SamboraBlog

America supports you: 'Rockin' the Corps' premieres on big screen

Submitted by: American Forces Press Service
Story Identification #: 2005627124237
Story by - Army Sgt. Sara Wood

WASHINGTON (June 27, 2005) -- Marines, former Marines, family members and guests were treated to a big-screen showing of the "Rockin' the Corps" concert June 26 at the Regal Gallery Place Stadium 14 theater here.

The original concert, which featured performances by Destiny's Child, Godsmack, Hootie and the Blowfish, KISS and others, was held April 1 in front of an estimated 45,000 people at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. The concert was filmed so it could be broadcast later to servicemembers who weren't able to attend, said Joseph E. Robert Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of JE Robert Companies and executive producer of the concert.

"You couldn't possibly buy a ticket to see that talent all in one place, so we wanted an opportunity for other servicemembers to see it, no matter where they were," Robert said.

Rockin' the Corps will be shown today at 7 p.m. at select Regal, United Artists, and Edwards movie theaters across the country, Robert said, and starting July 4 will be free on iNDEMAND Pay-Per-View for the rest of the year.

In addition to the headlining bands, Rockin' the Corps featured appearances by Cedric the Entertainer, Ted Nugent, Richie Sambora, Carmen Electra, Louie Anderson, Cindy Crawford, Jay Mohr, the San Diego Charger cheerleaders, and the Hooters girls. All the performers pledged their support for the troops and thanked them for the work they do.

It was easy to get celebrities to perform at the concert, Robert said. In fact, he had to turn away a lot of artists who wanted to perform when they found out what the concert was for, he said.

Robert, whose son recently deployed to Iraq with the Marines, said he wanted to produce this concert to thank the troops for their service and to show support.

"It's important to show that America supports them in what they're doing," he said. "That everybody supports them in what they're doing."