The Australian music industry was left devastated by the tragic death of much-loved production manager, Shane Cooper, and the serious injury of drummer Mick Skelton, in a car accident while on their way to a Thirsty Merc gig in regional Victoria.
To raise money for the pair’s families, the old guard of Aussie rock are joining forces for an all-star benefit concert.
The show, entitled One For The Road is set to take place at Sydney’s The Enmore Theatre on Monday, 23rd November, and will feature an absolute blockbuster lineup.
We’re talking Baby Animals, Diesel (with Jimmy Barnes), Dragon, Choirboy’s frontman Mark Gable, Hoodoo Gurus, Noiseworks, Jeff Martin (The Tea Party), Wendy Matthews, Ian Moss with Andy Bickers, Angry Anderson, The Superjesus, Thirsty Merc and loads more.
One For The Road promoter, Marc Christowski, says: “Shane Cooper was an integral part of my organisation and Mick Skelton is my go-to drummer. It’s not often this sort of tragedy strikes and I’m proud to say that we have been inundated with artists and crew offering their services to produce this extraordinary benefit concert. It’s going to be one hell of a show, packed with all the biggest hits, a huge production and some very special surprises.”
In the wake of the news, Skelton – who has now been released from hospital and is recuperating at home – also released the following message:
“I’m incredibly grateful to everyone for the love and support that’s been shown since the tragic accident in September. Of course, all our hearts and thoughts are, and will always be, with Shane’s wife Olivia, their beautiful children and the entire Cooper family.
Since being told of the benefit concert, not a day has gone by that I haven’t felt overwhelmed and so very humbled. I am so proud to be surrounded by people with such love and support for Shane’s family and for my family and myself. It says so much about everyone, from the people putting this together, to the absolutely stellar line up. It’s just incredible and words can’t describe what the night is going to be like.
Even though there is still a long road of recovery left, my spirits remain high and I find comfort in the knowledge that I’ll soon be back behind the drums again, playing the music I love, with the people I love.
To everyone, thank you SO much, inspiration is what can get us thru anything, and I’m not only incredibly driven to get up and get back out there, but I’m so very, very inspired. All my love, Mick xx”
Tickets for One For The Road go on sale from at 10am on Monday, 2nd November and are expected to sell fast.
All proceeds will go to the Cooper and Skelton families.
For anyone not able to attend the concert, donations can also be made by heading to www.supportact.org.au/donate.
Check out the concert’s full lineup and ticketing details, below.
Watch: Thirsty Merc – The Good Life
One For The Road Lineup
1927
Baby Animals
Diesel with special guest Jimmy Barnes
Dragon
Mark Gable (Choirboys)
Hoodoo Gurus
Noiseworks
Jeff Martin (The Tea Party)
Wendy Matthews
Russell Morris
Ian Moss with Andy Bickers
Angry Anderson
Alex Smith (Moving Pictures)
The Superjesus
Swanee + Jagger Alexander Erber
Thirsty Merc
Ziggy (the Bowie Show) featuring Steve Balbi, Brydon Stace + Jeff Duff
Monday, 23rd November
Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Tickets: Ticketek
