Sep 28, 2009 5:33 PM

Legendary drummer and founding member of Little Feat, Richie Hayward (pictured), has been diagnosed with liver cancer. Two L.A. musicians, who have received an outpouring of help from the music community, have organized a benefit concert to raise money for Hayward’s burgeoning medical expenses. The concert will take place on Sunday, October 4 at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills, Calif.

Hayward’s illness has forced him to take an indefinite leave of absence from the band to fight this debilitating disease. Hayward will receive no income while he is off the road, and he is just one of the more than 40 million Americans without health insurance.

In December 2001, Hayward’s son, Severin, was severely injured in a car accident and suffered major brain damage, from which he is still recovering. This and other crises in Hayward's life have cost him a great deal emotionally and financially, and now he is facing his own medical crisis.

Some of the artists who are scheduled to perform are guitarists Jimmy Vivino and Steve Lukather, blues artist Coco Montoya, percussionist Luis Conte, former Little Feat vocalist Shaun Murphy, blues artist Albert Lee, Lightnin’ Willie & The Poor Boys, the Restless Blues Band, Big Fish seven-piece blues band, the Jeremiah Roiko Band, Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps, Dallas Hodge and his band, and the Laurie Morvan Band.

Large corporations such as Drum Workshop (DW), Sabian cymbals, Zildjian cymbals, Pearl drums and more, plus local businesses, have also donated goods and services for the organizers to be auctioned or raffled off on the night, including a special “Richie Hayward” drum kit from DW Drums.

The Sweet Relief Musicians Fund is also helping to facilitate this event and ongoing fund raising for Richie is Sweet Relief Musicians Fund. Sweet Relief is a national non-profit charity dedicated to providing financial support for career musicians facing illness, disability or age related problems.

Tickets for the benefit concert will be $20 general admission, and $50 for the VIP seating area. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Canyon Club at 818/879-5016; directly from one of the organizers, or from Ticketmaster. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Music starts at 5:30 p.m. and will continue through the night. The venue is open to all ages.

A Website has been set up by the organizers for further information: www.richiehaywardbenefit.com.

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