The concert, mc'd by Jim LaLumia and featuring a Max's All-Star Band fronted by former New York Doll Sylvain Sylvain and another Gotham music legend, Garland Jeffreys,had already set the town abuzz - though the 300-plus audience was momentarily stunned into silence when the former leader of the Velvet Underground casually strolled on stage midway through the show.

Lou Reed made a surprise appearance introduction to his longtime pal Quashie. The two have known each other since the Max's heyday and the closeness they have retained since was evident as they embraced each other tightly on stage.

Both then headed for the wings as Jeffreys lead the All-Star Band - also including Jeffreys' guitarist, Al Friedman, Rob Stoner (bass, formerly of the Bob Dylan band), Dennis Diken (drums, The Smithereens), Zecca Esquibel (keyboard, Cherry Vanilla Band, Get Wet) and Danny Lama (harmonica, Sucker's Luck) - through a lively handful of gems from Jeffreys' own glorious urban-romantic catalogue.

Reed's wasn't the only unscheduled appearance of the night, as Jeffreys - brought on stage another old friend, Bruce Springsteen guitarist (Little) Steven Van Zandt to play acoustic guitar, Buddy Bowser, and let's not forget Joy Rider who appeared as a special guest of Sylvain Sylvain.

The band, which performed superbly throughout the night despite only two 4-hour rehearsals earlier in the week, romped through Jeffreys' 35 Millimeter Dreams and Fistful of Dollars as well as Jeffreys' hit version of the Question Mark and the Mysterians' classic, 96 Tears. Reed returned to the stage to share the microphone with Jeffreys on the latter's '80s hit, Wild In The Streets.

The Max's All-Star Band took up the cause with their considerable talents.Rob Stoner took lead vocals on his song New York while Danny Lama led a riotous Me and Mrs Mayhem, which he sang in his voice without equal, and Esquibel upped the pop quotient on Lucky You.

It was left to Sylvain Sylvain to close the All-Star segment of the show - and he did so in highly entertaining, even playful fashion, while reminding everyone in the Bowery Ballroom that his own legendary band set the template for punk rock and really could, well, kick some butt.

Sylvain opened with a tightly wound take on the Peter Gunn Theme and kept the tempo up on I'm Sorry, a Sylvain song that influenced The Clash's song, London Calling. the building by the time Sylvain camped it up on Reed's Femme Fatale. Inevitably, Pills, the Dolls' classic from their first album, was the highlight of the set.

The concert's supporting cast featured DJ Jayne County, Penny Arcade, Michael Wiener, Shanta, Unisex Salon, Spiral Adams, Peter Baron, The Visitors, Quinn and The Eskimos, Mike Campese, Ruby and the Rednecks and Johnny Fox.

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Message from Yvonne Sewall Ruskin

Yvonne Sewall-Ruskin, head of the Max's Project, writes: This is the first in a series of events to raise funds for the organization.

The Max's Kansas City Project is dedicated to providing emergency resources to needy individuals in the arts.

Perhaps the Gods have chosen us to take the initiative to organize the mission, while we are all still healthy and capable. Or, perhaps, we must simply show gratitude for this fortune of health by contributing to the quality of life of others in need. One thing is certain, though - the project cannot accomplish this end without your support. The extended family that Max's Kansas City has created must help. This is your opportunity to support the efforts of the foundation and assist Mike and others who will have to face these challenges.

Many Thanks!

Yvonne Sewall-Ruskin,
President