Chet's Last Call Documentary Fund
Donation protected
Chet's Last Call : A Story of Rock & Redemption
This is the story of CHET’S LAST CALL “Ground zero of the underground Boston music scene in the 1980’s” and of its owner Richard (Chet) Rooney, a man who came full circle in his far too short life.
Chet died suddenly in his sleep on December 10th 2015. He helped countless bands get their start from 1982 to 1987. All the bands in this documentary got a lot of tough love and inspiration from Chet early in their now long careers. Later in life, Chet went on to help many of these same people get clean as a drug and alcohol counselor. Having been there and kicked it himself, Chet knew how to help. He was the youngest club owner in Boston and related to the music and the people who made that music like no other.
So, we decided to have an old fashioned Irish wake, Chet’s Last Call style: put on a show, film it, record it and make this documentary to honor our old friend, his beloved dive bar and to continue his mission to help people trapped in the bonds of addiction. A portion of all proceeds from this documentary will be used to help fund addiction treatment and prevention centers throughout the country
On February 12th and May 21st 2016 fourteen bands including Dogzilla, Bim Skala Bim, Dogmatics, Pajama Slave Dancers, Liz Borden Group, Moose and the Mudbugs,, The Real Kids, Xanna Don't , Randy Black , The Hopelessly Obscure, Classic Ruins, Chelsea Clutch, Joe Harvard, Harlequin, AEF, Linda Viens, The Choirboys and several special guests, family and friends all gathered at Once Ballroom in Somerville Massachusetts to honor our old friend Chet aka Richard Rooney, owner and booker at the legendary punk rock dive bar "Chet's Last Call".
The two epic shows were recorded multitrack and filmed with multiple high definition cameras and professional lighting. Many musicians and friends flew back to Boston for these shows from across the country and internationally. We also interviewed over 40 rock stars, writers, former employees, family and friends as well as collected wonderful old video, posters, photos and memorabilia from Chet's.
Chet's friends were interviewed and shared their stories of his kindness to young misfit bands in need of a venue to get their music out to the world. Or, as a man who had been there and understood and would give you a shoulder to lean on. Chet helped so many and they all are helping to make this film become a reality.
More money is needed for editing studio hours, final mixing, DVD duplication, travel, transcriptions of all the interviews, promotion and marketing.
We need your help to properly document these stories and events in an important film about a historic man with a heart of gold who motivated and helped so many musicians who are still making music decades later.
Here is a message from Chet's niece Sarah Henderson.... "Thanks for all the great work you are doing. "Chet" was my uncle and godfather and was wholeheartedly dedicated to the Boston music scene. I got an early introduction to it at age 12. I am thankful his legacy of music is still alive and thank you from the bottom of our collective heart for what you are attempting to do."
Let’s show Sarah that we are not attempting to do this….. We ARE doing this!! !
All donations of $10 or more get a free download of the films inspired live 18 song soundtrack of the memorial concerts. It is online and currently only available to people who donate. After donating $10 or more please contact us through the comments tab today to get your download code and/or we will send you your secret one time link to the full album/soundtrack to your facebook PM.
Check out the 8 minute featurette film included here for a taste.
Please help. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to finish the film and to share the story and mission of this amazing man and his unforgettable bar.
Help spread the word! Donate, share this link, and tell all your friends.
This is the story of CHET’S LAST CALL “Ground zero of the underground Boston music scene in the 1980’s” and of its owner Richard (Chet) Rooney, a man who came full circle in his far too short life.
Chet died suddenly in his sleep on December 10th 2015. He helped countless bands get their start from 1982 to 1987. All the bands in this documentary got a lot of tough love and inspiration from Chet early in their now long careers. Later in life, Chet went on to help many of these same people get clean as a drug and alcohol counselor. Having been there and kicked it himself, Chet knew how to help. He was the youngest club owner in Boston and related to the music and the people who made that music like no other.
So, we decided to have an old fashioned Irish wake, Chet’s Last Call style: put on a show, film it, record it and make this documentary to honor our old friend, his beloved dive bar and to continue his mission to help people trapped in the bonds of addiction. A portion of all proceeds from this documentary will be used to help fund addiction treatment and prevention centers throughout the country
On February 12th and May 21st 2016 fourteen bands including Dogzilla, Bim Skala Bim, Dogmatics, Pajama Slave Dancers, Liz Borden Group, Moose and the Mudbugs,, The Real Kids, Xanna Don't , Randy Black , The Hopelessly Obscure, Classic Ruins, Chelsea Clutch, Joe Harvard, Harlequin, AEF, Linda Viens, The Choirboys and several special guests, family and friends all gathered at Once Ballroom in Somerville Massachusetts to honor our old friend Chet aka Richard Rooney, owner and booker at the legendary punk rock dive bar "Chet's Last Call".
The two epic shows were recorded multitrack and filmed with multiple high definition cameras and professional lighting. Many musicians and friends flew back to Boston for these shows from across the country and internationally. We also interviewed over 40 rock stars, writers, former employees, family and friends as well as collected wonderful old video, posters, photos and memorabilia from Chet's.
Chet's friends were interviewed and shared their stories of his kindness to young misfit bands in need of a venue to get their music out to the world. Or, as a man who had been there and understood and would give you a shoulder to lean on. Chet helped so many and they all are helping to make this film become a reality.
More money is needed for editing studio hours, final mixing, DVD duplication, travel, transcriptions of all the interviews, promotion and marketing.
We need your help to properly document these stories and events in an important film about a historic man with a heart of gold who motivated and helped so many musicians who are still making music decades later.
Here is a message from Chet's niece Sarah Henderson.... "Thanks for all the great work you are doing. "Chet" was my uncle and godfather and was wholeheartedly dedicated to the Boston music scene. I got an early introduction to it at age 12. I am thankful his legacy of music is still alive and thank you from the bottom of our collective heart for what you are attempting to do."
Let’s show Sarah that we are not attempting to do this….. We ARE doing this!! !
All donations of $10 or more get a free download of the films inspired live 18 song soundtrack of the memorial concerts. It is online and currently only available to people who donate. After donating $10 or more please contact us through the comments tab today to get your download code and/or we will send you your secret one time link to the full album/soundtrack to your facebook PM.
Check out the 8 minute featurette film included here for a taste.
Please help. Our goal is to raise $10,000 to finish the film and to share the story and mission of this amazing man and his unforgettable bar.
Help spread the word! Donate, share this link, and tell all your friends.
Organizer and beneficiary
Dan Vitale
Organizer
Wellfleet, MA
Ted Vitale
Beneficiary