
They say that Dan Fong captures the soul of the artist he is photographing, and who wouldn’t want to see the soul of the likes of Mick Jagger, Roger Daltrey, Tommy Bolin and Waylon Jennings?
Dan Fong’s retrospective photos from the highest echelons of rock ‘n roll were on display Thursday night as part of a fundraiser to call attention to and support the programs of Mental Health America of Colorado (MHAC). President and CEO Don Mares added his own flavor by playing some rock favorites with his band “Nearly There!,” and special appearances by Firefall’s Jock Bartley and Dan Fong’s daughter Megan Fong added to the memorable evening.
The late Barry Fey was supposed to also be on hand for this magical stroll through the coliseums and backstage antics of rock legends. Barry’s spirit permeated both the pictures displayed and the sentiments of guests (he was in a few photos and produced the concerts of most) . The main message was clear: that we need to pay more attention to mental health calls for help and address still largely misunderstood stigmas of suicide, depression and other mental health conditions.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of Mental Health America of Colorado, originally called the Colorado Association for Mental Health.
The need for focused attention to mental health is as great as ever. According to the Status of Behavioral Healthcare Report 2011, written by Advancing Colorado’s Mental Health Care, 3 in 10 Coloradans are in need of mental health or substance use disorder treatment in any given year. Colorado ranks 32nd in the nation for the amount of public sector mental health spending. Colorado ranks 6th in the country for the number of suicides each year. There is a significant shortage in the number of mental health providers in the state and there are greater barriers to mental health care for many communities, includingminorities, rural dwellers, the LGBT community, and veterans.
MHAC’s Tribute event will be October 26, 2013, where never before released photos by Dan Fong will be available through auction. You can also view and purchase these rare treasures through Mr. Fong’s website: www.thecreativeeyellc.com
- Guests strolling down rock memory lane
- A rare photo of Mick Jagger and Barry Fey…pictures such as this are available from Dan Fong’s website: www.thecreativeeyellc.com
- Steve Edmonds looks at some of the rock photos
- Alex Ferreira, left, and Jeffrey Rolf
- Clark Hagan, left, and Rich Ross
- Dan Fong doing what he does best!
- Former Denver Bronco Bucky Dilts, left, talks with Don Mares
- Dyana and Dr. Bert Furmansky
- Remus Tucker and Jock Bartley
- Remus Tucker and Jock Bartley sing some Firefall tunes and another tune that Jock wrote for mental health: “Call on Me.”
- Rich Ross, formerly of The Samples, with Jock Bartley of Firefall
- Board members Dyana Furmansky, left, and Brett Spurr and Pepi Spurr
- LC Clayton talks with some guests
- Kevin Standbridge, left, Frank Kelley and Sharon Standbridge
- Dan Fong and Don Mares work out some details
- Caitlin and Jim Pagano with Dan Fong
- Glo Nelson, left, Patty Chavez, Mike Kiska and Ada Claire, members of “Nearly There!” with Don Mares
- Dave Preston, left, and Clark Hagan
- Annie Cruse looks at some of the rock legend photos
- Katie Riley, left, Bryan Wait and Larry Spivak
- Celia Gause, left, Kelley Fox and Anne Mounsey
- Don Mares chats with Pam Stiffler
- David and Amanda Chaney, left, Jamie Gulick of MHAC
- A rare photo collage of Tommy Bolin by Dan Fong
- Tyler Fong, Linda Fong, Stacy Newman
- Kevin Ridley, left, Al Neff, Pete McKay
- Jim and Patricia Smith
- Tammy Mathias, left, Christy Morris, Candace Matthews
- Firefall’s Jock Bartley, left, with Al Neff, of 99.5 The Mountain
- A picture of Chuck Morris from circa 1975 by Dan Fong
- Dan Fong chats with Marie Belew Wheatley
- Nancy Alterman and Mawr Ilic
- Dr. Larry Spivak, left, Lisa Williams, Celia Gause and Scott Gause
- Hina Chow, left, LC Clayton (former security guard for Barry Fey), Linda Fong
- Kevin Ridley, left, Glenn Levinson and Andy Watson
- Board member Seth Belzley, left, Paul Wisor and Joe Hey
- President and CEO Don Mares welcomes guests
- Dan Fong stands before some of his rare, never-before-released photos from his archives
- Megan Fong, left, with Ian Nelson and Tristan Nelson