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MAY 20, 2006
New York Times
'A few weeks ago, Steve Weitzman, a New York concert promoter, heard that Arthur Lee, the singer and songwriter of the 1960's psychedelic-rock band Love - never big stars, but much admired by critics and other musicians - had leukemia, and he began to put together a benefit concert to help cover Mr. Lee's medical expenses. A date of June 23 at the Beacon Theater in Manhattan was set, and the roster quickly began to fill up: Ryan Adams, Ian Hunter, Yo La Tengo, Nils Lofgren and Garland Jeffreys have already been confirmed. But one of the most enthusiastic volunteers was Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin. He said he would happily sing with anyone, and then, Mr. Weitzman said, 'He said something I never imagined Robert Plant would say: 'Is it O.K. if I do any Led Zeppelin songs?'

Artists performing included Flashy Python and the Body Snatchers, Garland Jeffreys, Yo La Tengo, Johnny Echols, Gavin DeGraw, Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, Nils Lofgren, Ian Hunter, and Robert Plant. Ian's set consisted of Once Bitten Twice Shy, Wash Us Away, I Wish I Was Your Mother, Central Park 'n' West, All The Way From Memphis, and All The Young Dudes. Ian also surfaced during Robert Plant's set, to sing a duet with Plant on the Everly Brothers' When Will I Be Loved.

Ian Hunter's Rant Band consisted of Ian Hunter - vocals, guitar, piano; Andy York - guitar; James Mastro - guitar; Andy Burton - keyboards; Tony Shanahan - bass; and Steve Holley - drums. The Rant Band backed Nils Lofgren, Ian Hunter, and Robert Plant.