text: As it turns out, Wednesday's Rock to the Rescue benefit concert at Bloomington, Ill.'s U.S. Cellular Coliseum was aptly named. Although organizers won't have a final tally until early next week, they already know that they raised more than $300,000, with additional funds still to come as online donations and merchandise sales continue.
  But as the house lights went down, more than 7,000 fans at the sold-out concert would soon discover that more surprises were waiting in the wings. Ted Nugent, a late addition to the lineup, joined Styx and his former Damn Yankees bandmate Tommy Shaw for a few songs. REO Speedwagon also welcomed both Larry the Cable Guy (the benefit's MC) and fellow Illinois native Richard Marx to the stage.
  [It] turns out he had been sitting on the porch of his mother Eunice's house in East Peoria when the sky darkened. He knew exactly what was coming. Luckily, the tornadoes missed them.
  Gary was in great spirits when he walked into the dressing room. We hugged one another, I told him how happy I was that he came, and he expressed his gratitude for the invitation. Dave [Amato] had set up one of his Marshall amps for Gary to play through. Gary brought along a vintage Les Paul, and the stage was set. When I introduced 'the guy who this band wouldn't be here without' and Richrath came up for 'Ridin' the Storm Out,' 7,000 people went crazy. The response was arm-hair raising ... We all felt it. It was fun to look over to my left and see Richrath digging in and playing like only he can. It was a night for the ages.