Jurassic Rock fundraiser concert celebrates 10 years

Jurassic Rock is like a high school reunion for local rock musicians.

Started in 1994 as a single show at the Cadillac Club, the on-stage get together was the brain child of local musicians Randy Koontz and Steve and Kathi Emler – a free-for-all jam that would bring together members of former Fresno rock bands.

The name, “Jurassic Rock,” was a joking nod to those participating musicians, who had played in town throughout the ’60s and ’70s and considered themselves “dinosaurs.”

It’s still on the nose, says Jon Kapetan, a local musician who owned the Cadillac Club at the time.

“We were old guys back then,” he says.

They were mostly in their 30s.

The idea was revived in 2006 and Jurassic Rock has become an annual concert and fundraiser. This year’s jam –the 10th – happens Saturday, Jan. 9, at Fulton 55.

True to form, there are no official bands on the bill, Kapertan says. Rather, assorted groups of players will take the stage every 20 minutes. Those familiar with the old scene will recognize members of Thrust, Monarch, Rist Rocket, Chrystar, The Pep Boys, Radio London, Sexx Sinn and the Intruders. Kapetan will also play, along with his brother, radio host and musician Ray Appleton.

Proceeds from the concert have never gone back to the musicians, Kapetan says.

For several years the event benefited breast cancer research. But for the the past five years, proceeds have gone to Ron and Kerry Rivas and their son Donovan, who was born with Shprintzen-Goldberg Syndrome. The Fresno family has created a Wesbite, http://donovansdisease.webstarts.com/, to help educate others about the rare (super rare, actually) connective tissue disease.

Last year’s event raised more than $2,000 to help the family pay for expenses when it travels for treatments for Donovan, Kapetan says.

This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Jurassic Rock fundraiser concert celebrates 10 years."