Memory Rock: 20 Years of Memories, Music & Impact

Reflections from founder Steve Monroe

“It is ironic that as I look back on 20 years of a fundraiser benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter, I am filled with memories.”

The beginning

It is ironic that as I look back on 20 years of a fundraiser benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter, I am filled with memories. Twenty years ago, I had virtually no knowledge of Alzheimer’s, other than the depictions we would see on television or chance encounters. But one day, a dear friend asked me to pick up her mother from the airport and help her move into an assisted living community’s memory ward. When I met the woman, I was stunned that she wasn’t simply an absent-minded older lady. She had reverted to speaking Spanish and needed around-the-clock care. I also learned that my friend’s father had died in his 50s and had younger-onset Alzheimer’s. This motivated me to raise awareness of the disease, and I knew that previous experience would help me do so.

I lived in Kansas City from 1976 through 1992. During my latter years in Kansas City, I joined the annual United Cerebral Palsy telethon, hosted by a friend. And while others on the phone bank answered calls, I called out! Thus, when I moved to Chicago and met Bill Barry (BB), it was an easy choice to join his Sports Awards Dinner benefiting the March of Dimes. That became one of the best decisions of my life. When that event was discontinued following Bill’s retirement from assisting the March of Dimes, I searched for another event to continue that great work. Meeting my friend’s mother stirred me to emulate Bill’s March of Dimes work by creating a fundraiser that would benefit the Illinois Chapter.

A committee builds a tradition

The biggest lesson I learned from BB is that the success of any event is directly correlated to the time and effort of its committee. In those early days, our committee was small but dedicated, and we quickly focused on having a concert at Joe’s Sports Bar on Weed Street. Tom DeSanto and Ed Warm of Joe’s are close friends, and for many years they hosted and promoted the event and were integral to its success. Lee Golub’s band Doctor Bombay played most of those early years until The Deacons (with Rick DuPraw of Leopardo) and others played. Dan Ulbricht was always my buddy with the bands, and he took care of it, as he continues to do so today!

From $3,500 to an annual Chicago tradition

Our first year, I think we made a total of about $3,500. But year two we took off because of the efforts of Richard Klein, who sent invitations through his Downtown Real Estate Softball League email list. Richie pushed the event, and his many friends supported his efforts!

The event grew. I appeared on Rick Kogan’s WGN radio show, touting Memory Rock. Jeff Nuich and his local television networks came to the venue and included us in public service spots, carried live from Joe’s. We had emcees such as Sarah Kustok and other television personalities (usually persuaded to help by Jeff). Bill and Christine Barry, Dan Barry, Larry Zall, Draper and Kramer, Leopardo … were generous sponsors. Suddenly, Memory Rock was an annual event! People would reach out and ask, “Hey, when is Memory Rock this year?”

Carrying the legacy forward

At some juncture, I bought a home near family in the Seattle area and began to spend more time there. Memory Rock had the risk of fading, but the most important point in the event’s history came about when Andrew Wiedner took over as committee chair. Andrew and his wife, Nikki, were former March of Dimes volunteers, too! Under Andrew’s stewardship, the event grew, and it’s wonderful to see new leadership continue this important event.

When the mission becomes personal

During an early meeting, I asked each committee member to tell us why they were involved. Many had family members or friends with Alzheimer’s, or simply wanted to give back to the community. “Well,” I said. “If you don’t have it in your family or circle of friends now, you will …”

Twenty years later, my family has seen multiple in-laws die after many years with the disease. Countless friends from those early years of the event now have Alzheimer’s. And some of the friends with whom we shared a ton of laughs have died. So, to end this, I want to post a few names that have helped so much …

I look forward to seeing everyone on Oct. 22. rock on! Get your tickets at MemoryRockChicago.com

People who helped make Memory Rock possible

• Richie Klein | Basically a co-founder as the event grew rapidly when he joined.

• Bill Barry | His March of Dimes volunteer career, community leadership and generosity is unmatched.

• Andrew Wiedner | If he hadn’t stepped in and took charge, the event might not have survived.

• Sandy Prabhakar | A great friend who became a great committee member and now is on the board with the Association.

• Tom DeSanto and Ed Warm of Joe’s | They hosted us for years and bent over backward to make the event a success.

• Sam Sanchez and Michael Gonzalez of Tunnel | I spent a lot of time at Moe’s and Old Crow when I lived across the street on LaSalle.

• Early committee members | Ryan Esche, Krista Kearney (Migely), Guy Greco, Ted Parris, John Kinsella, Whitney Susoreny and Jeff Nuich