Dick Marx Foundation Event Honors Music Pioneer & Benefits DePaul Music Students

Richard Marx, Kenny Loggins and the rising country group SHeDAISY will headline the "Music For Life 2" benefit concert at 8:00 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave. Tickets for the concert are $100, $150, $200 and $500 and are available through Ticketmaster: (312) 559-1212.

The concert honors the memory of the late Dick Marx, a DePaul University alumnus who achieved enormous success as a commercial music pioneer and Chicago musician. Proceeds from the concert are distributed by the Dick Marx Foundation to a scholarship fund for students studying at DePaul’s School of Music. The foundation was formed last year by Dick Marx’s widow, Ruth, and their son, Richard, who has had an equally remarkable career in music as a singer, songwriter and producer.

"I am thrilled to be presenting the Music For Life 2 concert," Richard Marx said. "In celebrating my wonderful father with The Dick Marx Foundation, the gift of music education will once again be given to talented young musicians from DePaul’s School of Music. With my friends Kenny Loggins and SHeDAISY, we’ll deliver an unforgettable night of music."

School of Music Dean Donald Casey said: "Richard and Ruth are remembering Dick in a way that is consistent with one of his happiest activities. Dick loved to find and nurture talent, just as he was discovered and nurtured as a student at DePaul. Through the generosity of the Marx family, Dick’s memory lives on through scholarships that help talented DePaul musicians with real need."

"We’re proud to remember one of our most distinguished alumni through the Dick Marx Scholars and to work with Richard, an extraordinary musician and remarkable human being" Casey said.

Like last year, several Dick Marx Scholars and DePaul student string musicians will have an opportunity to perform at the concert. "It’s exciting for our students to be part of a major-league concert like this and to work with such incredible talent," Casey said.

Dick Marx was known as the "King of the Jingles," composing and producing memorable advertising tunes such as "Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun" for Wrigley’s Doublemint Gum, "Two Scoops of Raisins in Kellogg’s Raisin Bran," and "Aren’t You Glad You Used Dial?" At the height of his commercial career, his Chicago music house produced nearly two-thirds of the commercials heard on network television. As a jazz pianist, he played virtually every club in town. He also wrote music for films and television, including the theme to Siskel and Ebert’s original "At the Movies." Marx, 73, died in 1997 from auto accident injuries. Honoring his memory, the first "Music for Life" concert last fall was a sold-out event featuring electric performances by Marx, Michael Bolton, Luther Vandross, Kenny G., Kevin Cronin of REO Speedwagon and Fee Waybill of the Tubes.

Richard Marx’s credits include three Grammy award nominations, 18 top 10 singles, and five studio albums that have sold over 25 million records worldwide. His hits include "Right Here Waiting," "Should’ve Known Better," "Endless Summer Nights," "Hold on to the Nights" and "Hazard." A native of Highland Park, Ill., Marx is currently preparing a new album, while also writing and producing for other artists. He wrote and co-produced the new Barbra Streisand/Vince Gill duet single, "If You Ever Leave Me" featured on her upcoming CD and also wrote and produced a track for multi-platinum sensation N' Sync's forthcoming CD.

Co-sponsors of "Music for Life 2" include American Airlines, The Allerton Crowne Plaza and WNND-FM. Donations to The Dick Marx Foundation can be made c/o Bernie Gudvi, G.C.O., 15260 Ventura Blvd., Suite 2100, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403.