Rock Legends Plan Pancreatic Cancer Benefit in Excelsior

A collection of rock legends with local ties will unite later this month to perform at the "Don't Stop Believin—Gary Wellner's Gift to Pancreatic Cancer Research" benfit concert. The event will take place at the Bayview Event Center in Excelsior on Thursday, Nov. 29 from 7-11 p.m. and will feature lead singers from leading 80s rock bands suuch as Santana, Toto and a performance by Tim Mahoney, a Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter who recently appeared on NBC's "The Voice."

Gary Wellner is from Brooklyn Park, MN, and was a retired teacher and college professor and long-time wrestling coach. He was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in September of 2012. Wellner's son-in-law, Mike Woodley, reached out to his friends to organize a Pancreatic Cancer Research benefit event in Gary's name.

"It came together quickly," said Woodley. "November is Pancreatic Cancer awareness month, and the color is purple; we wanted bring awareness by creating a benefit to help the lives of people who suffer from the disease and aid in prevention research."

Woodley added that Pancreatic Cancer is now ranked as the second leading cause of death to those diagnosed with cancer, according to the CDC.

"It hits our family and many others close to home, it's an important cause I have decided to passionately support," he said.

The event will have a cash bar and silent/live auction. Performing that night will be Kevin Chalfant, the first lead singer to stand in for Steve Perry and the band Journey. Kevin was also lead singer for national bands 707, Alan Parsons Project and The Storm.

Alex Ligertwood, former Santanta lead singer (79-94), Derek St. Holmes—current and original lead vocals/guitar for the Ted Nugent Band, Fergie Frederiksen—Toto former lead singer—and Tim Mahoney will all perform at the concert.

For more information please call 612-386-0082 or visit www.Headliner-band.com.