Punk + Metal Luminaries Donate Items to Auction Aiding Guitarist Frank Ruffino’s Liver Transplant
Members of Social Distortion, Pennywise, Rancid, Bad Religion, Black Flag and more are teaming up to donate items in hopes of raising money to assist China White guitarist Frank Ruffino get the liver surgery that will save his life.
The Unite the United Foundation will host the benefit auction, which is filled with autographed instruments, skate decks and memorabilia donated by some of punk and metal's biggest bands. Some of the top items on the block include a Social Distortion autographed acoustic guitar and autographed electric guitars from Pennywise, Rancid, Bad Religion, The Adolescents and TSOL's Ron Emory. Fans can also bid on signed posters, DVDs and CDs from Pearl Jam, a Slayer Kerry King autographed BC Rich Warlock Electric guitar, signed prints of Lemmy from Motorhead and Slayer's Kerry King and so much more.
The auction items will be displayed at two separate events April 14 at the Los Angeles Punk Museum and April 20 at Huntington Beach's The Second Floor Food. The actual eBay auctions of the items begin April 20 and can be accessed via the Unite the United website here or the actual Unite the United eBay site here.
As guitarist for seminal SoCal punk outfit China White, Ruffino left his mark on the music scene. In spite of numerous lineup changes over the years, the guitarist remained the one constant member and has been well respected in the punk community. The musician, a father of two, has spent the past year in and out of hospitals awaiting a liver transplant that would save his life. He's currently being treated at the UCLA Medical Center and the hope is to have the transplant conducted at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., by mid-April.
On top of the auctions, there will also be a benefit show this Saturday (March 30) at the Observatory in Santa Ana featuring China White, the Cadillac Tramps, the Stitches, the Crowd, HFL, the Galway Hooker Band, Anarchy Taco and Aggroculture U.S.
All proceeds from the auction and benefit show will go to Frank's hospital care, the family's lodging and transportation expenses. Loudwire sends its best to Frank Ruffino and his family during this difficult time.
Watch China White Performing in 1981