarro also addressed the  tragic loss of his mother when he was a teenager, and the devastating impact that something of that magnitude has   on a young person while underscoring the importance of asking for help; the kind of  assistance that MusiCares provides.

"Sitting alone with your pain is a sure-fire way to have nothing but misery in the future," said Navarro. "Reaching out for help is, in fact, a great strength. People have so much shame around their illness; the fact of the matter is that so many of us suffer from mental health issues, that the more we speak out about it, the more normalized it becomes."

Navarro and Morrison also discussed the format of the benefit concert, where an all-star cast of rockers will perform two seminal albums, cover to cover, that helped make them the musicians they are today. This year's albums are David Bowie's 1972 classic The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars and The Stooges' 1969 self-titled debut.

"We decided, because Dave and I have a love of vinyl—the old school, tell a story, side one/side two, that whole thing—we picked a couple of iconic albums that you can't really go hear played live anymore, because the bands don't exist," said Morrison. "We're gonna’ play both of those records as they sounded. It's a lot of work but a lot of fun. I'm really honored to be able to do it."

Above Ground 2 will feature guest performances by Ministry's Al Jourgensen, Billy Idol, Perry Farrell and Etty Lau Farrell, Gavin Rossdale and Juliette Lewis and more.

All proceeds from Above Ground 2 go to MusiCares. To purchase tickets, click here. For more information, visit the AXS website.

Above Ground Benefit Concert To Feature Billy Idol, Perry Farrell, Juliette Lewis & More

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Dave Navarro 

Photo: Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for West Hollywood Travel + Tourism Board

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Above Ground Benefit Concert Performers Announced above-ground-benefit-concert-feature-billy-idol-perry-farrell-juliette-lewis-more

Above Ground Benefit Concert To Feature Billy Idol, Perry Farrell, Juliette Lewis & More

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Steve Stevens, Steve Vai, Billy Duffy, Wayne Kramer and Mike Garson will also perform at the benefit concert celebrating vinyl and raising mental health awareness at Los Angeles' Fonda Theatre
Jennifer Velez
MusiCares
Aug 15, 2019 - 10:34 am

Billy Idol, Perry Farrell and Etty Lau Farrell, Gavin Rossdale and Juliette Lewis are some of the musicians announced as performers for Dave Navarro and Billy Morrison's Above Ground benefit concert on Sept. 16.

Steve Stevens, Steve Vai, Billy Duffy, Wayne Kramer, and Mike Garson will also perform at the benefit concert celebrating vinyl and raising mental health awareness at Los Angeles' Fonda Theatre. Profits will be donated to the Recording Academy and MusiCares' mental health treatment efforts.

The musicians will pay tribute to The Stooges' self-titled debut and David Bowie's The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars in their entirety.

To purchase tickets, click here. For more information, visit the AXS website. 

Dave Navarro & Billy Morrison Announce Above Ground 2 Benefit Concert

 

Dave Navarro

Dave Navarro

Photo: Brad Washburn/FilmMagic

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Navarro Fights Depression Above Ground dave-navarro-billy-morrison-present-mental-health-awareness-show-above-ground

Dave Navarro, Billy Morrison To Present Mental Health Awareness Show Above Ground

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The two musicians dedicate April 16 MusiCares benefit in Los Angeles to two iconic albums and erasing the stigma that blocks getting help for mental health issues
Philip Merrill
MusiCares
Apr 9, 2018 - 12:24 pm

The joy of vinyl originally inspired GRAMMY-nominated guitarist Dave Navarro and fellow guitarist Billy Morrison to conceive of the idea for April 16's Above Ground fundraising concert at The Belasco Theater in Los Angeles.

Full-length performances of two iconic albums — Adam And The Ants' Kings Of The Wild Frontier and The Velvet Underground & Nico by Lou Reed's the Velvet Underground, inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame in 2008 — will be the highlight of the evening, each with their own setup. Intermission will separate the performances and feature speeches about mental health and a charity auction at to raise "awareness and funds to support mental health."

Chris Chaney of Jane's Addiction, drummer Erik Eldenius, drummer Josh Freese, and violinist Lili Haydn will join the concert's lineup as well as special guests Billy Idol and Courtney Love. Eagles Of Death Metal's Jesse Hughes, Franky Perez and Slipknot's Corey Taylor will also appear.

The event's lineup are joining forces to fight depression, boost mental health awareness and raise funds to provide professional services for members of the music community in need through MusiCares.

On April 16 join @DaveNavarro, @BillyMorrison & other GRAMMY-winning and nominated artists from @janesaddiction, @BillyIdol, @slipknot and more at the @BelascoLA for a night of music in support of #mentalhealth awareness & #MusiCares! Get your tickets: https://t.co/XuUO8puLai pic.twitter.com/9SxHmkrjdo

— MusiCares (@MusiCares) April 5, 2018

"Obviously this is a celebration, but it is a huge responsibility," Navarro told Forbes, thanking friends, fellow musicians and MusiCares for seeing him through "terrible times."

Beyond his personal experience, Navarro hopes to raise general awareness and "on a more public level, let people know that … there is no shame in asking for help. The shameful thing is to shy away from the help. The thing to be proud of is reaching out and doing something to take care of your own life."

General admission seating is still available.

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Dave Navarro 

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Dave Navarro, Billy Morrison Reveal Above Ground 2 dave-navarro-billy-morrison-announce-above-ground-2-benefit-concert

Dave Navarro & Billy Morrison Announce Above Ground 2 Benefit Concert

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All profits will be donated to the Recording Academy and MusiCares' efforts in raising funds for mental health treatment
Jennifer Velez
MusiCares
Jun 25, 2019 - 5:21 pm

Musicians Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction) and Billy Morrison (Royal Machines, Billy Idol) have announced the second annual Above Ground benefit concert celebrating vinyl and raising mental health awareness.  

The two musicians will perform The Stooges' self-titled debut and David Bowie's The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars in their entirety. Special guests will also join them during performances Sept. 16 at Los Angeles' The Fonda Theatre in Hollywood. All profits will be donated to the Recording Academy and MusiCares' efforts in raising funds for mental health treatment. 

"Dave and I are committed to raising funds and awareness in support of mental health and just like last year, all profit will be donated to MusiCares," Morrison said in a video announcement. 

The two chose Bowie and The Stooges because they felt they were the perfect pairing. "The Iggy and Ziggy thing has always worked. Even when they both did shows together back in the late 70's/early '80s, the pairing of Iggy Pop and David Bowie worked. Bowie produced Iggy and they had this ongoing musical relationship that just seemed perfect and iconic to us," Morrison said in an interview. 

Other event features include guest speakers, auction items and art installations.

Last year, Above Ground  featured full-length performances of Adam And The Ants' Kings Of The Wild Frontier and the Velvet Underground's The Velvet Underground & Nico. 

"I believe our goals were achieved beyond what we had hoped," Navarro said in an interview about the event last year. "In addition to raising awareness about mental health issues, we raised a substantial amount of money that went directly to those who need it most. Personally, many people have approached me since to thank me for our efforts to help end the stigma of mental health issues." 

The guitarist has spoken about his experiences with mental health in the past: "Some of the loneliest times in my life have been in rooms full of thousands of people because not one of them knew what was going on inside me. Rarely do we pick up the phone at 3 a.m. after a gig and ask for help. … What's great about MusiCares is that it is now recognized and it is well known that it is here to help. The real challenge is letting people know that it is a great strength to reach out for support."

Tickets go on sale Friday, June 28. To purchase tickets, click here. For more information, visit the AXS website. 

Lalah Hathaway On Mental Health Awareness: "You Can Never Look At A Person And See What They're Going Through"

Mental health patient

Photo: Florian Gaertner/Photothek via Getty Images

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Suicide Prevention: Options For Help & Support suicide-prevention-understanding-facts-and-finding-support

Suicide Prevention: Understanding The Facts And Finding Support

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Talking about depression and learning about the warning signs of various mental health issues can make all the difference in saving someone's life
Nate Hertweck
MusiCares
May 24, 2018 - 1:52 pm

We may never know why some of our generations' brightest creative minds choose to take their own lives, but we do know that suicidal thoughts affect a wide range of people, not just those dealing with the pressures of stardom. For the sake of anyone who has succumbed to the most insurmountable mental anguish, we must look at suicide as what it is: a preventable outcome of a treatable illness.

Dave Navarro's Powerful Message Of Hope

Mental health issues leading to suicidal thoughts can be very complex to understand from both internal and external perspectives. After all, the mind is such a personal territory. But even in the shadow of darkness suicide casts on our culture, we can make a difference by shining a light on tangible resources to overcome depression and suicidality.

First, it is important to understand the types of mental illnesses that can potentially lead to suicide deaths.

"Some of the most commons mental health diagnosis associated with suicide deaths are mood disorders like depression, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic disorder, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and substance abuse disorders," says Becky Stoll, LCSW, vice president of crisis & disaster management at Centerstone, a MusiCares partner. "Another common issue associated with suicide is having chronic physical pain." 

Unfortunately, suicide is a global issue. A 2015 study showed suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. alone, the third leading cause of death for people aged 10–14 and the second leading cause of death for people aged 15–24. In the state of Tennessee alone, one person between the ages of 10–24 is lost to suicide every four days, according to statistics provided by Scott Ridgway, executive director of the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network. The Tennessee Department of Health's Office of Health Statistics reported there were 1,110 recorded suicide deaths in Tennessee in 2016, a 4 percent increase from the prior year.

These numbers are, and should be, shocking. We've seen some of our music heroes' names in the news — Chris Cornell, Chester Bennington, Avicii — and these statistics prove the problem reaches far beyond the headlines.

While there is no universal solution for mental health issues, there are many options for finding support. It all starts with talking.

"The more we talk about it, everyone can do something. If you have had a mental health problem, talk about it," says clinical psychologist Dr. Joanne Barron. "Help take the stigma away from it."

Speaking of talking, there is a big misconception that people who speak about contemplating suicide are only seeking attention, which is not at all accurate.

"In fact, we know people who end up dying by suicide have often spoken about it with others and given other warning signs," says Stoll. " If someone you know feels comfortable enough to broach the subject of their suicidal thoughts with you then you must take them seriously."

As far as warning signs, being able to spot one could make the difference in saving someone's life.

"Knowing the warning signs of suicidal behavior is key to helping those around us get the assistance they need," says Stoll. "These include talking about wanting to die or not be around anymore — sometimes this can be vague so it is important to ask clarifying questions — making plans for how to kill one's self, securing the means to carry out this plan, giving away possessions, expressing feelings of being a burden to others, withdrawing and being isolative, and expressing hopelessness."     

But where can one turn? Where can they start? One option is to confide in friends or family members to ask for help and support. For many people suffering from depression, this first step can be the hardest, but it can also be the most beneficial.

"Some of the loneliest times in my life have been in rooms full of thousands of people because not one of them knew what was going on inside me," says guitarist Dave Navarro. "Rarely do we pick up the phone at 3 a.m. after a gig and ask for help. … The real challenge is letting people know that it is a great strength to reach out for support,"

Of course, not everyone has a support system in his or her life to turn to. Another valuable option for seeking support can be found in a recent popular song. The GRAMMY-nominated "1-800-273-8255" was released in 2017 by rapper Logic. Featuring Khalid and Alessia Cara, the song addresses head on the struggles of depression and the importance of reaching out for support, which was not an easy topic for Logic to broach in his writing because he himself has suffered from anxiety and depression.

Logic's Suicide Prevention With "1-800-273-8255"

"I was so scared for so long to say that because society has lead me to believe that my anxiety is stupid and shouldn't be talked about, or that suicide, 'Who cares, who's weak enough to kill themselves?' Which is the most terrible, disgusting, ugly thing somebody can say," says Logic. "That's why I decided to write about these topics."

Logic's efforts with "1-800-273-8255" to raise awareness of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline worked. After performing the song on MTV's VMAs, call traffic increased by 50 percent.

"None of us are alone," said GRAMMY-nominated artist Kesha, who introduced the performance. "It takes great courage to show the vulnerable side of being human and we all have that vulnerable side. Whatever you are going through, however dark it may seem, there is an undeniable truth and strength in the fact that you are not alone."

Kesha's words ring true.

"There are very effective treatments today for mental health disorders," says Stoll. "If someone is feeling suicidal they can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline from anywhere in the country. Someone is always there to assist. They can also text the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741."

Finally, music people in need of support can turn to MusiCares. Whether dealing with substance abuse, addiction recovery, financial hardship, or mental health issues, MusiCares is here to help. From online resources such as this recent list of tips for free or low-cost mental health care to over-the-phone support, MusiCares is a safety net for musicians, providing mental health assistance and referrals.

If you are part of the music community and you require assistance for a mental health-related issue, contact MusiCares toll-free at 1.800.687.4227 (West), 1.877.626.2748 (South) or 1.877.303.6962 (East).

Learn More About MusiCares, The Recording Academy's Health And Human Services Charity

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