Grace Slick and Los Angeles songwriter Michelle Mangione have joined forces on a new song to be released this week that brings together musicians from across the US to raise money for aid to Louisiana. The GRAMMY Museum has partnered with the artists, lending its support for the track, The Edge of Madness, in order to benefit fishermen and musicians in the areas hardest hit by the disaster.The song debuted at The GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles July 24 at an art exhibit and reception, featuring the artwork of Slick and an interview with KLOS DJ Jim Ladd.
The recording, featuring over 20 musicians and singers, is one of the first of its kind that includes musicians of many genres and generations in support of those who are struggling financially due to the oil spill.
"I always thought government was supposed to take care of its people," Slick said. "What's going on?"
Slick and Mangione wrote the music and lyrics for The Edge of Madness, a song that pays tribute to the musical legacy of Louisiana.
"Grace was so pissed off by Louisiana being hit from every angle, between Katrina and now BP, that she sent me these lyrics and asked me to write the music," Mangione said. "We started putting out the word to
other musicians and singers who also felt helpless and wondered what they could do. Then the parts just started coming in. Most of the recording was done in my bedroom studio. Those who were not in town sent in their parts via the internet."
Slick and Mangione are joined on the recording by other top musicians and singers, including Bill Medley (Righteous Brothers), Tom Dumont (No Doubt), Billy Zoom (X), Martha Davis (The Motels), Kid Ramos (The Fabulous Thunderbirds), Larry Hanson (Alabama), Terri Nunn (Berlin), and Steven Hodges (Tom Waits, Smashing Pumpkins).
The track will be released on an independent label and will be available for a download purchase from The GRAMMY Museum's website. Proceeds from sales will be donated directly to the The Greater New Orleans Foundation's Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund that offers aid to fishermen and their families, and to the MusicCares Foundationฎ, which provides emergency financial assistance to members of the music community across the U.S., and continues to offer support to music people and their families in Louisiana.
Slick and Mangione last worked together as co-writers on the highly regarded What is a Saint, the title track on Mangione's most recent CD, released in 2009.
The Edge of Madness can be downloaded from The GRAMMY Museum's website link: http://www.grammymuseum.org.
