Steve Hideg - Help for an old drummer
Great story by Steve Lopez from LA Times, about a great American, 86 year old Itsvan "Steve" Hideg. Immigrated from Hungary after WWll, fulfilled his life's passion and become a jazz musician, drummer, bandleader. Not a gold rush for everyone in Cali, now living in LA, $1000/mth apartment on $900 /mth SS. Plays little gigs in LA, dressed to the nines, smile on his face, not one complaint. I can't do this justice, please read Steve Lopez' article/watch Francine Orr's video.
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-lopez-senior-drummer-20170805-htmlstory.html
Imagine what just a couple of hundred dollars a month would do for this guy. Thanks for any (and I mean any) help. Tim Lawler.
**Update 9/9/17** Quick Steve update. This guy keeps getting more and more gigs. Mentioned about three weeks ago Steve was asked to participate in a musical charity event for high schools. This event, EIF Presents: XQ Super School Live, was on prime-time on all major networks across the US last night. They did a cool version of "Come Together" with every type of musical talent out there (young and old). Our guy Steve got his 4 seconds (at 46 secs in the 4 min video below). Hell, Ringo only got about 20 secs, U2, 15 secs; so we'll take it... Tim
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6goVz4qvCsY
**Update 8/27/17**
Hi all. Seems like a good time for a Steve update. Just got back to SF (brother Bill and I visited Steve and the band on Fri night). Great night, huge turn-out for Steve. Phillip Williams and his band really put on a show, including Gary Bivona and three other horns masters. Three hour show at Callender's Grill, a great time was had by all.
Couple of super fans showed up including Howard Brodwin who had Steve sign his "Super Drummers" skin, which included royalty of the drum world (and now Steve). Also another great fan presented Steve with a beautiful framed version of the LA Times article. Francine Orr (LA Times Photographer) who helped spearhead this whole thing (and took those great photos and video) was also on hand for the celebration, plus Meals on Wheels (also part of the team).
I tried to load some pics on here as well as some vids I took (have included some links to the vids on YouTube). Steve is a rock star down there; extremely grateful and a very happy man. I'm just happy to be a FOB now... Everyone who has donated or will donate should have a big smile on their face. Was a whirlwind weekend, plus Mayweather fight at a great LA sports bar on Sat; I'm beat; but happy. Thanks to all again, mission accomplished... :) Again, if doable, maybe visit here from time to time, add $5 here and there, spread the word... and a remember, "Find your Steve..." Tim
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P3NybqPkYE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs4UjM-L1mw&t=2s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIH4nufyNME
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-q_0kYMINM
Bill, Steve and Tim (basically Steve in a Lawler sandwich)
Howard Brodwin had Steve sign his Super Skin (drumming royalty, now including Steve).
A Super Fan presenting Steve with a great framed version of LA Times article.
Some of the "Enablers"... Phillip Williams (Steve's bandleader), Bill, Sara (Meals on Wheels), Francine (LA Times Photographer), Tim
The Crew in action...
**Update 8/17/17 1:53 PM PDT**
Hi all, another update. Chatted with Steve again today. He's hot news in SoCal (even for LA). Numerous charity and social services/orgs have reached out to him in the past week or so, offering assistance, friendship and even some gigs. Tomorrow he is the guest drummer for charity gig in LA (involving Samuel L Jackson, Viola Davis and others). He's literally practicing "Come Together" (Beatles) right now, thinks he'll be ready to perform it for tomorrow’s gig (not an easy piece to learn). Plus, from the LA Times article, this GoFundMe site, and word of mouth, etc, he's been invited to sit in/record with various artists and studios around LA. I told him he's more famous now than 40 years ago. We'll probably end up seeing him on the MTV Awards... ;)
His funds have pushed to his bank account; plus the GFM account will be swept once a week and dumped into his bank account. I don't know what he's more happy about, the money (definitely) or the outreach/attention (he can't believe it).
As I stated earlier, Phillip Williams and his band (Steve, drummer), not playing this Friday at Callender's Grill on Wilshire in LA (closed for renovations); but will definitely be playing next Fri 8/25. My brother Bill and I are heading down to catch him. Would welcome the chance to meet any of you.
That's it for now. As I mentioned, stop by every once and a while, check the account, drop in $5-10 if doable. Actually, the way he's going, Steve may set up a GFM account for us and fund it... Tim
**Update 8/9/17 2:27 PM PDT**
$17K+, Funds to date have pushed to Steve's account, future donations will push weekly. Please come back and visit from time to time. One less latte per month could go a long way for Steve... Tim
**Update 8/7/17 11:58 AM PDT**
North of $10K... amazing. Spoke with Mr Hideg (Steve) a few hours ago, he can't believe this (and that's when it was $6.7K); again, he said he can't thank everyone enough and welcomes all to visit with the band. He now knows he has friends out there and is loved... He's not too tech savy so I'm working with some of his trusted advisors who can help him set up access to GFM to input his bank account info to draw down the funds. Also, I've set up an email address for him:
I'll manage it until we can find a way for him to access emails. Told him a lot of people want to connect with him, told him this is the best way (he wants to learn). If you want to send him an email, go ahead; I will monitor it and give him access when he's ready. Tim
**Update 8/6/17 6:04PM PDT**
My brother Bill and I just chatted with Mr Hideg. Super nice man (just like video). He can't believe this was set up for him and can't believe all of the people that care and have contributed so far. He wanted to personally pass on his thanks. I'm contacting GFM in the morning to see the best way to pass these proceeds to Steve (he doesn't have an email, etc). He has many friends that will assist; we'll take care of him. Thanks to all again. If there's such a thing as karma, you all have a bunch of it now... Tim
**Update 8/6/17 1:35PM PDT**
My brother Bill spoke with Phillip Williams (pianist in article that works with Steve). He mentioned this whole thing to Steve and he is thrilled and grateful. We are going to call Steve later today to set up how best to get him these funds. Keep passing the word...
Hope it's not necessary, but just in case, I'm a real person (not a Russian bot): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-lawler/
**Message from Tim on 2/8/17**
Hi all, Tim (Steve's original GFM organizer) here. I’m sure you’ve all seen Steve‘s recent note about the hearing loss. I mentioned way back when, to all of you very generous donors, may be necessary to occasionally stop back here for some additional help for Steve. As you know, and I’ve gotten to know over the past six months, he’s a humble guy. It’s criminal that a musician like Steve is losing his hearing. I did some quick off-the-cuff math; if all 328 original donors average a $17 donation, the drummer gets his hearing back, simple as that... I’ve covered three via $50. Anything you can give will help. As always, thanks. Tim
