
After watching an episode of Behind the Music of People Who Play Other People’s Music on VH1-5, I understood why Old Coal has become the Island’s premier Philanthropic Middle Age Cover Band. Granted they are all loving fathers, but perhaps it is the story of Old Coal front man and proclaimed Vocaltainer, Neilsson Jessrobin that drives them to push all band proceeds toward children’s education programs and Medical Research. Self-diagnosed at the age of 35 with Dillusionary Diamonditis, a rare but troubling Identity Disorder, Jessrobin wishes that every child has the opportunity to make their dreams come true. “As the illegitimate love child of the great Neil Diamond, I spent my youth traveling far. Without a home but not without a star. I wanted to be free and I want the Children of this great country to Huddle Close and Hang on to their Dream”.
While Jessrobin’s melodic gibberish and assertion that Diamond fathered him at an early 70’s rave at Merv Griffin’s beach chalet has never been substantiated, he knows the truth and offers this transcendental proof. “I once paid $35 to spend two brilliant hours with my Dad. And I when I screamed, “Are you my father?”, he immediately played “I Am, I Said” and pointed to my section of General Admission seating. For the spokespeople that claim that no one can be sure who fathered whom at Merv’s place on the account of it being a Double Meat party, I say, ‘Just look at me – I Am Diamond, definitely not Paul Anka.”
As he struggles with his own incurable mental disease, Jessrobin and his three band mates will headline the Izzy’s Angels Benefit show on June 11 at the Elks in Alameda. The Izzy’s Angels show will provide much needed funding for a disease that can and will be cured: Freidrich’s Ataxia. It is a debilitating, life-shortening, degenerative neuro-muscular disorder that impacts one of Old Coal’s greatest fans, ten year old Isabelle Penston. This is a show that really matters and tickets are available through normal distribution channels as well as at the following website: http://www.homegrownrockforfara.org/
Jessrobin promises a show like no other. One featuring a new level of showmanship and stage production. He smoothly summarizes Old Coal’s opportunity to headline a 3-band Night of Magic and homegrown rock this way - “Golden Age is the foreplay and Old Stock is obviously the dirty sex. We want to be more than that post-sex cigarette and failed attempt at cuddling before passing out. We need to deliver something memorable, something grand. Something shiny - shiny like a Diamond. Like the Diamond that I am."
He knows who he is. Do you know who you are or who you want to be? Start your summer by making a difference.
Old Coal hearts Izzy and reminds you that Good Times Never Felt So Good… So please come to the Izzy’s Angels benefit show or consider making a donation at http://www.curefa.org/