Red Dawn American Indian Benefit Is Postponed Till Spring, Producer Says

Red Dawn ‘92, a rock benefit for American Indian colleges, has been postponed until May.

Event Productions, a Marina del Rey company that is producing Red Dawn ‘92, had announced plans to rent Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre for a three-day festival in October that would draw attention to American Indian issues on the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ landing while raising money for the American Indian College Fund.

Noel (Ratty) Wyatt, the benefit’s prime mover, said Thursday that corporate sponsors interested in underwriting the festival had asked for a delay because “they need more time to do major promotions.” Wyatt said he is “100% certain” that a festival, scaled back to two days, will take place at Irvine Meadows in the spring.

Wyatt said he had enough talent lined up to put on a two-day concert next month but decided not to go ahead without corporate sponsors to defray staging expenses.

“We could have raised some money, but it wouldn’t have been a great deal,” he said. “We want to raise a spectacular amount of money.”

Wyatt said he has contacted the performers and “everybody said they will be involved in May.”

Among those who had committed to the October dates were Ian Astbury of the Cult, Dan Fogelberg, Nelson, Motorhead, the Damned, America, Rita Coolidge, Richie Havens, John Trudell and Dave Mason. Robbie Robertson had agreed to serve as host.