Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Weekend in the Triangle kicks off with a free public concert in the heart of downtown as Raleigh Rocks April 30, 2010.

The open-air event, designed to launch a weekend of fantastic music by stellar artists paying tribute to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, will feature performances by Professor Louie & The Crowmatix, 94 East and Troubled Identity.

When Raleigh Rocks, from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday night, music lovers will enjoy tributes to the legendary musicians of The Band, Prince and The Revolution, and a foray into alternative rock with the teens of Troubled Identity.

“Professor” Louie & The Crowmatix from Woodstock, NY, have been described by The Village Voice as “an Americana template that jams out timeless rock, country, blues and New Orleans influenced originals.” Aaron “Professor” Louie Hurwitz earned his name from Rick Danko, vocalist/bassist of The Band, when they performed together as a duo. Professor Louie co-produced, engineered and performed on The Band’s last three CDs. Music critics and former The Band members Danko, Garth Hudson and Levon Helm have each hailed The Crowmatix as a living incarnation of The Band’s sound and spirit. The Band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.

94 East, the band often credited with evolving the ‘Minneapolis Sound’ and whose members have both performed with and comprised Prince’s famous band The Revolution, will pay tribute to the creative genius who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Founder Pepé Willie honed his musical chops while working as a valet for 2009 Rock Hall Inductees Little Anthony and the Imperials. Engaged to Prince’s cousin, Shauntel Manderville, Pepé served as his mentor and helped him land his first recording contract. Snapper Music says, “Pepé Willie’s band – 94 East – will always be remembered as the band that gave the young Prince Rogers Nelson his first studio experience – let’s face it, a good enough reason to be remembered. What’s often overlooked is the skill and talent of Willie’s ensemble and the influence it had on the developing ‘Minneapolis Sound’, not to mention the influence it had on the developing Prince.”

Tagged by some reviewers as the next Jonas Brothers, Troubled Identity, a hot alternative rock band out of Chicago, is amassing fans with its unheard of riffs, honest lyrics and liveliness. Teenagers Max Subar, Alex Pomerantz, Shane Stewart and Jake Nankin formed the band in 2006, after meeting at the Highwood outpost of the performance-based Paul Green School of Rock, where they learned to cover classic-rock songs. Signed by Out the Box Records, Troubled Identity has just released its first self-titled EP. Time Out Chicago blogger Lily Hansen reviewed the band’s show at Park West in November and said, “The band’s vibrant energy and sheer enthusiasm at playing in front of a live audience was infectious and put a smile on my face. As it played its last song, a cover of ‘Rollover DJ’, it became evident that the band has at least one identity as an option: Rock stars.”

Watch for Culinary Rocker Johnny Ciao, celebrity chef to the rock stars, as he brings his harmonica and his syndicated TV show, Culinary Encounters with Johnny Ciao, to downtown Raleigh April 30. Ciao will be co-hosting and teaming up with Moe’s Southwest Grill to feed the event’s VIPs. Ciao has appeared on hundreds of radio and television programs, bringing along or preparing live on set his inventive and delicious Euro-California cuisine, as he tells fun and outrageous stories about the many celebrities and music stars he has served, including Carlos Santana, Willie Nelson, the Grateful Dead, Michael Jackson and Marlon Brando. Ciao, a former music industry executive, loved to cook for his celebrity clients and found the perfect fusion between music and food.

Alcohol will be available for sale at the event on Friday, April 30.

The free concert sets the stage for the 2010 Benefit Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, scheduled for May 1 at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. Rock fans will enjoy performances by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason, the Georgia Satellites, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Alan White’s White Sox All-Star Band featuring former members of Yes, Queen and Journey, and a closing performance by power rockers Cheap Trick. Proceeds from the show will benefit the Rock Hall's award-winning music education program, as well as the United Way of the Greater Triangle.

Tickets for the May 1 concert are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and the Booth Amphitheatre box office. A limited number of upfront reserved seats are available for $85, with remaining reserved seats priced at $55 and lawn seats priced at $40. Kids 12 and under will be admitted to the lawn free of charge. Music fans can visit www.rockhallbenefit.com for more information.

About the 2010 Benefit Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Proceeds from the show will help support the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s preservation and presentation of the history of the music that changed the world. Each year the nonprofit Museum hosts nearly half a million visitors and delivers award-winning education programs to over 50,000 school children from around the nation.

The show will also benefit United Way of the Greater Triangle.