ATs*69 performs their renditions of popular 80s rock at the Sakura Shell on Yokota Air Base Saturday for 'Tomodachi Stock,' a free concert held to raise money through concessions and Red Cross donations for the tsunami victims in northern Japan. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
ATs*69 performs their renditions of popular 80s rock at the Sakura Shell on Yokota Air Base Saturday for 'Tomodachi Stock,' a free concert held to raise money through concessions and Red Cross donations for the tsunami victims in northern Japan. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
It was the perfect day for a concert as music fans flocked to the Sakura Shell on Yokota Air Base Saturday for 'Tomodachi Stock,' a free concert held to raise money through concessions and Red Cross donations for the tsunami victims in northern Japan. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
Seven-year-old Melody Morey does Senior Airman Chad Usher's nails while helping to raise money for the tsunami victims in northern Japan Saturday at 'Tomodachi Stock' at the Sakura Shell on Yokota Air Base. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
Yokota Air Base resident Christopher Black tends to a grill Saturday at 'Tomodachi Stock' at the Sakura Shell on base, the site of a free concert to raise money through concessions and Red Cross donations for the tsunami victims in northern Japan. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
Tr3s, a Latin jazz band, was one of the seven bands performing at 'Tomodachi Stock' Saturday at the Sakura Shell on Yokota Air Base, the site of a free concert to raise money through concessions and Red Cross donations for the tsunami victims in northern Japan. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
A young fan watches as the lead singer of ATs*69 performs 80s rock at 'Tomodachi Stock' Saturday at the Sakura Shell on Yokota Air Base, the site of a free concert held to raise money through concessions and Red Cross donations for the tsunami victims in northern Japan. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
Volunteers from the American Red Cross cheer for donations at 'Tomodachi Stock' Saturday at the Sakura Shell on Yokota Air Base, site of a free concert to raise money for the tsunami victims in northern Japan. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
A young boy enjoys 'Tomodachi Stock' with his family Saturday at the Sakura Shell on Yokota Air Base, the site of a free concert to raise money through concessions and Red Cross donations for the tsunami victims in northern Japan. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
The 374th Force Support Squadron's mascot, 'Samurai Fox,' greets a young concert attendee of 'Tomodachi Stock' Saturday at the Sakura Shell on Yokota Air Base, the site of a free concert to raise money through concessions and Red Cross donations for the tsunami victims in northern Japan. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
Takako Dezell and Tammy Northcutt, employees of Navy Federal Credit Union, volunteered their skills tallying money raised from 'Tomodachi Stock' Saturday at the Sakura Shell on Yokota Air Base, the site of a free concert that raised money through concessions and Red Cross donations for the tsunami victims in northern Japan. (Grant Okubo/Stars and Stripes)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — The base was rocking Saturday as hundreds of Yokota residents took in a free concert and opened their wallets for the tsunami victims in northern Japan.
Tomodachi Stock, which ran from noon to 7 p.m. and featured everything from Irish rock and Latin jazz to a performance from an 80’s rock band, helped raise $21,000 for the Red Cross Earthquake/Tsunami Relief fund.
“I could sit here all day,” said Master Sgt. Jayson Headrick as he took in the music at the Sakura Shell on Yokota’s east side. “I’ve got the blanket out just sitting here relaxing, chatting with friends once in a while as we run in to them.“
Although the event was free, the money poured in throughout the day as individuals and groups made donations at a booth set up by the Red Cross. Proceeds from the various food booths where also going to the victims, officials said.
“It feels good to help support Japan,” Headrick said.
Event coordinator Lt. Col. Michael Edwards, who also took the stage with his band “Day’s Gone By,” was happy with the outcome.
“The big thing is we are doing something bigger than us... and we have the capacity to help with our rock,” Edwards said before taking the stage. “When you think about doing good for other people you have to go full throttle to get it done.”
