Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler is among the artists confirmed to perform at a Unite To Face Addiction rally in Washington, DC on October 4.
Organized by the new non-profit organization Facing Addiction, the free event on the National Mall is designed to raise awareness and initiate dialogue about the problems of addiction in America.
Tyler will be joined by his Nashville-based band Loving Mary and will perform as part of a lineup that includes Joe Walsh, Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell, The Fray, and John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls alongside a host of guest speakers.
"Unite To Face Addiction will mark the first time our nation will collectively stand up to addiction, a health problem that impacts 1 in 3 households," says Greg Williams, co-founder of Facing Addiction and a person in long-term recovery. "Twenty-two million Americans are currently suffering from a substance use disorder, and more than 23 million others are living in recovery. When you include the families of the afflicted, addiction impacts over 85 million people — we all know somebody. It's not 'those' people, it's all of us."
"When I lost my son, Austin, to addiction, I had no idea this tragedy was happening all over America — and that in our country, a life is lost to addiction every 4 minutes — the equivalent of a jumbo jet falling from the sky every day, with no survivors," adds Facing Addiction co-founder Jim Hood. "We know there are solutions to the addiction crisis and it's time for America to face addiction and exercise the political and social will to act on those solutions."
Additional performers and special guests will be announced in the coming weeks.
To donate to Facing Addiction, you can text FACING to 41444 or visit FacingAddiction.org, where you can also find more information including updates about the Unite To Face Addiction rally.
Tyler and Aerosmith recently wrapped up their Blue Army summer tour of North America.
The Boston band will release a new live package, “Aerosmith Rocks Donington 2014”, on Blu Ray, DVD and Digital on September 4.
The set features Aerosmith’s headline performance on June 15, 2014 as they closed the final night of the Download Festival in Donington Park.
See also:
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