Trio of Rock Concerts to Salute Troops for Persian Gulf Service

The parades have passed, but tributes to all the U.S. troops who have served in the Persian Gulf will continue with a trio of concerts at the Celebrity Theatre, starting tonight.

Stryper leads tonight’s hard-rock bill, which also features Rhino Bucket, also from Orange County; Tattoo Rodeo, from New York; Loudness, from Japan, and Wild Boyz, from Valencia. A show Wednesday will feature the reunited ‘70s progressive-rock band Kansas; shock-comic Sam Kinison will headline the final show Thursday. Organizers promise surprise musical guests at next week’s performances but say they can’t identify them.

The shows are being assembled by the newly formed Rockers United for the USA, a West Hollywood group whose three principal founders hail from Orange County. The organizers say that 55% of the proceeds from the concerts will benefit the American Red Cross, and 10% will benefit the Los Angeles Chapter of the USO, with the rest earmarked for operating costs (although the musicians are donating their time, they will be reimbursed for expenses).

“We’re trying to generate patriotic awareness,” said G.G. Force, Rockers United president and spokesman. It may seem that patriotic awareness is one item that isn’t in short supply these days, but Force said he is looking to spread the word among the young rock ‘n’ roll crowd.

Force, who grew up in Villa Park, said that plans for the shows were hatched in January, long before the Allied ground offensive against Iraq was launched. Although the war ended quickly, Force and his fellow Rockers decided to keep the shows alive. “There are still thousands of troops there,” said Force. “Let’s not forget about them.”

Force said he met with enthusiastic support from the musical community, but he acknowledged that there have been difficulties putting the concerts together and that dates, venues and lineups had to be changed several times. He said these changes were unavoidable because summer is the busiest touring season for most acts.

Tonight’s headliner, Orange County-based Stryper, started out as a Christian hard rock band that tossed Bibles into the audience, but it dropped the religious aura last year. Wednesday’s show is being billed as the only California appearance by Kansas’ original lineup.

Loudmouthed comic Kinison, whose appearance at the Celebrity a year ago drew protests from gay activists, will be followed by a musical jam with various guests, according to Force.

Depending on the success of these concerts, Force said, Rockers United for the USA would like to organize future events to benefit a range of charities. “We see a long future in it,” said Force.

Stryper, Tattoo Rodeo, Loudness, Rhino Bucket, Wild Boyz and others play tonight at 7:30 (tickets: $25.50); Kansas and guests play Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. (tickets: $29.50) and Sam Kinison and guests perform Thursday at 7:30 p.m. (tickets: $28) at the Celebrity Theatre, 201 E. Broadway, Anaheim. Information: (714) 999-9536.