Smashing Pumpkins benefit raises more than $80k for Madina Lake's Matthew Leone
Even Gov. Pat "Cherub Rock-4-Ever" Quinn was there.
Heartfelt wishes from your Chicago Cubs.
Tuesday's Smashing Pumpkins concert at Metro was, in fact, a smashing success. Horrible puns aside, the event raised more than $80,000 for Matthew Leone, bassist for the local group Madina Lake. Leone was the victim of a heinous assault this June and is currently in stable condition awaiting surgery to reapply the portion of his skull that was removed to relieve pressure on his brain following the attack.
Described by the Chicago Tribune as "triumphant and tearful," the concert ran over two hours. Spinner notes that "For the encore, the Metro staff and opener Kill Hannah joined [Smashing Pumpkins lead singer Billy] Corgan onstage to sing '1979,'" after which Corgan auctioned off the guitar he played all night to the crowd for a cool $10,000.
Gov. Pat Quinn was in attendance to declare Tuesday "Matthew Leone Day" in Illinois, saying, "We have a true American hero right here in Matthew Leone."
It should be noted that Leone doesn't have health insurance, and his bills will surely total well more than $80,000. Anyone interested and feeling charitable can donate to the Matthew Leone Fund at Sweet Relief, a non-profit that helps musicians facing illness, disability, or age-related problems.
