On March 11th, 2002 in New York City, The Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Foundation honored the legendary Frank Barsalona with their 15th annual Silver Clef Award for outstanding achievement and contribution to the music industry. Frank Barsalona is the renowned promoter and agent who, through hard work and perseverance, helped create rock-n-roll as we know it today. Working initially with historic bands such as The Who and Jimi Hendrix to some of the greatest acts today like U2 and Bruce Springsteen, Frank Barsalona has worked with just about everyone in the business.

The Award was presented to Frank during a private dinner and auction at New York's Bowery Ballroom. The award presenters included Bono of U2 and Bruce Springsteen as well as a video appearances by Pete Townshend and several others.

Some of the items available for auction included: Private Tennis lessons with superstar Andre Agassi, a round of golf with Steve Van Zandt at his private club, a chance to drive a 2000 horsepower Monster Truck over crushed cars, a Baldwin Baby Grand piano and our very own Gretsch Traveling Wilbury guitar. The duo of auctioneers, Gary Dell'Abate of the Howard Stern Show and music industry executive, Michael Klenfner, kept the bidding active with their industry humor.

It was a highly successful event for the industry and the Foundation. The Gretsch Company was honored to contribute to such a great cause. In addition, the night was full of a proud sense of patriotism as New York City launched the beginning of the Twin Lights Memorial at dusk.

The Nordoff-Robbins Foundation is a charitable organization that provides music therapy for a broad range of people, including disabled and autistic children, individuals under psychiatric care, self-referred adults seeking a creative approach to emotional difficulties or personal development, and individuals with medical problems and in geriatric care.

Other Silver Clef Award Winners include: Neil Young, The Who, Bon Jovi, John Mellencamp, ZZ Top, Pete Townshend, Ahmet Ertegun, Eric Clapton, Bill Curbishley, Aerosmith, David Foster, Phil Collins and Tony Smith.

Click here for more about Frank Barsalona.