BLACK CHERRY, one of Hollywood's top bands of the late '80s and early '90s, will reunite for a one-time show at the Viper Room in Hollywood as a tribute to their rhythm guitarist
Curtis Grant, who tragically passed away after losing his battle with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at age 39. He is survived by his wife and two children.
BLACK CHERRY vocalist
Paul Black said of the immensely popular guitarist, "He was the heart and soul of
BLACK CHERRY. His enthusiasm for the band and his all around love of life was the main source of inspiration and motivation which kept us all rockin'." The show will take place on Thursday, October 16, with
JET BOY and
Gilby Clarke's band
KILL FOR THRILLS. This will be
BLACK CHERRY's first show in 16 years and will feature all original members
Dave Walsh and
Josh Blake on guitars,
Scott Lipps on drums,
Michael Stevens on bass and
Paul Black on lead vocals.
After departing from
L.A. GUNS,
Paul Black started
BLACK CHERRY with
Scott Lipps in 1987.
Curtis Grant became the band's rhythm guitarist after
Josh Blake left to form
THE GUTTER CATS.
BLACK CHERRY's first shows were opening for
JANE'S ADDICTION,
45 GRAVE,
IGGY POP, and
LORDS OF THE NEW CHURCH. Their one release
"Devil In You" on
Metal Blade Records'
"Street Survivors" compilation received generous radio airplay and catapulted them to local fame. Lasting four years without a deal, they played their last show in April of 1992 at the Whisky A Go Go.
Curtis Grant relocated back to his hometown San Francisco, dedicating much of his time to family, his Native American heritage and community. He continued his music career by forming
AMERICAN HEARTBREAK with
JET BOY guitarist
Billy Rowe. Drummer
Scott Lipps went on to establish one of the top entertainment companies in the country,
One Model Management in New York. He also has an all-star band in New York City called
MARS. Bassist
Michael Stevens moved to Maryland where he is raising a family and owns a successful scooter company called
Scootertronics. He continued playing music with
Tommy and the
LOVE TRIBE.
Dave Walsh went on to a career as a guitarist for
THE EXIES and has been busy as a songwriter. His music has been featured on
"Saturday Night Live",
"MTV Movie Awards",
"Bad Boys 2" and
"Guitar Hero".
Paul Black formed
SONIC BOOM with
Jo Almeida and released
"Sun Down Yellow Moon". He has spent most of the last decade producing bands and composing movie soundtracks. After spending the last two years touring with his former band
L.A. GUNS,
Paul has formed a new group with
Jo "Dog" Almeida,
Muddy Stardust and drummer
Dennis Morehouse. They are scheduled to record an album for
Alexis Records at the end of October.
BLACK CHERRY will release a seven-song EP of studio recordings they produced during their time together. It will be dedicated to the memory of
Curtis Grant.
"Ashes to Diamonds" will be the first official release by the band and will be available at the reunion show along with other merchandise. All proceeds will go to
Curtis Grant's family.
