The '80s Rockers For Japan benefit took place on Saturday, April 16th at Harper’s in Reseda, California. The event was rganized by XYZ's Terry Ilous and featured members of some of the '80's most popular rock and metal bands. An interview with Ilous and TOTO legend Bobby Kimball about the event, conducted by Argentinean rock journalist Lucas H. Gordon, is available below:

Ilous recently spoke with BraveWords.com's Deb Rao about the importance of such a show.

"I was watching television and was amazed at what happened to all the people in Japan," says Ilous. "To be really honest with you I started crying. I felt really bad. I saw kids everyone. I have myself an Asian kid so I looked at the kids and it reminded me of my daughter. It could happen anywhere in the world including Los Angeles. The Japanese were saying that they were in disarray. There was no help yet. So I said well we need to help. We need to do whatever we can. So I said the only thing I can do is play music and do a concert. Maybe I can all my friends? Maybe we can raise money? So I called Rudy Sarzo, Chris Slade of AC/DC, Simon Wright, and Briian Tichy. All these friends are going to participate to raise money. So I called a club called Harpers. I called Rob the owner and I said, 'would you like to do a benefit?' He said, 'Absolutely.' We are going to donate 100 percent of the door. We will do it for the Red Cross. All of a sudden it started to snowball. I managed to get a company to do a live streaming. So it is going to be broadcast all over the Internet. All of the world for free. People can donate a little bit of money if they want to. If they can't, then they can just say a prayer. This company came on board. They are called Front Row Entertainment. Here we are today two weeks from the event. A lot of people will be singing on the song. Jeff Paris and myself wrote a song,’ One Family' that I will be donating 100 percent of the publishing to the Red Cross. Lita Ford will be singing a couple of lines also Paul Shortino, Don Dokken, and myself. I am waiting to hear from more and more people. I am very blessed."
"Japan has always been very supportive to rock n' roll music," Ilous continues. "We have been to Japan many times. It is so supportive. So what I can do is do a little Benefit. I am a Buddhist, I always believe that my motto is,” Giving is receiving." It is that simple. You give to someone and somehow you receive love. You receive back. So I am doing this show. I know a lot of people will be happy. I know tomorrow morning someone is going to be able to eat. I won't be able to raise tens of thousands of dollars but I will be able to raise some money. I know tomorrow morning a little kid is going to be able to eat because of my friends and myself and Bravewords advertising this show. I will feel better."

The list of performers who did the show and committed to the recording/video project include: Chris Slade (AC/DC, THE FIRM), Rudy Sarzo (WHITESNAKE, OZZY OSBOURNE, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT), Briian Tichy (Whitesnake, FOREIGNEER, BILLY IDOL), Richie Kotzen (POISON, MR. BIG), Juan Croucier (RATT), Jon Levin (DOKKEN), John Payne (ASIA), Teddy Zigzag (GUNS N' ROSES), James Lomenzo (MEGADETH/BLACK LABEL SOCIETY), Marco Mendoza (THIN LIZZY/Whitesnake), Robin McAuley (SURVIVOR /MSG), Simon Wright (DIO/AC/DC/UFO), Robert Sarzo (HURRICANE), Mitch Perry (MSG/Asia/EDGAR WINTER) and LITA FORD.