An outpouring of love an support befell Jesse Malin in NYC last weekend as Elvis Costello, Little Steven, Lucinda Williams, Rickie Lee Jones, Jakob Dylan, J Mascis, Tommy Stinson and others gathered for a benefit to give aid to the musician.
Malin experienced a rare spinal stroke last year that left him paralyzed from the waist down.
The co-founder of the '90s glam/punk band D Generation, Malin first made it into the scene at just 12 years old with his group Heart Attack where he was the singer.
The two-night affair (12/1 & 12/2) featured 11 performances on Sunday and 13 on Monday at the 100 year-old Manhattan theater that seats about 3,000.
Sunday's gig was Malin's first time in front of a live audience in more than a year since suffering the stroke.
He played two sets of material the first night, mostly from his solo work but also some classic covers like The Pogues' "If I Should Fall From Grace With God," and The Ramones' "Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio."
It concluded with The Clash's "Rudie Can't Fail" where Lucinda Williams (who produced his 2019 Sunset Kids LP) joined in on vocals along with Costello, Butch Walker, Danny Clinch and Danny Sage.
Looking cool as ever with a sleeveless undershirt, hat and glasses, Malin's energy was high and the full band including a horn section helped with an upbeat vibe.
It was not a wake, it was a comeback in the best way.
Of the many highlights was Williams and Costello (who said he was inspired by Jesse to stay in show business) who sang The Rolling Stones classic "Wild Horses."
Elvis has never shied away from showing off his strong voice. Meanwhile, seeing Lucinda in a leather jacket and Motorhead shirt reflected the New York edge Malin had long represented.
Little Steven, fresh off wrapping up the Canadian leg of the Bruce Springsteen tour of Canada, joined Malin on "Turn Up The Mains" from New York Before the War which celebrates its 10th anniversary next year.
Malin's music and history is perfect for Van Zants' Underground Garage station on SiriusXM.
In August Malin told his followers on Instagram that he was was graduating from a wheelchair to a walker.
"I've working real hard with my therapist here in New York, and in Argentina. I'm back and they got me out of the chair a lot of the day. I have a wheelchair and I'm up on a walker. It feels good to be up," he said in a video. "I just wanted to say thank you, you know, for everything and all the support from you guys."
The benefit was hosted by Sweet Relief a non-profit that was launched 30 years ago by the incredible folk singer/songwriter Victoria Williams after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while on tour with Neil Young and was forced to drop out.
Artists from Lou Reed to Pearl Jam to Soul Asylum joined forces to create an album of Victoria's music to help with her treatment.
Since then, the charity has given financial aid to musicians struggling with medical expenses and basic living costs. Over the years musicians like Jeff Austin, Phil Alvin, Vic Chestnutt, Lester Chambers, Jerry Donahue, Glen Duncan, and Dirk Johnson have been the beneficiaries of the support.
Pearl Jam regularly plays "Crazy Mary" to this day in concert, a cover of hers that they recorded on the first Sweet Relief album.
In September a tribute album for Malin was released with a new crop of stars. Bruce Springsteen, Billie Joe Armstrong, Jack Antonoff, Williams, Costello, Spoon, The Hold Steady, Dinosaur Jr., and Susanna Hoffs covered more than two dozen of Malin's songs on an album called Silver Patron Saints.
Grab the album here and support Jesse's recovery as he strives to walk again. But as we can see, he can still rock.
