Geezer Butler and Paul Rodgers to Be Honored at All-Star Adopt the Arts Charity Concert

Two icons of classic rock — Geezer Butler, the legendary bassist and lyricist for Black Sabbath, and Paul Rodgers, the powerhouse vocalist behind Bad Company — will be honored at the Adopt the Arts Foundation’s 2026 Sound and Vision Awards. The celebration is set for March 2, 2026, at the historic Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs, California.

A Star-Studded Celebration

The gala will feature live performances from Rodgers, Butler, and a star-studded backing band led by Matt Sorum, former Guns N’ Roses drummer and co-founder of Adopt the Arts. The nonprofit supports and funds music education programs for thousands of elementary school students across Los Angeles and California’s Coachella Valley.

The event will pay tribute to the music and lasting influence of both artists, showcasing songs from their storied careers. The night’s lineup includes Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), Corey Taylor (Slipknot), Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme), Robert DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots), Billy Duffy (The Cult), and Phil X (Bon Jovi). Additional special guests will be announced closer to the event.

Emmy Award-winning actress Jane Lynch will serve as the evening’s host.

Tickets for the 2026 Sound and Vision Awards are currently available at PalmSpringsPlazaTheatre.com, ranging from $100 to $1,500. The top-tier tickets include a pre-show meet-and-greet and a commemorative poster.

A limited number of VIP donor packages — for contributions of $5,000 or more — offer premium seating and access to a private reception with the performers on March 1 at a Palm Springs estate.

About the Honorees

Geezer Butler, a founding member of Black Sabbath, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with the band in 2006. His influential bass lines and dark, poetic lyrics helped shape the sound and spirit of heavy metal.

Paul Rodgers, who co-founded Bad Company, will be inducted into the Rock Hall in November 2025. Before forming Bad Company, Rodgers fronted the acclaimed U.K. rock group Free, best known for the classic hit “All Right Now.”

Rodgers’ Collaboration with Adopt the Arts

Earlier in 2025, Rodgers teamed up with Matt Sorum and members of Adopt the Arts’ honor choir, The Changels, to record a new version of Bad Company’s 1979 hit “Rock ’n’ Roll Fantasy.”

The recording took place at GoodNoise Studio in Palm Springs, co-produced by Sorum and Bruce Witkin. Rodgers lent his vocals alongside the young choir, while Sorum handled the drums.

A video featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the session is now available on the Adopt the Arts YouTube channel. The performance will also appear in an upcoming documentary about The Changels, exploring the transformative power of music education in children’s lives.

Through initiatives like this, Adopt the Arts provides students from underserved communities the opportunity to collaborate with professional musicians, participate in mentoring sessions, and experience the magic of recording and performing.

Made up of elementary school students from the Palm Springs area, The Changels focus on songs that promote themes of hope, unity, and creativity — values at the heart of the foundation’s mission.