Dr. Kenneth Einhorn wants a cure for diabetes. His son has Type 1 and so do the children of his friend, Dr. Jeremy Jaffe. Together, the doctors put together a great organization called Rockin’ Docs to raise money for JDRF- an organization devoted to researching and finding a cure for juvenile diabetes. After the success of last year’s 1st rock concert, featuring doctors who know how to rock out, the team was contacted by more doctors and more bands wanting to be a part of the cause. Now, in it’s second year, Rockin’ Docs is about to take the stage at the Electric Factory in hopes of raising even more money for JDRF.
Dr. Jaffe (L) and Dr. Einhorn (R) Ready to Rock
BH: Were you musicians first or doctors? I assume musicians…but with all the studying to become a doctor, when did you find the time to rock out?
KE: Yes, both of us were drummers before we entered medical school. Dr. Jeremy Jaffe (my Co-Creator/Chair) was very active playing with his band playing on the Jersey shore music circuit. I played with bands more on the local scene where I grew up in northern New Jersey. One of the premises of starting an event like these stems from the fact that many doctors throughout time have also been accomplished musicians. It’s been hypothesized that playing music provides a creative outlet and diversion for the ordered scientific side that physicians exhibit “on the job.” It’s essential that we have an energy release like this in our lives, or else we’d go crazy!
BH: Tell me about the bands that will be playing the Electric Factory show. Are they all bands you know from being friends with other doctors? Or did other doctors contact you to participate once they heard about Rockin Docs?
KE: We are extremely excited about the bands we have this year- not only from the tremendous talent of each band, but also from the level of enthusiasm and energy they possess. Osler Circle is a Beatles-cover band which include five doctors from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Rose’s Cross is a hard-rockin band (featuring orthopedic surgeon Dr. Guy Lee from Doylestown Hospital and Abington Hospital) and play songs from the 70s to 90s, as well as originals. My band, Amblur, plays tunes predominantly from year 2000 on. Dr. Jaffe’s band, Rightback, is a soulful rock and R&B band playing many of the songs that made them popular along the Jersey shore years ago. We are especially excited to have with us this year Dr. Suzie Brown (cardiologist from Einstein Medical Center) who was named “Best of Philly” for music talent by Philadelphia magazine in 2010. Suzie is a country/folk/rock singer/songwriter and a rising star emerging out of the Philly music scene. For our first event last year, our core was predominantly doctor-musicians we knew and reached out to. With the success of our first show last year, we had the privilege of being contacted by several doctor-musicians, some of which we could not accommodate this year.
BH: How did you and Jaffe meet? I understand you both have children with type 1…did you meet at an event regarding the children, or at work?
KE: As we both spend a good deal of our time in the Abington Memorial Hospital OR, we have know each other several years. I always knew Jeremy had type 1 diabetes himself, but did not realize both of his children had it until I talked with him at length after my youngest son was diagnosed as well. I can tell you that we both came up with pretty much the exact same concept for this event while sitting together at a JDRF annual Gala fundraising event.
BH: What else can be expected at the show beside the awesome bands?
KE: First and foremost, we are fortunate to once again have WMGK’s Andre Gardner back as host and MC for the show. He is fantastic and his enthusiasm is limitless. We may have a few other guest DJ appearances. Also, people will have the opportunity to bid on CD’s autographed by Van Halen and Carlos Santana specifically for this event as well as a special auction item by Merril Reese (the Voice of the Eagles). We’ll have concert T-shirts for sale like last year. All proceeds go to JDRF as we continue the fight against diabetes. Lastly, there will be tables with educational information about JDRF, type 1 diabetes, and diabetes in general.
BH: This is the 2nd annual event you’re doing for JDRF. What other events have you done? What’s coming up?
KE: All of our energy (outside from Medicine, of course) is focused on making Rockin Docs for Diabetes Cure a Philly annual tradition. We have ideas for evolving the concepts of the show in the future, but our undivided efforts are on this year’s event. One thing is for certain, our goal will always be the same- no family should ever have to deal with the pain and anxiety in learning a loved one has developed diabetes. And no one should ever have to carry the heavy burden of this disease throughout their lifetime. By raising money for JDRF towards research for a cure, we know one day our goals will become reality.
Tickets can be purchased in advance or day of the show. All money goes to JDRF.
Sunday, April 29th, 1:30-5:00pm at the Electric Factory.
http://www.rockindocs.org
